Susie's Report No 33

Buon giorno ( soon to be Bonjour), to everyone, Hello and Arrivederla from Italy, so far we have been to...

TUSCANY: - Montalcino, gorgeous wine region, all the vines have done what they do best, the leaves have shed the vines and they are all looking gnarly & ready for winter and so are the trees surrounding all this beautiful mountainous countryside.

SIENA: We are at a campsite in Casciano di Murlo  We were the only ones here, great spot with fabulous facilities.

I must digress here, I have to take you back 170 kms  down the track to explain. We were in a free sosta with 4 other vans, then by nightfall there was only us. We parked under a security light, all o.k. I woke with a start in the early hrs of the morning, usually about 3am ( my best worry/think time ) and I started to quietly panic. I didn’t really know where we where …….90% of the town was closed down and there was no one around, my concern was if  there was trouble or if anything happened health wise to Terry,  what would I do. This is not very clever!!!!!! - My ignorance of technology (my fault) stupid!!!!  I am relearning the G.P.S. & the TOM TOM so I know what to do in all situations. It’s rare that we are totally isolated (alone) but it does happen.

PISA: For someone i.e. ME…. who didn’t appreciate History at school, I’m sure stuck on it now, wow!!!  The leaning Tower of Pisa, what a site to behold, (not to be missed) the photos tell the story.

 

The town itself is picturesque, with narrow streets and wide piazzas. We wandered around for a couple of hours, they have very “upmarket" markets, a colourful sight.  We had the best Cappuchino in all Italy at Pisa, it was HOT... not lukewarm -( but I believe this is how its served in Italy)  - Darn!!!I It was from McDonalds McCafe! Would you believe it?

I must also tell you we have no cookbooks/recipes in H.H. Its nearly 12 months gone, so we have been relying on instinct/memory and after a few wines/beers we have become quiet creative to say the least, especially in Italy with all the pastas etc. anything goes. T.Lee has perfected a perfect Risotto with Porcini mushrooms. yum…...

Le CINQUE TERRE: the 5 lands.  We have climbed this mountain and H.H. our little workhorse loved the challenge of the climb and the narrow roads.  We are about 1000ft above sea level at a camp sosta and we are the only ones here, surrounded by Olive and Bay trees, what a view.

Next day we work our way back down to the town of Levanto to catch the train. We decided on 3 of the towns as it was a funny old day weather wise.  We had a very helpful woman at the train ticket office who spoke good English, she suggested it was the best alternative as most of the shops were closed for the season, so 3 it was.  There are fabulous walking tracks between the villages but because its been so wet, we decided to hop on and off the train. Monterosso, Vernazza & Riomaggiore were the chosen towns. Each unique and beautiful.

We could only imagine what these would be like in Summer. Full of life and very busy.

Anchovies are a traditional dish of this region. We stayed at a campsite Fornaci al Mare, Deiva Marina and met up with Marcia, Pete and LuLu again.

Still moving N.E. along the coast, it is so stunning on a non rainy day with the sun shining. We are at FINALE LIGURE, a sosta on a ocean wall facing the sea.

Today is a day of celebrations here “:The Imaculate Conception” (public holiday) We couldn’t work out why there were so many camper vans parked here!  We went for a great walk and weaved in and out of the huge market stalls and carnival sideshows set up for the holiday and back through the side streets. Most shops have their Christmas decorations and sparkling lights, up it’s Dec 8th. So we decided to join in!

 Next couple of days we spend at Diano Marina another fabulous coastal town (actually they all are ) with beautifully decorated shops. The campsite had a winter tariff of 22 euros for 3 days incl. power ...yeah!!! Wandering around I decided to find some ducks to feed with our excess bread, and as I passed a little Italian man, he burst into song at the washing up station. He was having a lovely time scrubbing his pots and pans and serenading the area. And of course we are feeding the local stray cats. They also love bread, they know how to work a couple of suckers like us.  We now keep a stock of “Whiskas” type biscuits in H.H. We sadly patted a grateful Tabby goodbye with a tummy full of these (unfortunately most strays will get up into the engine bay for some warmth). A couple of campsites back we saw Pete shooing four out of his - I thought he’d actually lost the plot, untill I realised what he was doing.

Off we go again and ended up down a very skinny road, we could do our window shopping from the comfort of H.H. quite incredible - nice beds, mattresses, shoe and camera shops etc., I’m not joking !!! Every where are potted Poinsettias and Cyclamens, here is me thinking the later are a delicate plant, not so, they are out in all weather conditions.

SAN REMO: As the coast gets prettier and closer to Monaco, so does the size of the boats increase.

Very large Motor Yachts/Ships start to appear.Goodness me the money involved.

 

The Gold Coast in OZ has seen nothing like these, there’s nowhere big enough there and we are not even in Monaco yet! It’s almost obscene, (jealousy is a curse).  We rode around another one today goggle eyed. Speaking to one of the crew they mentioned that on “Stand Down” when the owner was not on board, they had a crew of 20! Double that when they went to sea.

It was nice to get back to H.H. and the real world and a big bowl of home made chicken and vegy soup with crusty bread. Yum !!  Our first ride together for a while was a mere 30 klms on a converted railway line, even the old tunnels were fun but chilly.

It’s starting to get colder. Winter is arriving. We both had very sore back sides from the ride and my old legs were tired out.   

We’ve been in Italy for 3 months now, we’ve seen a lot, and a lot we’ll have to see next year, It’s been fantastic even with the lunatic drivers.  Most campsites/sostas have only 3 amps for electricity which means, no jugs, no heater, no space oven, so its back to L.P.G, when you get 6 amps its a bloody bonus…….

It’s a shame our passports don’t get stamped changing countries as ours would of been very interesting with all the crisscrossing we have done, especially on our bikes. 

We’re off to France tomorrow via St. Tropez….this only for a couple of days, then onto Spain for Christmas. (Barcelona) We crossed into France and after paying so many tolls (about 40 euros) in two days, the last one got us! It would not accept our 5 euro note, (we had run out of coin) so holding up the traffic, I had to jump out of H.H. run around the back,( put the steps back up) wave to the other motorists (trying to be nice about all this.) Terry couldn’t get out as they are narrow lanes. I shove the note in, the boom gate goes up. Terry has to move quickly, I have to jam myself up against the machine so he could get out, I then have to run and then nearly get clocked on the head with the gate coming back down, then run to H.H. (put the steps back down) jump inside, (put the steps back up) (as you will all remember what happens if you don’t!!!! ) lock the door and we’re off again. All in a days work on the road………? 

So everyone have a wonderful, safe, Happy Christmas & New Year. We'll be writing of our adventures/misadventures for 2015,  Enjoy!!!! With Lots of love to all ,and the best of the seasons greetings.

From Susie, Terry and H.H.  ( "Henry Hymer” )  X X X

Susie's Report No 32

Buonasera to all, nearly- Merry Christmas to all,

We have left Sicily, and we arrive back at GIZZERIA to Hangloose Bay, we return Kym’s book and say hello to all the dogs, the puppies have grown so much in the 3 weeks and we catch up with Marcia, Pete and their dog LuLu ( we met in Sicily).

They are from Newlyn/Penzance in England.  We are both heading in the same direction so we team up, so after a couple of days R & R (ha,ha!) we head of to a quaint town DIAMANTE/CIRELLA. Another great location on the beach.

It’s getting colder now and with the sun setting around 4.25pm it was decided that a good old fashioned fire would be just what we need and the two boy scouts would be able to reinvent themselves.  Next day Marcia, LuLu and I come across an abandoned, rusted, 3 legged B.B.Q, and it’s able to stand unassisted (what a little beauty!!) firewood was next, back down the beach we go gathering driftwood, kindling and some old fence palings, so with an old supermarket brochure shoved underneath, and this goo/gloop that Pete had (non explosive) to kick start us, and Magic!!!!!,

What a lovely sight FIRE!!!! So out come the chairs and our warming liquids, wonderful. This little rusted thing kept us warm and amused for 2 nights. We even found our little b.b.q. in the bowels of H.H. and we went to the local markets and Pete bought fish (sprats). We even cooked chips. The stray cats loved us the next day, we kept the tails and inards for them. As usual the sunsets were brilliant.

 

Time to move on again, we are heading to POMPEI and the Zeus Camping Site. The ruins are an incredible site. This city was completely lost, covered in deadly ash and lava around 79 A.D. Everything that was alive perished. Pompei was non existent, but after its resurrection/excavation, the archaeologists have uncovered the most extraordinary, well advanced civilisation. This has been a tourist attraction for the last 250 years. Mt Vesuvius is classified as the most dangerous in the world i.e. proximity to Napoli = Yikes !!!!!!!

Next day we are on the train 35 mins to SORRENTO and then a bus to POSITANO 55 mins. The AMALFI Coastline is stunning, the roads frightening, especially on  a bus.

O.M.G. with only centimetres  to spare, passing other traffic is horrifying - if you have been here - no need to explain.

We could go no further down the coast than Positano as there had been a huge landslide.

Motorhomes are not allowed on this road (thank god!!!) The return trip was just as hair raising …. T. Lee thinks he should be able to do just about anything after watching the bus driver ( we are in the seat behind him). We wandered around the town of Sorrento before catching the train, its beautiful also. They had their Christmas decorations and lights up ready to twinkle away.

Next day on the road again from Pompei to ROMA 228klms away, we again arrive in our little convoy in a camping site on the outskirts of ROME…..Next day walk to the tram station, then on the bus and what a sight, ruins, ruins, ruins, everywhere. Terry and I head off to the VATICAN SQUARE. It costs 46 euro each to get a fast track queue into the SISTINE CHAPEL - we declined this and watched the ever increasing queue get longer.

 

The square has lots of outdoor speakers, large T.V. screens, cameras and amazing statues that I can’t stop looking at, I’m trying to absorb all this. Walking back we cross over the The Tiber River on the Ponti Mazzini bridge and were stopped by an old man, in an old car trying to scam some money with a handbag for me and a watch for Terry.

It was clever but tragic acting, we gave him back his goods and wandered off. We left him revving up his car, crunching gears and muttering and cursing as he drove off looking for his next victims.  The street Police keep the beggars running for the next alley way with their whistles blowing and there are lots of pick pockets, same the world over. 

 Next stop the PANTHEON - 2000 yrs old  with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, built 27 BC, rebuilt 126 A.D.

 

 

The TREVI FOUNTAIN - was shrouded in scaffolding doing major renovation work, They had erected a walkway over part of the fountain, so not all was lost, and tourism was saved a mighty blow and complaints!!!Ppeople were asked NOT to throw coins into the dry fountain area (but they did).  We had a Chinese lunch in Rome (sacrilege,) but a nice change (In keeping with tradition the noodles were spaghetti). We then walked over to the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, a massive area with 2 Military guards at the top of the stairs, 24 hours a day. The bronze statues way up high of man and horse were incredible.

The COLOSSEUM is aptly known as the “Host” in the Capital, this Travertine structure is very impressive, it could seat 50 thousand spectators - I think we all know what went on here!!!!! As far as entertainment goes, not nice!!!!!

The history surrounding Rome is never ending, amazing to the eye. These colossal structures and buildings are incredible to see and of course lots to comprehend . ROME was founded in 753 BC - not looking too bad for her age, but the cobble stones are a killer, definitely not stiletto territory (sensible shoes required).

BEWARE!!!!!! All relatives & friends…. Terry is now into “Selfies”. He is now an owner of this stick thing  (extendable rod). Your phone is encased in the end of it and it also comes with (extra of course) a blue tooth remote controller ( Joe the Gadget Man is at it again) he’s done some doozies already - coming to our blog/your screen soon.

 

Time has come to leave Roma - we’ll keep you updated, onto Tuscany & Pisa next -  Love to all Susie, Terry = H.H. (he’s had some well deserved rests).  X X 

Susie's Report No 31

Ciao to everyone,

Moving along the coastline and we are at PUNTA BRACCETTO BAY on the Iblea Coastline, Camerina is just a few klms away in the province of Ragusa.  This site is open all year round “thank goodness” we have spent so many useless klms trying to find places open. The beach walks were great to stretch the old legs.

 LICATA: Yet again we arrive it’s closed,two guys come along as we are trying to turn around and gesture to us to follow them, “god we’re trusting” I thought and ended up at a partially closed sosta on a cliff top location at a “closed for the winter” Restaurant. We are the only ones there, Rosa the lovely owner, has a little English, everyone we meet has a relative in Australia and hers is in Leichhardt. She is very proud of her wooden carved sign that says,  "AUSTRALIA 16,766 klms".

Also a clock with our national icons surrounding it. We are parked just near the chicken coop that houses the obvious but also a CAT, an interesting combination.

They also have this huge dog called  “Hugo” who insists on marking his territory on our outside step, to which I insist on going over and washing it off. We think he is a Shar Pei Cross.

 

He loved is scratches from Terry.

 

I walked down some decaying steps to get to the beach for a dip very refreshing, this place has so much character, it’s hey day would have been spectacular.

As usual the sunsets were spectacular.

As I was contemplating this, I could hear planes overhead, the sound was delayed and finally into view came 3 planes, obviously Military Jets, doing circuits over the ocean, so loud, they were grey in colour and shaped like a triangle, I don’t know who’s side they were on, interesting ????.

AGRIGENTO: Is Sicily’s largest Archaeological treasure trove, it sits on a high plateau facing Africa (which is where all the red dust comes from) over the Mediterranean Sea. It still has the culture of ancient Greece. There’s was the golden age between 5C & 6C. BC.  Now that was definitely a long time ago, and you might say they were conquered a lot.!!  We  ended up at a free Sosta for the night, all the facilities that were there were very new & modern, but nothing worked. Water pump not working, power turned off, scenery fantastic,10 steps down and your on the beach.

 I also befriended a black & white stray cat, who loves Mortadella so I gave her a couple of chopped slices out of Terry’s lunch pack, she also finished off our spaghetti bolognese, she was very hungry.

The Valley of the Temples we had to miss, as we missed the turn off and couldn’t turn around, so up, up, the winding roads we go to the city itself and being directed by the Police! We ended up in the assembly area of a street march, Brass Band and all, so all we could do is wave our flag and smile and hot foot it outa there. We really didn’t mean to take another wrong skinny turn, H.H. likes the attention I think, we gave up and came back down the hill. I managed some long distance shots.

MARSALA: The home of the grape ( I can’t remember if this is an aperitif or a dessert wine), it has a lively port and with a mixture of many Tunisian people which influence the area. We drove through the town and around the docks and ended going through to TRAPANI: This is the home of the Salt trade, and is within sight of the Egadi Islands.

It’s a medieval district with lots of narrow streets. H.H. is not good with these!!  We also drove through a town called PURGATORIO! What a great name, tried to get a photo but the sign at the end of the town had fallen off. It would of been a great Kodak moment  -  we escaped purgatory??????

Now how is this for another novel new idea, ( it’s just formed !!!) Forget the owning of a Toilet Block in Venice,(charging 1 euro a use), it is owning a Panel Beating Shop in Italy. Most cars are either scratched or trashed, (just a thought - it should be an almighty business) As parking is an art form - sideways - back to front -right angles - double parking is the norm  ( i.e; going off to have a coffee or buy cigarettes etc), but no one seems to care.

The above photo is typical! There is plenty of room for this guy to park properly, i.e. parallel, but NO, just sticks the nose in and in the small streets with oncoming traffic, someone has to stop and give way…. Bloody nuisance.

Their parking of boats is a little better!

I know I keep going on about this but it’s truly extraordinarily amazing to be involved in this - Terry says his reflexes have sharpened by at least 200% and I’ll keep taking the B.P. Tablets. He and H.H. have passed the ‘ADVANCED EVASIVE DRIVING COURSE’ I would say with flying colours. We thought we’d also let you know that we have been passed on the motorway on two different occasions by HEARSES’, either heading to or finishing a job (hopefully unoccupied). We however passed this old beauty!

There are still lots of these Fiat 500’s still here of course, along with the new ones. If you lived over here it’s definitely the type of car you would buy…. SMALL…   

PALERMO: What an alive city, we have been here 3 days, it’s never quiet, it’s loud with people & car tooting. We have risked our lives crossing the streets and are forever vigilant for dodging dog poo on the pavements. This is a huge melting pot of customs and people and the public markets about 6 in total are an exotic mix of those.

It’s fabulous we did lots of walking to and fro.  We have become semi addicted to Arancine Balls. Traditional southern Italian snack foods and bought some from these lovely blokes!

 

 

The Capuchin Catacombs (worth a google) contains adults & childrens mummified bodies, dressed and appended to, or propped up against walls.

We didn’t find it spooky, just an incredible sight to see. The last to be mummified there was a two year old girl in 1920. The first in 1599. The 2yr old girl is so well preserved she really does look just asleep - she’s in an open coffin, enclosed in glass.

CEFALU: A coastal fishing village, very impressive from the road but we had to drive on as our campsite was further on.  We are parked on a hill side overlooking 5 Volcanoes in the distance and we are 600 mtrs walk from the campsite into the village of FINALE, we have a 180 deg view of the Tyrrhenian Coastline, its stunning.

 

 Amongst other things, we have been feeding yet another stray, very sick, tiny kitten, I have had a good cry over this, he put himself to bed in one of our outside lockers after a good feed.

I think he’s starving and has got cat flu - he’s not long for this world (after writing this) our little friend passed over "The Rainbow Bridge”  2 days later, so,so, sad, it’s probably the first time in his little life that’s he’d  purred and was happy, he lost the battle, Terry buried him. 

RANDAZZO: we called into to do a shop and this small town is dangerously close to Mt.Etna.

It is also known as the “black town” due to its lava paving. We wound our way back down to the coast with some very hairy, windy bends and turns, Terry & H.H. handled the roads superbly, these were also very narrow at times. The countryside is just beautiful with all the falling leaves and changes of colours and we ended up back were we started from on the south west coast of Sicily. We didn’t get to see Catania or Taormina etc. maybe next time, they had had some really bad storms that we were lucky to have missed.  

 I also had to try this interesting fruit “Prickly Pear”, tastes like watermelon but with lots of tiny seeds, I liked it, Terry didn’t. It was one of the most invasive “weeds” ever to be imported into Australia! But they eat it by the box load over here.

 It’s Sunday morning and we are off to the Ferry Terminal back to the mainland.

For a 30 klm drive to the terminal, we went through 23 tunnels, that tells you how hilly and mountainous Sicily is. I still do not like them and neither does the GPS, but we really enjoyed being there. 

Anyway that’s all folks for now. We are back on the mainland and heading for Pompei, the Amalfi Coast and then Roma!

Love to all, from Susie,Terry = H.H.  x x x .

 

 

 

Susie's Report No 30

Salve - BUON GIORNO to all, 

We arrive at LESINA .

Let me be the Tourist Info Officer here.  Please do not think about going on holiday here - even for 1 night, especially if it’s the weekend.  First of all you MUST enjoy the delights of children big and small continually letting off Fireworks the size of Tuppeny Bangers all day and all through the night.  Adults, Yelling to one another (in conversations), their children Screaming  (having fun) and dogs continually barking Day & Night, chasing cars and roaming around in packs. 

Also, which is a novel idea, is let the whole town out for a Sat/Sun drive, along the foreshore promenade. all the local small, old cars, with the odd Maserati thrown in as he has nothing better to do, ( we think he is the local D.D.) This promenade is only 300 metres long, so when there’s a break/lull in the crawling cars, the Maserati breaks loose and does a burn out. Even did one the Monday morning we were leaving! The promenade has a very small turning circle just near us, the cars move along at a funerals pace up and down the Esplanade and when it gets dark their light come on, and continues throughout the night, with lots of tooting of horns. There is a small lull in this display between 12pm - 3pm as they ALL go home for lunch, then back out again Kids, Adults, Dogs, Cars.

 Now I know your all dying to know why is this so, because H.H. is parked in a wire fence enclosure, like a parking lot, 20 metres from the Promenade. It has power, water and 1 x toilette & 1 x shower, all for 12.00 euros a night (including all this free entertainment) NOT!!!!! So we are right in the hub of all the action.

 I will always treasure my EAR PLUGS and promise to value them forever.  The almighty bang of these crackers is a shocker.  Lesina  is on a lake, but I think its fairly stagnate, the shoreline is choked with sea weed and local refuse. (this is written without prejudice).

On the road again, and we are off to see the TRULLI HOUSES, in ALBEROBELLO, these were built in the 19th century, and a lot have been restored, just fabulous to see, photos explain these. We were parked at a site in amongst Olive trees and went for a look around town, lots of Tourist buses in and hopefully buying lots of souvenirs.

We are still working our way South, we are going down to the boot, across the heel, into the instep and onto the toes soon.

The CALABRIAN COAST with it’s Greek, Albanian & Italian heritage is a huge melting pot and with lots of different dialects, and they have retained their cultures. They have lots of Earthquakes, and are bounded by the Ionian and Tyronian Oceans/Seas, with beautiful coloured waters. Unfortunately the roads aren’t real flash, (bad condition) lots of heavy truck use, the verges are filthy with plastics and plastic bottles everwhere, the beach’s are the same and IT”S such a shame!!!!

CORIGLIANO - we had a storm that night, they lost a couple of limbs off the tree infront of H.H, luckily we parked away from the trees and pine cones. I went for a walk along the beach next morning and it was scattered with lots of small Oranges, obviously the local Orchard had lost its fair share.

 But I must tell you I had two interesting attempts in showering in the toilet block!.

First time: It’s getting dark outside, so shower time, I pack my bag & off I go, it’s quite a walk to get there as the other blocks are closed off. I fumble around for the light switch - yeah!! Lets go. Terry had already had his so he was able to brief me on the workings (on arrival you are given a token for the shower).  So I wash my face at the basin, close & lock the door on my cubicle, get everything ready, flannel, body wash, token etc,. Get undressed, shower cap on and stand waiting (this whole system is very old and rusted). Terry said "stand back" as the water bursts out. Put my token in, and it’s stuck - won’t go in, can’t get it out, with many expletives ongoing, luckily I was the only one there!!!

 I have to re dress and now its dark and walk down to reception about 200 metres, and try to explain what’s happened (charades again). She understands and gives me 3 tokens (just in case) back I go again, this time I choose No. 5 cubicle and not 6 again, success it works!! Its on a 2 minute timer but the 1st minute is freezing cold, 2nd min O.k. So back to H.H. to tell my tale of woe.

Second time: I have 2 tokens left. i.e. 4 minutes. Tomorrow we leave so I get up at 7am for a shower and wash my hair. Off I trudge to the block, get inside, turn light on. I’m the only one here again, same story...get in cubicle, undress, line everything up etc, put my token in, NO burst of water, NO nothing, NOT a drop, many expletives once again. The stray cats outside had heard it all before, but wait... the door opens and a oldish German Nana comes in. I come out absolutely starkers & do CHARADES again that there is NO WATER coming out. She goes back outside and I think gives the system a swift kick/hit/bash and my shower starts to trickle out (she’s done this before). Its not enough, but enough to do the trick. She puts her token in and no problems. Now with mine, the BLOODY thing won’t stop dribbling. Door opens again, and another German Nana come is, they greet one another, she puts her token in, next minute, ( I guess it’s German expletives) she comes out covered in shampoo & soap…. her shower has stopped mid stream, so outside they both go wrapped in towels, and she shows her the trick, back inside again, shower starts up again, everybody happy. I said Danke for your help and left to the sound of a shower and a blow dryer in the distance !!! Bloody hell.

Today we have driven about 150 klms from the north coast of Italy to the south coast and ended up at GIZZERIA Lido a.k.a. Hang Loose Beach - we have actually stayed 4 nights and we are just about parked on the beach with a view to Mt. Stromboli, its an active Volcano with smoke happily puffing out the top.(2000 yrs old).

 

 This beach is renown for Kite Surfing and I guess other water sports etc, The photo’s of Summer here are big sun umbrellas, lots of deck chairs and lots of people, today there is just us and one other van from Switzerland.

 

 The meet & greet guy is from the U.K. so we can speak English, Yahoooo!!!! Amongst other things he also looks after some local stray dogs, one which I wanted to kidnap, they are very friendly and happy, and he’s been good with local info and also on Sicily, which is coming up soon. The sunsets have been amazing.

 

Terry and I decided to go for a walk to the local village to get some supplies, and after many wrong turns, and avoiding the huge pools/puddles from the storm the night before, (this is all bushland with stones,dirt & sand.. hard going) and after skirting some lagoons we come across a guy ahead of us. We tried to ask directions, so he put his GUN DOWN (shotgun) and starts drawing diagrams in the dirt/sand and of course speaking to us in Italian.

 We said our grazie’s and walked off - I turned to T.Lee and said, DO YOU THINK THAT GUN WAS  LOADED????? We now know what they had been shooting, as we rounded the lagoon and in the river we saw some plastic decoy Ducks, and lots of spent shell cases everywhere ( they do come in some pretty colours ). Poor duck ducks don’t stand a chance, we walked on hoping the next shot was not at us.  QUACK QUACK!!!!! We made it to the village and bought the best TOMATOES we have ever tasted or remembered, some frozen seafood and bread, and a yummy Arancine Ball. The local supermarket had shutdown for the season .Damnation! again.

Sunday morning and we are off on another walk along the beach (different direction) but the same difficulty. Lo & behold, what do we come across, but our very own CRIME SCENE. We take swift action not to disturb the scene, but creeping up close to have a ghoulish look we find a body, dishevelled, fingers, feet are missing (chewed off), hair tangled & matted ( you know the look, beach hair) one blue eye staring straight ahead, body rigid, it’s a, it’s a !?!?  washed up, unloved  BARBIE DOLL. Discarded, thrown overboard from a boat, with the flotsam & jetsam and ended up on the tide line.

 We think the culprit was KEN !!! Oh and I forgot to mention she was naked - no designer clothing or jewellery. We didn’t know what to do, we couldn’t call it in ( we don’t speak the lingo), so we walked on by & left her to her watery grave.  We have evidence. exhibit A. a photo, for your perusal.  End of Story.

Italy is full of characters, charm and crazy drivers.  Rest assured Terry & I will never complain about traffic in Australia ever again, if you can drive a motorhome in Italy without incident through the streets & towns, its a bloody miracle !!!! No one gives way, barely indicates, they overtake infront of oncoming cars, they park absolutely ANYWHERE, parking of cars is like watching THATS INCREDIBLE, its extremely interesting, I observe all this with a held breath. But hey ?? it’s Italy. Even the animals are different! But they all get along and it seems to work.

Daylight saving had changed recently, but it took us a day or two to work this out, we were 1hr ahead of the rest of Europe, we only twigged when Sunset was at 5pm instead of the usual 6pm.

SICILY, we arrived after a 20 minute car ferry ride to this ancient isle.  We spent 2 nights at a beachside campsite overlooking mainland Italy with its black volcanic rocks and sand.

 The storms out to sea have been very entertaining and so was T. Lee when he popped back from his shower dripping water & soap suds, his token had run out - short changed again - I sent him off again with another. Honestly we don ’t have much luck with a simple shower do we????? We had to pass through TAORMINA with its ancient ruins as it was raining, so we kept moving along, lots of showers and thunder in the distance.  We have just popped out of a tunnel to a full view of Mt Etna covered in snow.

We are still having lots of trouble with campsite closures, they say they are open in the book, when we get there, CLOSED!  We have missed a few sites because of this. End of story for now ….Arrivederci to all - ciao till next one  Love from Susie, Terry & H.H.  x x x 

P.S. and another sunset….