tropea

an interesting drive here somewhat spoiled by the constant roadworks – lots of new tunnels – but compensated by the most amazing mountainous countryside some of it designated as national parks. The campsite is in essence much the same as the last one, a campsite by a beach but there the similarity ends! The water here was clear, calm and warm when I swam in it this afternoon as opposed to brown soup!

The bar/market is open whereas the last one looked as if it closed in the last century! And there is more than one shower although, admittedly, we shall have to pay all of 50 centimes for hot water. The town towers above us on cliffs, paestrum proper we never actually found. Just acres of poly tunnels as far as the eye could see. We spotted the marina as we drove in and wondered exactly where val and stu's boat is. we shall find out when we come back here at the end of the week...if plan a continues to go well! We've booked the same pitch as there is a blues festival in town and we thought it may get busy. The town is but the site is 'tres tranquil' at the moment. Later..... we climbed the many steps to the town centre on top of the cliff behind the site. not far to go except up!

it is a very antique and crumbly town full of souvenir shops and restaurants. we ate very well in a trattoria and then wandered about taking in the place and the people. the season may be over but plenty of tourists still around to give the place a holiday buzz. the blues festival was putting on a film show tonight and a charlie chaplin season starts on thursday. We ate gelata and listened to a pianist warming up for later. A lovely evening and more to come we hope. Buon serre!