Back to the voice of the beehive, just whose blog is this?
Slow start and with Molly pestering for an adventure, with some trepidation, we set out for a trip up the Volcano.
Its due to go off every 35 years and last eruption was in 1944 so do the sums.
Another scary drive through the suburbs and a rather sad road up the lower volcanic slopes, knee deep in litter and filth. The locals drive up here for the amazing views of the Bay of Naples, a spectacular natural amphitheatre and express their appreciation by leaving bags of detritus in their wake.
Further up is a lot clearer and the lava flows have been colonised by an abundance of wild flowers. The ground is a haze of tiny sunshine yellow flowers, anthemis i think. Thrusting up from these, vivid red Valerian and blue and white Veronicas. Deep purple/blue Echiums (Vipers bugloss). More exquisite than any garden. Up and up through lush vegetation, which gradually falls away to red volcanic dust as you hit the car park.
It’s a bit cooler here. The top is often obscured by clouds and as a bunch of anoracked schoolchildren (all with backpacks) pass us on their way down we realised (in our shirtsleeves and shorts) we are unprepared for the driving wind, rain and dust of our ascent. Luckily by the time we reach the top the sun is shining again and the squall has driven most vistors off the summit.
The blacked crater of the volcano on one side and the amazing views over the bay of Naples on the other is awesome.
There is a faint whiff of sulphur and scarily we saw a few puffs of smoke. Run.
Almost disappointed not to see a couple of burnt out Fiat Uno’s and old fridges in the crater
Molly is in her element and frightens the life out of fellow visitors by scrabbling as close to the edge as she can chasing Lizards. She comes fully equipped with state of the art four-wheel drive and though we have a close shave, survives to scramble another day.
Back in the car park our car has an eruption of own from a radiator pipe. The pressurised system has fallen fowl of the long journeys running hotter than usual and sprung a leek. Limped back to the campsite and waved goodbye as another garage hauls her off for to god knows where for god knows how long.
Oh no not again with the car!
ReplyDeleteFi
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Fi - never mind the car - my Molly has been subjected to untold dangers! A brush with oblivion on the summit of a volcano - dancing with death in the jaws of a gaping monster, fully primed and ready to spew molton ash and lava (I did the sums! Long overdue is the answer!). Don't panic, Molly, I am on standby for a mercy rescue dash! Just send me the sign and I can rescue you from the untold misery and danger!
ReplyDeleteHilary
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yes so right Hils think you should depart forthwith and resuce Miss Molly and bring her bedraggled, wet, carless owner back with you in your mercy mission! She does look and sound like she is having great fun!!
ReplyDeleteKnowing how much of a Football fan you are, as well as the election (I have only just clicked that now Lib Dem are in power with the Conservatives, they have only the one main party left in opposition - quick aeren't I!) anyway, back to the footie, it is the Chelsea and Portsmouth FA cup final today, two blue clubs one at the top the other as far on the bottom rung as you can go pitting against each other with one having nothing to lose. Should be good! Sun out today it may come the day where my heating can finally be switched off!
Have a good day you three xxxx
meant to say owners oh gawd i'm in trouble now with leaving off my s's ! Sorry Boys!
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