Torre a Mare

Last night, after eating a delicious campervan chicken stir fry at 9 o'clock John walked along the beach, to watch a fisherman reel his beach launched longline in. He had been talking to him earlier and arranged to go back and view his catch. Unfortunately nothing for 3 hours work!

The line that could be let out with sail mounted on a raft could be let out for several miles.

We both saw the sunrise this morning, then back to bed for some much needed sleep. The mosquitoes had been biting all night.

This morning, the small fishing boats returned about ten o' clock, selling their catch. Octopus, at ten euros a piece, and they had plenty of local custom for them. Walking on the beach, the warmth from the already heated sand, could be felt through the soles of our shoes, and an abundance of wild flowers and grasses swayed in the breeze. Late morning, we bade farewell to the Austrian couple, and set off, retracing our steps back along the road towards Bari. The roads were fairly quiet, as it was Sunday, but we still managed to encounter a couple of close calls. Marge travels in the slower, inside lane, how difficult is it to overtake in the outside, faster lane? No, we need your lane as well! We can't help agreeing with our Dutch friend from yesterday, who said, 'the Italians should not be allowed near anything, with a steering wheel, or handle bars!'.

Mid afternoon, we arrived at tonight's stop, alongside the sea at Torre a Mare.

The waters edge is literally a few metres away. To the left we can see the cruise port of Bari.

Today in Italy, it is Republic Day, so the town is very busy around the harbour area.

We joined in, by treating ourselves to a gelato, one coffee, one mint, and they were both excellent.

We were shocked and saddened, but not suprised, to see a large amount of rubbish, had been dumped into the sea water of the harbour.

Everywhere we travel here, we encounter rubbish, and just along from our position, an old door and bath have been left by the communal bin. This evening, the roads are busy, with the masses leaving the coast and heading for home.

Cars have been pulling in next to Marge to view the sunset. A couple, around seventy, were next to us in their small car, and we wondered if Marge was blocking their view, so made a point of saying 'buonasera' to them, and they said the same back. When they left, they sound their car horn, and gave us a cheery wave, so all good there, then.

Tomorrow, we will head north up the coast, towards a national park.

Torre Chiancha

There were a lot less vehicles parked around us last night, so this morning, we could see a fine display of wild, red poppies opposite, their colour splattering the white washed wall behind. Once again we were awakened by the cockerel, but we didn't mind, and slept in a little, to compensate.

We, chatted to the Dutch couple next to us, swapping tips and information. He advised us on the best route back to France, and dissuaded us, from going anywhere near Germany, which we had thought we might, as the mentality there was, 'no, you cannot do that!'. Before we left, we doused Marge, after refilling her fresh water tank. It now being Saturday, and the weekend, we wondered if we shouldn't give another visit to Lecce a go. It would be a shame to be so close, and not. So off we set, the traffic a lot lighter than yesterday, and we found some parking in a car park for Marge quiet easily. Low and behold, the only campervan space, was right next to the Dutch couples van, we'd been beside last night. Small world, in such a large city. Angela went of to pay the attendant for the parking, ten euros, we know a bit steep, but glad to have found Marge a place so easily, without the stress of being caught in a narrow side street, it seemed O.K. But John, checked on the internet, and it said, we should have paid five euros. Watch out Mr Parking Attendant, who was having none of it, and suddenly did not speak a word of English. So that was that. We have noticed here in Italy, that most of the items on stalls, or in small shops, are not priced, and that at the fuel stations, there is a price for self service, and a price for serviced, of which the serviced price can differ by as much as seventeen cents a litre.

Eggs sandwiches packed in our rucksacks, we can hear you laughing! We walked into the city, wowed from the off.

The tree lined walkways, a display of blossom and flowers, the baroque architecture, a solid construction of stone and wrought iron.

The sunken Roman amphitheatre, stunning in its originality, although just a section preserved.

Our eyes were diverted everywhere, look at the balconies, the doors, the facades, the carved stone, the churches, and the striking cathedral.

At one church, we spotted a kestrel flying back and forth to a nest. Opposite, a group of young people were just finishing their lunch. They were sat at a table, which had been set up in the narrow side road, next to the restaurant. Cars were permitted in this part of the city, and they passed the diners with only a couple of inches to spare. Only in Italy! We are constantly amazed at the speed the cars travel along these narrow streets, in built up areas.

You can see where the original Fiat 500 comes into its own, and we have seen quite a few of them, whilst being in Italy.

 

As we walked on, we spotted a cockerel outside one of the shops, we were beginning to develop a phobia about cockerels! Back at Marge, we had a quick chat with the Dutch couple, who were taking time out for a cup of afternoon tea. Then we headed off, wishing them a safe onward journey.

Tonight's stop, is right beside the beach at Torre Chiancha, on the Adriatic coast.

The swell of the sea, washes over the rocks and an onshore breeze cools us, after a daytime temperature of 27c. At first there was a little uncertainty about staying here, as it is a little isolated, but now an Austrian couple have arrived with their van, so we're all relaxed. As we drift of to sleep tonight to the sound of the sea, we hope to witness a fabulous sunrise in the morning.