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Malcolm LesterMalcolm Lester
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traveled in 8 countries Read more Normandy, France
  • Italy
    Day 21

    Olive farm

    September 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    After a morning just pottering and a visiting the supermarket to pick up some wine we went on a visit to an Olive farm.

    What a treat, who knew how much work is involved, well obviously the people who own the farm, but I would never have guessed what was involved.

    We were given a tour by the daughter in law of the owner, a very family run affair. She took us into one tiny part of the trees to one tree of 900 hundred years old still producing olives. The olives on this farm are used for oil and are picked in April.

    The process is long and produces the most exquisite oil, I have never tasted anything like it.

    We learnt about the care of the trees, grafting on new parts to older trees and how important pruning is.

    Then we got to taste, just like tasting wine, three different strengths of the oil. We bought some to bring home and I will never underestimate oil again.    Read more

  • Italy
    Day 20

    A road trip to Itria Valley

    September 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    A quaint little town, Ceglie Messapica, on a hill.

    We sat and had coffee in the square and watched the world go by then had a wander around very quiet streets before heading to Martina Franca. Picnicking on the way.

    It was still siesta time when we arrived so still fairly quiet. Giving us time to walk round and enjoy the ambiance before the coach tours arrived.

    As we sat down to have a drink at a bar with a singing bar man a group arrived. One lady was singing away and dancing to the music, keeping everyone entertained. I met her in the queue for the toilet and we had a jig before she went to sit outside. Another lady from the same group who spoke English said her friend was always like this and that her husband was very quiet. It turns out this group were Polish and on a pilgrimage.

    Can’t help wondering if they went to Rome to see the Pope, hope the dancing lady made him smile if they did.    Read more

  • Italy
    Day 19

    A visit to Polignano

    September 24, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Yesterday we woke to a slightly cooler morning and decided to take a drive to Polignano.

    Needing to stop for the loo on the way we pulled into a service area just before a coach full of people. Swiftly moving to find the ladies before the coach doors opened was my best decision of the day.
    Two toilets and an awful lot of ladies with crossed legs!

    Arriving in Polignano we parked by a newly built and still under construction sea wall.
    The sea was the deepest blue and a little tetchy, beating against the rocks below.

    The wind was strong but warm and we had a good walk along the top before stopping for a drink at a very noisy cafe. Italians are not known for their noise and passion for nothing. Two tables of about 8 people each all seemingly talking at once.

    Retracing our steps we ventured back to the relative quite of wind and sea walking back towards the old town. Meandering through an alley we stopped to look at a lunch menu when the owner bumped into me and apologised as only an Italian man can to a strange woman. We wanted to sit and eat there but there was no room, we waited around for a few minutes but gave up and found a restaurant with pizza. What else!

    Finding a table we shared a pizza of Gorgonzola, mozzarella, red onion and sausage plus a glass of wine each. Delish.

    We then just wandered around this beautiful old town finally making our way back to the car via the same alley. The small restaurant was now empty with the patron and staff sitting in the sun. As we passed he graciously apologised for not having a table for us then told me he loved me anyway, which made us all laugh.    Read more

  • Italy
    Day 17

    The Sea

    September 22, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 31 °C

    Popped into the Tourist Information to ask about beaches, it’s the same funny little man who sold us olives, we see him again later working in another shop. He may of course be one of triplets but we will never know.

    Anyway he gives us a map and marks a quiet beach and off we go, armed with hats, chairs, books, towels and bathing gear.

    We can see the sea from the roof terrace in our strange little house, not far away.

    It takes about 15 minutes by car and we drive along some beautiful rocky land with the sea bashing against the rocks until we come to the recommended beach.

    It is incredibly hot the sand burns our feet and there is no shade. There is a beach umbrella provided by our host so we put that up to gain a little shade but the wind decides it isn’t a good idea and after a battle with the elements we give up.

    But onwards and upwards, we read for a while then venture into the sea which is a tad chill. I can feel my neck burning even through factor 50 so think it best to get out of the sea.

    Sitting for a while longer we decide burning is not a good idea and leave to find some lunch.    Read more

  • Italy
    Day 16

    Discovering Ostuni Old Town

    September 21, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Wandering the Cathedral area.
    The Duomo di Ostini is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Santa Maria Assunta). The facade acquired its rose window in the 15th century, while the interior has a number of artworks that cover the ceiling and altars. The Scoppa Arch built in 1750 and just up from the Cathedral connects the Seminary to the Bishopric building. Steps then lead into the old parts of the ‘White City’.Read more

  • Italy
    Day 15

    Minori to Ostuni and Puglia

    September 20, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    A drive from the Amalfi Coast to Puglia and our Airbnb in Ostuni, known for its whitewashed old town. The journey was through a bleak, bare landscape on roads that had constant roadworks which slowed us down (though seemingly, no workers!). Once nearing the coast, the landscape changed to numerous olive groves before arriving at our destination.

    Our apartment was situated in a narrow stepped street, one of many heading uphill opposite the old town of the ‘White City’. A steep set of stone steps led up to the lounge/dining area, a small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. A further set of steps led to a second bedroom and a terrace with dining area, followed by further steps up to a second terrace. Fantastic views of the old city and the olive groves heading towards the sea!    Read more

  • Italy
    Day 15

    Minori to Ostuni

    September 20, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Leaving Minori and the lovely peace of the lemon garden we start our journey following the winding coast road towards Solerno, luckily it was fairly quiet and we got to the motorway without any problems.

    It was a four hour journey along some very different landscapes, always surrounded by mountains. The roads here are in a pretty sorry state but there are a lot of road works or at least there are bollards and signs to say there are road works but I think we saw one man in a digger so it could take some time!

    We stopped at a cafe/bar for a drink on route and it was like being in the Wild West. The man behind the bar made us a sandwich and we had a cold drink outside on red plastic tables that had certainly seen better days. But it set us up for the remainder of the journey.

    Finally we arrived in Ostuni and began the search for our accommodation. A little tricky but we got there in the end.    Read more

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