Rome

We are on a TGV train going from Bari to Rome. Quite pleasant looking out the window at the green fields, with rolling hills and extinct volcanoes in the background. Takes four hours.

One night in Rome, then to the airport quite early in the morning.

Now in Rome. What a fabulously energetic city, crowded streets, people rushing in all directions, cars too. On one side of our hotel communal baths from the height of the Roman Empire, on the other, a huge church from 400AD, when the popes were beginning to take power from the Emperors.

We have loved every place we have been, but are now a bit weary of being tourists everywhere we go, and look forward to familiarity. We particularly look forward to seeing family and friends. Especially seven boys and girls and their mums and dads. Can't wait!

Puglia

Yesterday and today we have visited half a dozen small towns within twenty kilometres of Locorotondo. They each have their own character, but are similar too. Pale limestone, narrow streets meant for pedestrians, but top often cars squeeze through. Piazzas, many many churches, small parks with beautiful views over the valley below. Some have trulli houses, some baroque two story houses that are quite grand. Most tourists here are Italian, few are English speaking. 

People seem pretty relaxed, and there are always people, particularly groups of men, sitting on park benches, or outside bars, chatting away with hands gesticulating.

Puglia

We flew to Naples yesterday and then drove to Locorotondo, at the top of the heel of the Italian boot. 

We are staying in a new B&b, built in the gorgeous white stone that is everywhere here. It is built with a traditional trulli style roof.

We arrived late yesterday afternoon and were told there was a party for tourists in the old town.

Windy pedestrian streets, slippery white stone, two or three small piazzas, and a very small park. At the party we were given a glass of local wine and a plate of local produce to eat. The prosciutto and cheese were superb. There were speeches, in Italian, and then the dance troupe was announced. Then two little boys were walking around the park playing piano accordions. They were fantastic, and quite dramatic because it seemed like music was coming from the trees. The boys were about 6 and 8.

The dancers were dressed in traditional black dresses with white lace collars and red aprons, and the men were in black shirt and pants, with red sash and neckerchief. 

There were about twenty tourists watching, and the rest were local. The locals dress up for Saturday night much more than we do, hair done, jewellery, like 30 years ago.

Anyway, after their performance each dancer asked a tourist to dance, and we had a funny time trying to look like we didn't have two left feet!

So you never know what's next

Last photos of Valletta

You can see how religion is everywhere, on street corners a statue of a saint, a small shrine to Mary in a wall, and so many churches, grand and small. They have festas almost every day, celebrating one saint or another. And everyone knows which saint, and what he stands for. There are fireworks almost everyday, during the day!! As part of the celebration.

Gozo 3

Swimming has been the focus for the group in Gozo. They completed their relay around the island in two days, swum back to Malta on the third day, and today we had a picnic on the boat in while it was moored in a couple of beautiful little coves. They had caves and arches in the grey stone that came down to the water, and the water is a superb aqua colour. Even my swimming has improved.

Yesterday some of the 'girls' went on a Segway tour of inland villages. Riding a Segway is fun, and it takes you at a great speed for touring. Malta is a very Catholic country, and there are statues of Mary and others in niches on the walls of houses, and many churches, large and small. Beautiful architecture, inside and out, some have murals on ceilings and walls.

We visited one where it is believed that Mary came out of a painting and spoke to a local woman. There are now walls in the church completely covered in items in picture frames such as baby clothes. Each one is thanking Mary for a miracle.

At the same time, I am told there is a new govt here, and they have passed some quite liberal laws here with the blessing of the church.

Gozo 2

After visiting Hal Far we caught the ferry to Gozo, where we are now staying. We had a wonderful lunch of the freshest fish in a restaurant right next to the sea. We were with Toby and Ingrid, friends of Rob Anderson, and they were great fun. Ingrid is German, and quite self- conscious about it, leading to some teasing by Toby.!

Our small hotel is just a few metres from the sea, at the edge of a perfect inlet for swimming. There is a town a couple of km away.

Gozo

Yesterday was a special experience for me. We went to the actual airfield where Grandpa flew from, saw where he his quarters were above ground, and where they stayed underground when bombing raids were on. The fire brigade is now in charge of this area, and the deputy chief kindly escorted us.

Conditions underground must have been terrible. Not enough ventilation, generators and transformers going, dank and dark, no natural light, cramped spaces. I can imagine Grandpa would have just got on with the job, raining as cheerful as possible.

It was too dark to take good photos, but here are some