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| Renzo, a real character |
Wanted to cover quite a few
kilometres today so left camp at 8.30 but had a few delays. Arrived at the camp
dumpsite to find an Italian van sitting over the waste drain using the water to
wash his van, and he was in no hurry to move on as they dried it off. Finally,
on the motorway and headed to the ferry terminal where we had arrived in Sicily
10 days ago to find that there were no ferries on Sundays and we had to
continue further on into the port at Messina. Saw the ferry leaving just as we
arrived, drat, so it was an hour and a quarter wait for the next one. Oh well,
time to put the coffee on and catch up on some emails.
It was a good 20 minute crossing
and got talking to John, an American guy from Michigan who was touring on his
BMW motorbike for 6 weeks. He comes every year and has done so for some years.
His friend in Germany “owns” the bike and registers it for him. A very
interesting guy who has done a huge amount of travelling throughout Europe as
well as all over the States.
Then it was 200kms heading north
on the motorway, an easy drive through interesting country. As we got out of
the coastal mountains and into the flatter agriculture areas the temperatures
climbed to the mid 30’s and when we stopped for a break it was like a heatwave
after the aircon in the van.
Our destination was a campsite
right on the coast of the Ionian Sea set in pine trees. A very nice camp,
mostly filled with families who set up camp here for the whole summer. We found
a very nice spot where we could see the sea, but shaded by the trees. Have a
nice breeze blowing through, and of course I was in for a swim as soon as we
arrived, the water was really nice and although a pebbly bottom was quite easy
to walk on. It was perfect to cool down.
Met Renzo, a really friendly
Italian guy who spoke good English and it turns out he was a primary school
teacher from the north of Italy. He explained a lot about the history of this
area from several hundred years BC and all the fighting that had gone on over
the years over claiming land. Renzo stays here from Easter through to the end
of September. Feel we have been meeting a lot more interesting people on this
trip than in our previous years in Europe.
It was a very pleasant evening
sitting outside in the shade and the camp is surprisingly quiet considering how
many people are here.
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Waiting at the terminal, if you look carefully you
can see me reflected from the doorway of Ruakiwi! |
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| The water is an amazing colour. |
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| Off again. |
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| And farewell to Sicily |
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Playing....in one of the many tunnels we passed
through again today. |
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| Coastal Italy. |
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| John from Michigan, USA |
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| Nice shady trees. |
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While I was swimming, Ian decided to decorate Ruakiwi!
It had people checking us out. | |
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| Waiting for another day in the sun. |
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