Further south today towards Naples, Sorrento, Isle of Capri and Pompeii - what a lot of beauty and history for us to explore.
We set off for the longest car journey yet on our travels as we are missing out a planned campsite in order to give us extra time at this one. Then we can see more of the area without rushing too much in this heat. The temperatures are regularly 33 - 36c and that controls a lot of our activity.
As it is a Sunday the roads are free of a lot of lorries which is a godsend - but there are a lot of Italians heading for the coast to sit on the beach too. The period around lunchtime was quiet but when we reached Napoli the world and his brother seemed to hit the roads - manically! They are truly crazy drivers and take such stupid risks. They also dread being behind a caravan so speed up even more to get past us on the road. They don't seem to mind which side they overtake on either. How we have avoided crashes so far we don't know. Imagine the M25 with drivers like the Italians - but no lane markings either! It is a free for all without brains! Added to that the roads off the motorway have become narrower, more steep and more winding so there is a lot of pipping of the hooter on the bends - peaceful bliss - not!
Having said all that - when we arrived at the campsite we were stunned by the beauty of the area after driving through slum suburbs of Naples on the way here. The campsite is in a town called Vico Equense on a steep coast road and is set in orange groves - with walnut trees, grape vines and olive trees as well. Very well shaded and quiet except for the road outside and all the car hooters sounding on the bends. It is literally 200 metres from the beach and small harbour where there are quaint restaurants and houses and hotels clinging to the cliff face - see pics. As it is Sunday loads of Italians are around to bake on the beach and they make a lot of noise and leave a lot of litter. The place is ruined by rubbish and it seems such a pity. Graffiti is everywhere as well - you need to be positive and look beyond it.
After setting up camp we had a lovely cold shower and strolled down to the waterfront and sussed out the restaurants for our Sunday meal. We ended up choosing one that had a seating area on a jetty out into the sea. By the time we were sitting down the crowds had dispersed, a few fishing boats were bobbing on the water and the sun was setting. Added to that the service in the restaurant was impeccable - curteous, friendly and an Italian Bob Hoskins to entertain us with his tales of England. The food was good too - starters of mozarella - mine with tomato and basil, Steves with prosciutto. Then I had a seafood pasta and Steve had crab ravioli with a cream sauce and parmesan - home made pasta too. We drank the local white wine which was gorgeous and chilled to perfection. We think we're going to like it here!
Tomorrow is a trip to Pompeii so an early night is called for.
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