The night before last we didn’t go out to dinner, Ariane and Ham cooked some chicken and a salad to eat at home. This apartment is really quite small and not the best place to cook but they manage, with very little, to produce a fine feed.
Yesterday I went out a bit earlier and had my coffee, did a bit of super marketing and then came back. We all went out about lunch time (Ham does some work in the morning) and set out to walk up to Palazzo Reale, the royal palace of the Normans. We got distracted on the way by stopping at a great restaurant for lunch. Had some lovely fresh fish (Groper) and spaghetti with tuna eggs (Botargo), clams and fresh tomatoes….delicious.
We finally got to the Palazzo Reale and we were blown away by the Capella Palatine within, with its amazing mosaics decorating every inch of this magnificent little chapel. Superb. Within the palace there was also an exhibition of the work of Botero who painted a modern day version of the crucifixion of Christ…brilliant, we all really enjoyed it.
Then we walked around the upper town ticking off a number of churches we wanted to see along the way. Starting with Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St John the Hermit), the ruins of an Arab/ Norman Church/ Mosque, then the ornate Baroque Chiesa del Gesu covered in marble carvings. Only problem was that it seemed to be a very popular day for weddings so we were inhibited in our ability to explore. Then on to Chiesa di San Cataldo, again a fusion of the Normans and the Arabs in a beautiful elegance, again inhibited by a goddam wedding. Time for a drink and a small rest then moving closer to home for Ham and Ariane to have an icecream sandwich (literally masses of ice-cream in a brioche). Then we came home for a bit of a rest and then out for dinner.
The place we were recommended to go to for dinner was hugely popular and we had to queue for a table for half an hour or so but it was worth it. The food was delicious and very cheap. I had Seppia di Nero followed by Swordfish Involtini and then (hard to believe I know!!) followed up with a Canolo. A big meal with a bottle of wine and 20 Eu a head….great value.
Today Ham is working this morning and wants to watch the football. I could go stir crazy so will head out to do my own bit of wandering.