Emerging from lunch we suddenly came upon hundreds of people lining the roads, waving flags, and cheering their favourite automobile as it sped past – the biggest cheer going to a tiny yellow Fiat that chugged past before I had noticed it between two huge German marks.
How glorious to see so many beautiful old cars spit and polished and dressed for the occasion – and the sun smiling kindly on all the open-tops and delicate costumes.
The Mille Miglia event was first held in 1927 – initiated by the Automobile Club of Italy – this years surprise participant was Rowan Atkinson who cunningly contrived to stay comfortably in the top hundred.
The event was won by Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca in an 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans.
We were offered flags and took them, irrespective of National preferences, and waved with cheerful abandon at all participants. A joyful interlude.
David entering into the spirit of the Mille Miglia
