Monday June 3, Falerna Marina

Beautiful Lago Serino this morning.

Woke this morning after no more overnight rain, the clouds had lifted a bit and the sun was trying to shine although it was a fairly cool 10 degrees. Had read online about the rather lovely village on the lake so after breakfast went for a wander, and what a beautiful spot, as we took the twenty minute walk around the lake, chatting with a few fisherman, as best we could with only Italian spoken. Had spotted some rather large carp like fish mooching around under the bridge. It really is a great spot tucked up in the mountains. Chatted with our Netherland neighbours who have taken a break from working and have been on the road now for fourteen months. They spent quite some time in Morocco and said we must go….hmmmmm!!!

Spent time looking at the maps last night and decided to get away from the motorway and head west to the coast and take SS18 south to Reggio Di Calabria where we can get the ferry to Sicily. It was a great road as we dropped down steeply through the gorge with villages tucked up on the hillsides, before reaching the coast. Really enjoyed the drive following the coast south, passing through many holiday towns, all very quiet at this time of the year…thankfully. The further south we came the less touristy the area became. What has amazed us is the number of large multi-storied block buildings with roofs but only holes for doors and windows. They have been like that for many years, some getting over grown with creepers. We also saw a number partially finished with maybe a floor in the middle still waiting for doors and windows.

Using Park4Night found this campsite which was described as “rather spartan” but directly on the sea which sounded good to us. And what a perfect spot, just about have our wheels on the beach, and I am sitting typing this looking directly west and evidently on a clear day you can see the volcanic island of Stromboli.  With the sun shining I walked on the beach, it felt so good especially at this time of the year with few holidaymakers around.

Ian came down with a raw throat yesterday and today is feeling pretty miserable with a full on head cold. He was very happy to crawl into bed this afternoon when we arrived and try and sleep it off.

Later….It has been so nice to have sun pouring in this afternoon…although a bit cool and windy to sit outside. Still getting used to the sun setting so early….it was 8.15 tonight.

"Chatted"with this very friendly guy who was watching
his friends fishing. They couldn't speak English...and
we couldn't speak Italian!!

An "arty " take on the these old jetty poles in the lake.

Driving out there were a number of villages dotted
around the hills.

...and finally the coast.

Multi-coloured houses on the hillsides.

The med!

Interesting beach side properties.