Well the weather has cleared and the days are now perfect, sunny and warm. The view from our apartment perched over the Mediterranean and looking across to Etna is just simply perfect. The swimming pool is perched on the edge of the cliff and the apartment with its expansive terraces is made for an outdoor lifestyle. Very relaxed and holidayish!!
We have been exploring the towns around us each day. The day before yesterday we went into Catania, a bustling, busy town. We wandered for a bit and then went to the fish market to buy supplies. There was every kind of fish available and we bought our Mussels, clams, calamari and scampi. The scampi, however, turned into a silly disaster thanks to me. I am designated spokesperson because of my extremely limited Italian which, although totally appalling, is better than anyone elses. So I go to get a few Scampi because I love them. I try to bargain down the price and he says he’ll give me all he has left (3 kg) for 10 Eu and I say OK. Ariane looks at me aghast, saying WHAT are we going to do with 3kg of Scampi???? As she is the cook, how the hell would I know.
After buying our fish we went to a wonderful fish restaurant within the market. It was heavenly and we ate our fill of mussels, clams and prawns etc. Then we headed back to the car and made our way home with a purchases of seafood. The strong smell of seafood was overwhelming even when we got it into the fridge and Hammy, particularly, complained bitterly about it. The small was coming from, you guessed it, my scampi. I went through them and discarded those that were suspect and separated out the ones that looked good. But the unease about the scampi could not be erased from my brain. So the next day I bundled them all up and out they went…my bargain gone to shit!!
Notwithstanding we had a most delicious meal of Mussels created by Ariane that night, sitting out on the balcony as the sun set. It couldn’t have been more idyllic.
Yesterday Hammy did some work in the morning and then we headed off to Noto to explore this town, listed as a World Heritage Site. We went in search of a restaurant noted in the LPG as excellent. This entailed a hike up to the High town only to find that the restaurant was closed. So down we came again and found another nice restaurant where we had a delicious meal. Not fish this time, we are starting to feel rather fished out! We then wandered the very pretty Baroque town with its beautiful golden, sandstone buildings. It is lovely but not totally overwhelmingly beautiful. We then headed back home and once again Ariane created a grand meal, this time preparing Calamari from the fully intact squid. No mean feat!!
Today is Saturday and our lovely pool is suddenly full of kiddies here for the weekend I guess. Ham and Ariane have just been for a swim in the ocean. Access is a bit tricky so I have to pluck up a bit more courage and maybe have both boys on hand to help if needs be.
More tomorrow…when Ang and Kirst arrive.