Vasto Marina

When we went to bed last night, we could see a silver sliver of a new moon, in the darkened sky. The night was warm, humid and uncomfortable to sleep through.

This morning, we took advantage of the facilities, and washed the last of our clothes in the deep sinks, designed for this purpose. The Italian nonna beside, going at her laundry like human washing machine. Clothes all hung out to dry, which they did quiet quickly, we took a walk up the beach, spotting a hoopoe on the way.

This is the second time, we've seen one of these birds in the last ten days.

As we walked, we noticed the beach had been transformed overnight, more tables and seating had appeared, as had people. All the campsites now had extra signage outside, and cafes and small supermarkets were now open. Yesterday, we started to get the feeling, that this weekend may be the start of the Italian holiday season. Unlike England, they have a very short summer season on the continent. Arriving at the cafe we went to yesterday, we stopped once again for some refreshment, and to enjoy the view for one last time, before we departed Vieste.

At half past midday, it was time for Marge to brace herself, she was going up into them there hills!

After an hour and a half of twists and turns, driving up towards the Umbra Forest we stopped for lunch at a service area overlooking the salt water of Lake Varano.

The temperature was a sweltering 31c inside Marge. As we descended down onto the flatter land, we became aware of numerous 'ladies of the horizontal industry', along the side of the road. A couple of them signalled towards us!

Nearing our overnight stop, we passed a supermarket, equal to Lidl or Aldi in England. As we had already passed the entrance, we pulled over and swung Marge across the road to go back.

Stocked up with fresh fruit and vegetables, and some very good Italian wine at just 2.29 euros for 1.5 litres, we decided, sorry France, but we think we will probably stock up on vino here.

It was gone six o' clock, before we reached tonight's stop, and after finding a spot in the corner of the sea front car park for Marge, we set off on foot to take a look around.

By seven o' clock the temperature had dropped to a mere 28c, we were in for another warm, uncomfortable night.

We are at Vasto Marina, a smart area in the southern Abruzzo region.

Between 1940 and 1947 there were 6 Nazi organised Jewish concentration camps here, a plaque alongside the road, that runs behind the seafront a reminder.

As the sun went down this evening, we could hear a nightingale in the tree above singing its evening song, and a sight now too rare at home dozens of fireflies flitting about in the long grass and bushes behind us.