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Sunday Evening

Pretty tired after the day’s exertions, but decided to have a little outing to the nearest town, Montefalco.
Bit of a sunset
… and a bit of the town.

Did very well for food, despite them sending Eileen’s main course out before her pasta and forgetting my pasta altogether, it was delicious.

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Sunday 27th September – Umbria

Sunday certainly had a grotty start:
– a 4.00 alarm call
– Stansted Airport (those who have been will understand; those who haven’t may wish to avoid)
– Ryanair (as good as expected)
– car rental (even though everyone in the queue had pre-booked, it took 10 minutes per person to sort out, and the people in front of us had two drivers so took 20 minutes, and there was only 1 person on the desk)
– getting a bit lost coming out of the airport
– having useless directions to where we’re staying.
Then things took a turn for the better.  Firstly we drove past Assissi which looked magnificent.  It’s only about 10 miles away so will definitely pay it a visit.
Then found the house, which is quite nice
With a view of the Umbrian hills out of the lounge window
And some pretty decent views from the balcony.
Wifi is a bit patchy, but we’ll see how we go.
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Sunday 27th September – Umbria

Sunday certainly had a grotty start:
– a 4.00 alarm call
– Stansted Airport (those who have been will understand; those who haven’t may wish to avoid)
– Ryanair (as good as expected)
– car rental (even though everyone in the queue had pre-booked, it took 10 minutes per person to sort out, and the people in front of us had two drivers so took 20 minutes, and there was only 1 person on the desk)
– getting a bit lost coming out of the airport
– having useless directions to where we’re staying.
Then things took a turn for the better.  Firstly we drove past Assissi which looked magnificent.  It’s only about 10 miles away so will definitely pay it a visit.
Then found the house, which is quite nice
With a view of the Umbrian hills out of the lounge window
And some pretty decent views from the balcony.
Wifi is a bit patchy, but we’ll see how we go.
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Day 8 – Sightseeing

We had a late flight, and rain was forecast, so some serious sightseeing on the cards.
Got lost trying to get to Pompeii which you wouldn’t think possible, but in our defence the signposting is pretty bad.  And the roads unbelievably bad.  But eventually we made it.
Eileen’s comment – pretty impressive!  Bit of an understatement for Pompeii but it will do!
Then on to Herculaneum, and just as we arrived the heavens really opened.  Spent quite a time driving round in the storm just trying to find it (again, virtually no signposts).  Then found it and spent 20 minutes debating whether to get out of the car on the basis that we wouldn’t be able to see much.  There again, if we didn’t go in at all we wouldn’t see anything!
So we did.
Much smaller than Pompeii but more impressive, but sad that it is being left to ruin.  One fresco is being worn away because of rucksacks brushing against it!
Then the final nightmare drive to the airport, and with much amazement returned the car without a scratch.
Posted on

Day 8 – Sightseeing

We had a late flight, and rain was forecast, so some serious sightseeing on the cards.
Got lost trying to get to Pompeii which you wouldn’t think possible, but in our defence the signposting is pretty bad.  And the roads unbelievably bad.  But eventually we made it.
Eileen’s comment – pretty impressive!  Bit of an understatement for Pompeii but it will do!
Then on to Herculaneum, and just as we arrived the heavens really opened.  Spent quite a time driving round in the storm just trying to find it (again, virtually no signposts).  Then found it and spent 20 minutes debating whether to get out of the car on the basis that we wouldn’t be able to see much.  There again, if we didn’t go in at all we wouldn’t see anything!
So we did.
Much smaller than Pompeii but more impressive, but sad that it is being left to ruin.  One fresco is being worn away because of rucksacks brushing against it!
Then the final nightmare drive to the airport, and with much amazement returned the car without a scratch.
Posted on

Day 8 – Sightseeing

We had a late flight, and rain was forecast, so some serious sightseeing on the cards.
Got lost trying to get to Pompeii which you wouldn’t think possible, but in our defence the signposting is pretty bad.  And the roads unbelievably bad.  But eventually we made it.
Eileen’s comment – pretty impressive!  Bit of an understatement for Pompeii but it will do!
Then on to Herculaneum, and just as we arrived the heavens really opened.  Spent quite a time driving round in the storm just trying to find it (again, virtually no signposts).  Then found it and spent 20 minutes debating whether to get out of the car on the basis that we wouldn’t be able to see much.  There again, if we didn’t go in at all we wouldn’t see anything!
So we did.
Much smaller than Pompeii but more impressive, but sad that it is being left to ruin.  One fresco is being worn away because of rucksacks brushing against it!
Then the final nightmare drive to the airport, and with much amazement returned the car without a scratch.
Posted on

Day 7 – Lazy Friday

The forecast was good and we were feeling like a lazy day, so that’s what we did.  A short drive to Minori (short in Amalfi Coast terms – about 45 minutes for 10kms, especially as it’s Good Friday) for lunch on the prom.
Then back to the house and a not too strenuous walk.
The beach in Praiano where we sat the other day.
And sunset from our balcony.
And the Agriturismo for the final time.  Unfortunately being Good Friday too much fish and not enough meat for our taste.
Posted on

Day 7 – Lazy Friday

The forecast was good and we were feeling like a lazy day, so that’s what we did.  A short drive to Minori (short in Amalfi Coast terms – about 45 minutes for 10kms, especially as it’s Good Friday) for lunch on the prom.
Then back to the house and a not too strenuous walk.
The beach in Praiano where we sat the other day.
And sunset from our balcony.
And the Agriturismo for the final time.  Unfortunately being Good Friday too much fish and not enough meat for our taste.
Posted on

Day 7 – Lazy Friday

The forecast was good and we were feeling like a lazy day, so that’s what we did.  A short drive to Minori (short in Amalfi Coast terms – about 45 minutes for 10kms, especially as it’s Good Friday) for lunch on the prom.
Then back to the house and a not too strenuous walk.
The beach in Praiano where we sat the other day.
And sunset from our balcony.
And the Agriturismo for the final time.  Unfortunately being Good Friday too much fish and not enough meat for our taste.
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Day 6 – 2nd April – Eileen’s Birthday

A good start to the day – a wonderful photo book of NZ from Joanna and a wonderfully sunny morning on the terrace – a quick reminder of how it looks without fog.
Then a nice lazy day with views of the Amalfi Coast.
And a short boat ride around a cave.  The blue light is natural and the captain gives a pretty good rendition of ‘O Sole Mio’ in order to demonstrate the echo.
The birthday girl ..
…. writing a postcard to NZ, so goodness knows when it will arrive.
View upwards to the road from our terrace.
And having found the Agriturismo restaurant near our house, there was no question of where to go for dinner.