post card from Sicily

  As is  biga's way, on the day we were setting off on holiday, he set about with some DIY, other work, packed the same day and then off we set, mostly a very smooth journey, although I was shocked at just how expensive the food was at the airport. We met up with the Ws and the holiday began. A had a little fall and hurt her leg. It didn't stop hey but was nasty and I think she'll have a scar. 

The drive in the night was a bit unsettling, I'd forgotten it was the other side of the road and it was already very dark. BigA was brilliant and quickly got used to it all. I doubt I would have been so confident. The stereotype of Italian driving has lived up to it's reputation on this trip. BigA has been amazing at navigating through the odd roads. We remarked that we can't quite imagine doing this in the days before satnav. 

The place we are in is very lovely and interesting, lots of space and unusual pieces of art and pottery scattered about. We've been having a wonderful time. The garden is huge and we wake to the sun climbing over the Cyprus trees and the morning chorus. The pool is a disappointing green so no swimming, but I'm sure it would only have been the Ws who would be brave enough to plunge into the cold water. There are orange and lemon trees offering us fruit and each part of the house has a generous amount of space and character. Most walls are plain white or hand painted tiles. The various nooks and crannies making it feel lived in. 

BigA and Michael had arranged a meet up with a local ultimate Frisbee group in our first day, we headed into a town and the beach there, sadly quite a lot of rubbish around and a fair bit of wind and rain. We ate at one of the still open restaurants there, lovely food, the Ws and M enjoying the fresh sea food. The two men and Bobby went off to play, M and A2 set off to see the sea while the rest of us took a trip to Aldi. Funny to see some things were exactly the same and others totally different. This week we've mainly had our evening meals at the house and had some really lovely dishes, using the herbs and spices to hand. 

To start the holiday proper, we took the short drive up to Mount Etna, we hadn't really brought the right clothes to spend very long in the snow, it was crisp and fresh, we decided to take a short walk around, a warm cuppa and snack and then we drove back down into a town which was mainly closed up, because it's not the full tourist season. We bought some food from a little shop and sat in the town square and had an impromptu picnic. The sun just warm enough to make it pleasant and the food was fresh and interesting so it felt special. 

We enjoyed the mild sunny day in Syracuse on Tuesday. Looking at the historic buildings, we wandered around a castle and the site where both a Roman and Greek amphitheatre have been uncovered and somewhat preserved. This town was more of what I was expecting of an Italian city, the small cobblestone roads mixed in with the generous square with marble tiles all in the dusty lemon and peach shades of brick with terracotta tiles and the narrow roads. We saw some man made caves and walked a lot, the weather was perfect. Not too hot nor cold. We set the three girls off on their own with the phrase book in hand to see what they could discover on their own. All of us finding our way around before being again by a magnificent fountain before a delicious lunch. 

I've enjoyed the holiday pace along with a good book. Listening to plenty of podcasts. I decided to avoid Facebook and Instagram while away and as ash Wednesday fell mid week I decided to give up Facebook for lent. There's a few people with whom I only connect that way but I think the break will do me good. Can't quite bring myself to quit Instagram for that long but I do intend to reduce. 

We headed into the Catania for an evening meal and walk in the town square with the impressive buildings. 

We ventured off on Thursday to a small town, similarly beautiful with another amphitheatre to view. Once again lovely food and lots to see. We ended the day at a beach, M, BigA and Michael daring to swim in the sea. Far too cold for me. But we all laughed and enjoyed throwing and catching a few frisbees, collecting interesting stones and chatting. 

Yesterday we had a day by the sea, M and R having a proper swim and M managing a little one. We had food in the sun and of course an ice cream. We then headed back to the villa to cook up the food we had left, an odd mix of things we hadn't used up but lovely all the same. 

Today is our last day, we have flights quite late on. We'll probably head into the main town and have a wander.