Monday 14 June 2010

Day 61

Day 61 Sunday 30th May
Wuthering heights.

On Saturday our site had filled up with Italian holidaymakers for the weekend. Adults and children in full voice exploding from their motor homes. Well all this relaxation had to end sometime.
We drove to Trapani a large port, still a stronghold of the local Mafia. From here a cable car whisks us to the mountain town of Erice. Founded by the Trojans and reputed to be impregnable. Encounter our first shake down in the car park. A ragamuffin with a book of tickets approached us. He told us parking was free but he would personally make sure nothing happened to our car if we paid him a small amount. Suddenly we spoke no Italian and scurried on our way pretending not to understand.
The town was shrouded in mist throughout our visit and the ancient winding streets seemed deserted and not a little spooky. After an expensive, indifferent lunch and with our clothes wet with mist, we descended to the car park to discover our car was perfectly all right and the ragamuffin still plying his dubious trade.
As the weather had shortened our visit we continued on to the impressive ancient Greek temple at Segestra. A 30 min climb through wild flowers to the beautiful Amphitheatre, also from 12c BC, with the most stunning views over the inland plain and distant sea. A full and happy day.


Above Trapani.
Half way up the very narrow spiral stairs this lot went off!! Deafening.

The Duomo Erice.
Where is everybody?

Small theater, Segestra.
Doric Temple, Segestra. Moments later the culture vultures on the left were flashing there bums? Must be a local thing.

1 comment:

  1. well boys u both look very well wish i looked as good are u not sick of traveling yet lol no i would not be neather xxxxxxxxxxxx

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