Author: Joy Farrimond

More about Gargano

Yes we are still here as it is a lovely place to be.

I am not able to put in photos in the way Martin can, so my posts may not have the same attractive feel to them!

Another uphill cycle ride to Vico del Gargano this morning, but this time we set off at 9am not 11am so it was much cooler. I only had one short “walk uphill with my bike” this time so perhaps I am getting a bit fitter? I took my mind off the exertion and the heat of pushing my bike by eating the ripe blackberries in the hedgerows. Yum Yum.

I plucked up courage to ask the way to the post office and was able to understand the reply which was the directions and also that it was closed as it is Saturday. I ventured into a tobacconist shop knowing that this is where you can buy stamps in France, and bingo! I exited with the stamps I required.

Unfortunately I have developed prickly heat rash so lying in the sun today was a no-no for me, so I spent quite a bit of time in the pool keeping cool. Oh it is hard life!

An oasis in the hills of Gargano

Now in Promontorio del Gargano. I didn’t know this bit of Italy existed! It is a beautiful area with a large part of it being a national park. It is hilly – a lot of Italy is mountainous we have found.  The coastline has 2 large lagoons.

The camp site is up in the hills somewhere near Vico del Gargano. We are not sure where we are exactly as the road was twisty and narrow and we just followed the instructions we had from the website! However that matters not as this is a little oasis of calm and relaxation. A beautiful pool which overlooks the coastline,

The Adriatic beyond the tomato field

hammocks and comfortable chairs in the shade and even an outside double bed for a midday nap when the sun is too hot! Camping is very informal here – choose your spot in the woodlands and set up camp. No regimented marked out plots here – take note Camping and Caravanning club uk. The downside of this is that the best spots were already taken. But we eventually found a shady glen big enough to take our monster van.

We are very comfortable …..now did we have a plan to go to Pompei?…..

Thunder storms, rain & biting insects

We travelled over the hills from our overnight stop in St Giovanni Incarico to the Adriatic coast. The scenery was yet again awesome. As we went east it looked more dry and arid and the temperature rose. “It probably doesn’t rain so much here” I said. That was on Saturday. Sunday brought thunderstorms and heavy rain, which cleared by 4pm so hurrah! – we headed for the pool. Lovely! Today, more thunder and light rain and feels cool at 21 degrees C.

Unfortunately the stormy weather doesn’t deter the biting insects here in our woody glen – 20 bites and still counting!

Did a couple of bike rides today as we were in need of a bank machine & few provisions. First bank machine didn’t like our card and we couldn’t find the supermarket…

Returned to campsite and had a chat with Christiana at the reception, who was lovely and gave us some helpful information about the whereabouts of another bank machine and supermarket in the town of Fossacesia.

Set off again in late afternoon and made the long climb up to Fossacesia, hoping the black clouds were not coming our way. First bank machine was out of order, and we were beginning to get a little worried. Thankfully the second bank machine accepted our card. A happy hour was then spent in the supermarket trying to find the essentials we needed. The lady at the delicatessen counter was very patient with my attempts to speak Italian but we laughed and gesticulated and I bought two types of cheese, one of which she assured me was “moo cow” – but I’m sure they will taste good! I wish I could speak Italian though – it’s frustrating and embarrassing being unable to communicate.

Moving on again tomorrow…

Hello from Bolsena

Well…..I haven’t got round to writing much on here so far! Too time consuming with poor internet connection and frustrating!

Life on the road is very different but getting used to it.  The lake here in Capodimonte is very beautiful this morning. We are camped right on the shore and I enjoyed a swim in the early morning sun. The water is very warm and the sand made it easy to get in. We parked up the first night at a motorhome stop just up the road which was quiet (apart from the football practice until 11.30pm at the adjoining sportsground. But the view and the birdlife was beautiful and all for 10 euros for 24 hours. No facilities though so we came to the camp site for a night for the internet and to “service” the van i.e. empty waste water, toilet, fill up with fresh water and recharge our electrical equipment!

Off again shortly….