Ristorante Piana dell Ginestre, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvias

As the museum awoke this morning, and the first coach full of visitors arrived, something attracted our attention in the nearby stream.

Diving in from the bank, frogs, taking an early morning swim. In the trees above, pigeons, clumsily bounced from branch to branch. The other English couple who stayed here last night, left fairly early. They had not left their van since arriving. We could not understand why, when you could view the gardens and outdoor exhibits, even when the museum was closed. Each day, when we arrive at our overnight aire, we take great enjoyment, from taking a walk around. Just before we left this morning, we visited the museum shop, which was full of Army surplus items, some from Canada and Russia. As we made our way back to Marge, a very large military vehicle, which we deduced to be, a vehicle used to make up a floating bridge, was being loaded onto a low loader lorry.

There was much precision involved in the process, but little health and safety.

A final walk under the eucalyptus trees, on the way back to the van, we stopped to photograph the very large woodants, on the ground.

Nearby, lizards, warming themselves in the sun, with one eye open, waiting to pounce.

(picture from the Internet as we where not quick enough to take a photo)

As we drove away from the aire, we saw a Hoopoo.

As we headed south, the Italian driving became worse. Today, they've taken to heading straight at Marge, so desperate to overtake. On one dual carriageway, we saw a motorcycle overtake a small van who was already in the overtaking lane, even the van driver seemed shocked. Along the coast road, we travelled through tunnel after tunnel, through the mountains. In between two of them, we stopped to look at the amazing views, and take advantage of a photo opportunity.

Continuing on with our journey, we were finding it difficult to find somewhere to stop and have our lunch. Finally, at just after 2 pm, we pulled in to the car park of a Euro Spin Supermarket, (Italy's equivalent to Aldi). Once re-fulled, we ventured into the supermarket, for some much needed supplies. The wine was priced very reasonably, so we stocked up on that as well. Two litres of decent stuff, for less than two euros! Whilst in the supermarket, we saw a range of female bodysuits, made from sheer material. Now we know where the working girls buy their outfits!

Tonight, we should have stayed in Caserta, where there is a Roman amphitheatre. Driving into the city, it was a bit like riding into Dodge City. The area was very run down, and there were lots of dubious looking people. We found the aire, parked with the few other vans already there, and feeling more than a little vulnerable, set off in search of the entrance to the amphitheatre. In the end we gave up, the area seemed to be secured, and we weren't happy about leaving Marge. She had already attracted the attention of some east Europeans in the car park of the supermarket, looking so new and modern, against their older cars. So adopting the policy, if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, we left the city of Caserta. Ironically, whilst driving out, we saw a restaurant, aptly called, The Wild West. Well Marge was riding out of town! We had decided to head for an overnight stop, which had received good reviews on the internet. for its position, with great views over the bay of Naples, and the islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri.

After about a hour of very stressful driving, resulting in a very slow climb in second gear up Mount Vesuvias, with fast moving downhill traffic, narrow roads and hairpin bends, we arrived at tonight's overnight resting place. Marge had held firm, persisting slowly, whilst her driver felt increasingly unwell at the stress of it all, knowing Marge would say, 'get a grip!'. Eventually, we pulled into the car park for the Ristorante Piana dell Ginestre. After some discussion with the manager/owner, we paid 10 euros to stay the night.

We have a nice secure spot, on grass, under the trees, with views towards the bay of Naples and the islands. Just after we arrived, a group of young men turned into the parking area, in a blaze of flying gravel. They asked John if he could photograph them as a group, with the bay behind them. On leaving, there was the boyish prank of pretending to leave one of them behind, this resulted in the young mans right foot being run over, he seemed O.K. though. Whist we ate our evening meal, a group of people arrived, for what appeared to be a party for twin teenage boys They appeared to have brought an official photographer with them, but the boys seemed unwilling to meet his demands on how they should pose for his photographs. In the end he gave up.

It has been a warm day, but this evening it is raining a little. We are hoping the weather will be clear in the morning so we can obtain some good photographs of the view. Some years ago, we used to frequent an Italian restaurant in a local town. The couple, originated from the island of Capri, and on the wall in their restaurant, they'd hung a tourism poster of the island. We would never had thought all those years ago, we would be in sight of the island of Capri, ever.

Tomorrow, we will head to Pompei. Before we set off, we may drive further up Mount Vesuvias, park, and take a walk. The volcano, has not erupted since 1944, and is constantly monitored, but hey, what a fantastic photo opportunity! Behind Marge is some molten, fossilised lava, how cool is that?

Outside, we can hear the fireworks going off in Naples. From our position, we can see just how vast the city is. We have decided not to visit it, but enjoy it from up here on the mountain.

Note if you want to use any of the photos for any purpose please do so, but put a link to: https://www.muddymarge.com

Piana delle Orme

Yesterday evening, the air was still and warm, whilst we enjoyed a glass of wine, and planned our onward journey. As the sun faded, the sky was smudged with warm swathes of lilac. Through the power of the internet, we kept in touch with family at home, and especially smiled, at the video of our youngest grandson, who is now crawling. Oh dear, parents, now things get serious, don't forget the stair gate!

This morning we were up early, as our plan was to leave Rome by 4 pm, so we would avoid the worst of the traffic.

We returned to the nearby tourist office, arriving just before they opened. The young lady there, wrote down the number of the bus we would need, and which metro line and station we required for our visit to the Vatican City. Armed with this information, we purchased four metrobus tickets from her. Each ticket offers unlimited travel for a continuous 100 minutes, the clock starts ticking, as soon as you board the bus. So six euros later, we stand nervously at the nearby bus stop. But no need for nerves, 35 minutes later, we were walking out Ottaviano metro station, right near the Vatican City.

The time 10.30 am, and the crowds were already forming. As we walked the streets, we were irritatingly, pestered by the tour guides, but we have to limit our spending, as we must be able to fill Marge up with fuel, to continue our trip. For us, just the experience of seeing all these wonderful places is enough.

The innocents abroad.

How surreal and awesome, did it seem, to be stood in St. Peter's Square? All round, there was something to see. Don't forget to look up, down that side road, turn around, and what a view!

The architecture was impressive, the bright limestone of the columns magnificent. Who'd have thought, John and Angela Hampton would be here? After our manic experience in the centre of Rome, despite the people, and traffic, it all seemed a little calmer here, why would that be? But the dangers of crossing the road were evident. At one zebra crossing, there was a large pool of dried blood near the kerb. Let's hope the pedestrian who leapt, before they looked, is alright.

Having eaten our breakfast earlier than normal, we were ready for lunch at 12.30. We'd hoped to be able to buy two more delicious deli sandwiches like, yesterday, but to no avail. So, we returned to a small cafe, we'd passed serving kebabs and pizza. The man, seeing us interested, offered us a sample of, pizza each.

Clever move, we were in the door before you could say pizza. But it was worthwhile, and after a vegetarian and caprese, we left full and satisfied, well done young man on your sales technique.

Our journey back across to the other side of the river, was straight forward. The metro was a lot busier than this morning, but the modern, light, open trains, did not make us feel claustrophobic, despite the hoards of passengers. At one station, a nun boarded. John, forever the gentleman, gave his seat up to her. She seemed both suprised and grateful.

A few shots of Rome before we say arrivederci

We arrived back at Marge at around 2.30 pm, and, after sorting ourselves out, left Rome around 3 pm. It was with mixed feelings that we left. We would not miss the traffic, noise, chaos, sirens, but would miss the atmosphere, the architecture, the history, and the thrill. We are overall glad we passed by this way, and will be forever grateful to the lady in the tourist office, for making our trip to the Vatican City so effortless. So, goodbye, Rome, we will now leave you, to all those millions of visitors, who will follow in our footsteps.

Not having driven Marge for a couple of days, we decided to drive to an aire less than two hours away, just south of Rome. Despite being on a main road, the condition of the road was diabolical, it made the ones in England seem perfect. In the unlikely event you are reading this, Italian minister for roads, please could you do something about them. We bet the road surface outside your house is perfect! On the way to the aire, we passed some 'ladies, offering afternoon delight'. One of them, was wearing a skirt that barely covered her lunch! Another, had heels on her stiletto boots, that must have been eight inches high, probably to be able to see into a lorry drivers window! Still, they gave us some amusement, and we wondered where do they buy their outfits! The answer, well just google it!

Tonight we are staying at the aire, adjacent to the car park of, the Italian, Agricultural and Military museum, at Piana della Orme. A strange mixture from ploughs to Cold Starfighter! With a lot of noisy peacocks thrown in for good measure.

So it's, 'a night at the museum'. The aire is set amongst the trees, there is another English van here, but the couple don't seem very friendly. We think there may be a little bit of snobbery, between owners of coach-built vans, and van conversions, (apologies to our friends Andrew and Trudy).

It is now just after 9.00, and the sun has gone down. We are tired from our few days in Rome, but also exhilarated, from having been there. Checking the weather forecast, it looks like it is going to become a lot hotter, as we head towards Naples.

Note if you want to use any of the photos for any purpose please do so, but put a link to: https://www.muddymarge.com

Rome (Day 2)

At 9.00 this morning it was 26c. Today was going to be hot, hot, hot! So on with the lycra, and the sunscreen. As we prepared to dice with death once again in the city, a pair of parakeet's flew by Marge, gone as soon as they'd arrived, in a flash of green.

An easier ride into the city centre today, as a German man, parked next to us, advised us on an easier route, to get to the cycleway, which avoided much of the busy road near the aire. Once in the city centre, the cycleways stop, and you're either cycling on the pavement, or the road. Because of some demonstrations, quite a few roads were closed to traffic, but one of them was still O.K. for cycling. As a result of these road closures, in some areas, the traffic was being forced down to one lane from four, resulting in commotion. Car horns sounded incessantly, and sirens from police cars and ambulances were continuous. There is a huge police and military presence in the city, and the Italian lady who booked us onto the aire yesterday, said we must carry our passports at all times, because of spot checks. Trying to concentrate on the circus going on around us, we managed to stop and look at everything of interest, including some beautiful churches, where at one this afternoon, we met a couple from Essex, who were lost.

They'd flown out of Heathrow airport this morning at 2.30 and were staying for four days. Despite their tiredness, like us, the excitement of seeing so many treasures and masterpieces, kept them going.

At lunchtime, we sat near to the Trevi Fountain, and enjoyed a delicious Italian delis sandwich we'd bought early from a small supermarket. After lunch, we made our way along some cobbled back streets to the Pantheon, where one of us couldn't resist a strawberry gelato, well, you would, wouldn't you?

Today, we have also mastered the art of crossing the busy roads of Rome. This morning, there were policemen at the crossings, blowing their whistles in a shrill an authoritative manner, at the vehicle drivers. But this afternoon we were on our own. So we decided to adopt the same principle, the tour guide taught us, when we visited Vietnam. Just walk slowly across, and the traffic will either stop, or drive slowly around you. It worked, no ambulance, with blaring siren required!

It has been a tiring day, but well worth it. The temperature reached 29c this afternoon, and now one of us has a headache and feels a little sick, perhaps the cause, not the sun, but the strawberry gelato. We are very glad that we visited the city in May, as we couldn't imagine how awful the crowds and the traffic, will be in August. Even today, we found it difficult to take photographs, without too many people in them.

A bit photo heavy, but here's a tiny selection of today's shots.

Tomorrow, we would like to visit the Vatican City, so have made some enquiries at the tourist information office, which is just 50 metres down the road from our aire, about using the bus to take us into the city centre, from where will we walk the rest of the way.

Note if you want to use any of the photos for any purpose please do so, but put a link to: https://www.muddymarge.com