Daily Sketch No.59 Ape in the Shade, Barga, Tuscany

Barga Vecchia has many narrow streets and alleyways. This is Via di Mezzo, the main street that goes from one end to the other side and is possible to drive a car down particularly if you have a small car or an Ape, a three wheeled vehicle made by Piaggio who make the famous Vespa scooter. The word Ape means Bee in Italian because these vehicles buzz around making the sound of a Bee. They are like the transit van in Britain, a workhorse carrying light goods. Small, economical and cheap to run, they can get into places where no car can go. Many are used by older men and agricultural workers but even young teenage boys drive them, customising them with stereo systems and sporty wheels. I want one!