I must admit this trip has caught me out weatherwise. I left my "winter time"with daily temperatures around 22-26oC and full sunshine shorts and singlet clothing to arrive in what is always shown as the beaches of Europe only to find many hotels closed until June. No beaches opened, well you are free to wander, just no services or lifeguards and daily overcast weather where both the woollen katmandu unders and a woollen jumper are needed under my heavy weight touring jacket. The advantage is cheap accommodation at the "prime locations"eg my current Hotel Baia International Spa where I am paying 20-30% of the normal rates but often have the inconvenience of no restaurants open and closed pools.

The other upside is parking this 5 storey hotel has 8 yes eight only car parking spots. Tonight as I look down at my parked covered motorcycle there are still six vacant at 8pm. Breakfast this morning had only 12 people including children,

As this hotel has an indoor heated pool I paid the additional 20E "resort fee" per day and when I went down this morning a sign on the door "spa closed no admission"they hadnt charged the additional fee when I asked at the desk but annoying.

So suitabily dressed I ventured down to the beach and did manage a refreshing dip in almost still water before walking the length of this beach to the harbour where for 3 days a boat show is being held.

As i was there mid morning I was almost alone as Italian lifestyles begin when the shops reopen or open about 2-3pm and continue to the early hours with restaurant often not opened before 7pm and the more exclusive one opening at 10pm. I remember that from my stay in Florence in 2013 where our apartment was located above the central square.

Rimini is known n Italy as the playground of the rich & famous but then other areas also claim this title but the great harbour and boat prices reflect this title.

I looked at a nice new cruiser it was for sale at 4.1MEuro's so bouts $6mAud.

The show highlighted the water sporting aspect of Rimini life with every type of craft down from the $M's cruisers to stand up paddle boards (some sporting internal electric motors for the less fit).

Walking the normally closed marina's showed a diverse set of craft with a fair sprinking of historical wooden craft see photo of Goletha Verde) next to now privately owned ex Navy or Coast Guard heavy vessels to humble tenders and Zodiac inflatables.

Sailing craft were in the majority and this is reflected in the photo album accompaning this blog.

The marina sports a wide range of uniquely translated signage often on par with what we get in Chinese translations to English. It was a pleasure however to see that sign showing my private parking spot for the supplied white Lambo! This car serves as a courtesy car for those with marina berths, but unless you "qualify"a "tip"of 150Euro's is required per trip.

The other unique feature that grabbed my attention is the emergency exit turrets from the top of the outer harbour wall into the safety of the inner harbour in times of heavy sea's. To gain access you must climb up a 1.5m brick wall as the doors are down stairs. However they are finished unlike the Hotel Nazi perhaps after WW2 construction stopped.

I also took the opportunity to do a comapision photo of a small Fiat 500 next to it's little brother the Fiat Panda. Even it was a giant next to the red & black Eco car. I have no problems with these Micro cars except when one is riding at Autostrade speeds and they are happily cruising at 80km's.

I called at some 8 different Riistorante to see what food was on offer and opening times before settling down to food from the local supermarket. I purchased a 1.5l of Cola, 25og of Brie cheese,a packet of savory biscuits, 2 banana's and 500g of fresh strawberry's for the total sum of $6. Food is cheap I saw 1.5l bottles of either still or fermente sparkling water for 20c all inclusive of environmental levels, salt for 29c a kg packet meat ie steak was arond $8kg and sausages about $2kg.