Cash's Holiday

Cash's Holiday

Last posting – Ireland

July 19th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

Monday 19th Hi, Well this is it……the last post!
Currently we are based in Kilkenny (Dublin’s about 2 hours drive north). We leave here mid-day tomorrow to comfortably make the airport drop off for the car. Our Etihad flight doesn’t leave till 9.00pm (Tuesday) from Dublin…..stops over at Abu Dhabi then on to Sydney……another wait before we continue on to Auckland………and home sweet home Thursday p.m……and sleep !!!!! hopefully.

Glad I decided to do this blog (thanks to Anna) She has one for little Ellie…..(It’s called `Ellie’s Journey’ and can be found on the blogtown site). At times it was frustrating fitting the time in when so much was happening but pleased to give you at home, a chance to experience things along with us……and to be honest, in doing so, made NZ for me, not seem so far away.

Wonderful to have had a home away from home stay with Bevan in Singapore (and catching up with Britta as she juggled work commitments), Jo Morrison in London, Phil and Olivia up in Lancashire, Maeve and Henry and Dominic in Devon, and to have the generous use of Sam and Deidre’s house in Galway……That family touch, being shown around, travel advice….so much. All helped to make this holiday go beyond expectations.

Have found Ireland just as rewarding as everywhere else….in spite of the weather. Couldn’t help but notice throughout though, the boom and bust situation here…..(at least in the building industry). Evidence of projects – individual homes to housing estates started and left half finished. But one thing stands out with the Irish, from our many historical delvings, they bounce back no matter what happens…..the `lonely planet’ publication says….when visiting Ireland, always – take an umbrella, wear layers and stop to talk……the people being its greatest asset. How true we have found that. (:) G
Hi,
Dave here for a short and final contribution. Well we off home tomorrow, just does not seem real. With the length of travel I seem to have become detached from our everyday life at home and despite the pleasure of the travelling through such interesting countries it will be great to be back. The trip certainly has been well worthwhile. Each country had amazing beauty spots, variations in affluence and the culture. The cultural issues are sometimes quite subtle, but there regardless! Visiting, interacting and observing certainly allows you to absorb and consider the lifestyles these people enjoy.
Thanks to family and friends for such generous hospitality. You all know how welcoming we will be in returning that generosity.
NZ had better turn on the weather for us!
Bye, Dave

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Ireland

July 15th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

Hello, Finally, internet connection, …… This blog follows a bit like a diary as have been formatting this in word as the days have passed.

Wed 7th. Our final stage has begun. …… Flew from Exetor (in Devon) to Dublin…..didn’t take long, bit like Auckland to Wellington….seems your no sooner in the air then start to descend again, – arrived to a windy, cool Ireland. Massive construction work at the airport…seemed to have to walk for ages with what luggage that didn’t have wheels attached, being draped around us.

Managed to get rooms in a central hotel (via the internet) at exceptional rates …..we learnt why!!! Its in an area of many nightclubs and our hotel located/attached to one of the popular ones……till 4.00am. Closed windows helped muffle the base beat of the music…..welcome to Dublin. Picked up on a few amusing things during a bus tour of the city….the accent makes listening a little difficult…..`th’ sounds like `t’ ie Thirty is `turty’ and as far as the weather goes, they say its either – been raining, going to rain or it is raining……welcome to Ireland.

After two nights in Dublin, with Dave and I taking in a performance of `Riverdance’, we headed Northwest on a `Cash’ genealogy trail which took us into the county of Leitrum up near the border of Northern Ireland to a town called Drumshanbo. A sad but inspiring story unfolds (will make it brief)….but picture….many Irish families struggling to scratch out a living, the potato famine strikes 1845 – 51 tipping the balance. Ireland losses three million to death (starvation and disease) or emigration. The workhouse/poorhouse was the last resort for some and so it was that two sisters 16 & 17yrs were sent there by their parents as a means of survival. They became part of an emigration scheme that saw four thousand women shipped out to Australia. In only a few months of arriving, there is marriage for the 17 yr old to a `free’ (after doing his time) middle aged gentleman and between them they amass a reasonably large land holding. In time, that gutsy young women and her husband sponsored out her mother and younger siblings from Ireland after the death of her father. And so you have Mary and James Cash…..their children….eight of them, never had to suffer the cold or hunger that Mary and her family did back in Ireland. We read of the hardship so many families endured…… misery and mortality.

Anyway to shed light on snippets of information that Jim had gathered up was very satisfying all round. And so it was we drove south to Galway….(located directly across from Dublin on the west coast of Ireland) Once again Anne’s family (aunt and uncle) offering their holiday house as our base. After all our time away, it is so nice to settle in one place and be able to call it home.

Have ventured out on day trips. – Northwest, doing a circuit of an area called Connemara, very stony land, with multiple little lakes. Interesting to see `peat’ being dug in brick form from the bog land….its stacked and dried, resulting in a fuel source. – West, On a 40 minute boat trip to the Aran Islands in Galway Bay…..now stony is an understatement…how people managed to live in such a barren waste I don’t know. It had very little soil but over years the combination of seaweed and sand mixed with what soil could be found in crevices has resulted in what paddocks there are today….if they can be called paddocks. Dry stone fences creating multiple enclosures. The main island, Inishmore (one of three) is only 9km long and 2kms at the widest point. On arrival, passengers are beckoned over by the many mini van tour drivers….the choice is walk, hire a bike or tour via these vans….or trap & pony. The van driver who acquired our 20 euro’s had lived on the island all his 70? Years. The main employment has been fishing but now tourism plays a big part to the point that most households have someone involved in some way with one or the other. Listening about life on the islands and watching a movie filmed there in the 1940’s helped to round off our day out there. Could go into detail now but if anyone is interested some time, just ask for a quick review.
Wed 14th Day trip southwest to take in `The Burren’ in County Clare….. (`Boireann’ is Irish for Rocky Country) Rugged bare limestone hills overlook an estuary of Galway Bay. Pretty farmland at its base with once again dry stone walls being the main fencing material. The Cliffs of Moher were our next `tourist’ stop, and you can’t help feeling like a mob of sheep as its 8 Euro to park the car and view the cliffs….but spectacular they are…standing 200m above the sea. A sturdy stone slab fence gives security before the great drop….though we saw one idiot further along the cliff where the barrier is only a token gesture standing right on the edge.!!!

Been good to collect emails etc at last ….taking the small laptop has been the biggest plus for the whole trip. We head south in a few days. Then next week its homeward bound. We have all enjoyed everything about the trip but are looking forward to getting back to familiarity and family. (:) G

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Final days in England

July 6th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

Hi, What a rush my previous blog ended up……this is going to be no different. Returned to Horrabridge after a few days exploring Cornwall…..fly to Dublin tomorrow.
Our road trips have felt reasonably easy throughout England, distance between places seem to be over before you know it. ……..Put that down to such pretty countryside to look at (through the gaps in the miles of roadside hedging !!!!! ….wonderful world if you are a badger, but frustrating to eyes from a car). `Popped’ into Wales briefly…..little bit of genealogy curiosity…. The town of Pontypool plays a part in my family history but time didn’t permit to achieve much…will use the internet when home to delve. Wasn’t impressed with their modernising of the town centre (where my ancestors shop once stood) a real 1960? ugly result.
Our farm stay as mentioned (last blog) was really good, (thanks so much Phil – for that connection) The gypsy life is all very well but it’s so good to sleep in the same bed for more than two nights. Based near Bristol opens within easy reach area’s like Stonehenge, Bath…..picturesque ….. beautiful honey-coloured stone Georgian styled buildings, the River Avon twisting through the city.
Horrabridge was our next destination…..Anne’s childhood home town set in Devon. Approached it via the Dartmoor National Park. A good road takes you over the moorland, pasting farmland, little villages….a prison (as you pass through the approximate centre of the park) Dartmoor’s small ponies with their foals graze on the bracken right by the fenceless roadside…..free of restriction…..presumably to get rounded up for culling from time to time. Black faced sheep graze the paddocks…..the winters can be harsh on the moor which seems to spread out as far as you can see.
Dominic (Anne’s brother) took Dave and Jim rock fishing the first morning on a headland across from the Plymouth Harbour. Joining them later we explored the little villages and the NZ like rocky coastline. A good fish meal was enjoyed that night…..after further sight-seeing and good advise on Cornwall highlights we once again set off a two day road trip. The summer holiday season is about to start with gusto and Cornwall is a popular destination……short notice accommodation can be difficult then so we have been lucky……..On returning can understand why is so sort after, variation of rugged dramatic coastline to sandy beaches, little harbours guarded by huge concrete seawalls….the weather can change dramatically and many a boat has been lost on the Cornwall coast. Called into `Port Isaac’ the location for the TV program Doc Martin….what a pretty fishing village it is….and doesn’t appear spoilt by its fame. Cornish fishermen still go about their business, boats lie on their side on the sand, attached by long rope lines fore and aft. Cray & crab pots piled up. Lingered nearby to hear the strong Cornish accent as groups gathered.
Managed to call in to a number of seaside towns……Padstow, where the famous chef Rich Stein has settled himself….opening a seafood restaurant that requires a table booking months in advance to experience his dishes. St On to Land’s End…..which we saw with our eyes but not our feet…..huge car park to one side…pay for the `privilege’ to enter the area…..far too commercial for our liking….soon back out of there and on to a southern point further round were an open air theatre has been constructed on a cliff pace way above the sea `Minack Head’ is its location and all that you see was the creation and determination of one women (Rowena Cade) who in her 30’s and involved in the theatre, moved down to Cornwall and has the vision of what is there today…..spectacular, dramatic & inspirational. Her help came from various locals….one or two stayed with the project for years….mostly funded by this remarkable women who was still working on the site well into her 80’s. A trust continues her work and performances are booked out. The standard of plays are very high but seating costs are kept to a level that allows all to enjoy….so was the wish of Rowena Cade. Thinking about the inclement weather in England…..the plays are rarely cancelled so the outside elements must all add to the drama.
Stayed last night (Monday 5th) in a Harbour to wn of Falmouth…..what an interesting place to base yourself for a week or so to discover Cornwall….so central to a number of directions and another pretty coastal area. One other place I will quickly mention before I finish was the little (a lot of coastal villages are `little’) harbour of `Mousehole’ …..pronounced Mowzill by the locals….it is tiny…. with a solid sea wall whose entrance couldn’t be any wider than 15 – 20m. Approaching the gap by boat on a rough day must be like threading a needle. The village has seen one major tragedy that claimed the life’s of eight local men who as part of the volunteer coastguard ventured out to save a vessel who’s owner initially refused a tow for fear of selvage rights being enforced (he had his wife and child on board)!!!!! The skipper of the fatal rescue boat….realising how bad the conditions were refused to pick more than one man from the same family….for obvious reasons. Need to say no more except that a commemorative plaque is on the wall of the local inn, under which, the photo’s of the men…..what an impact that result would have had on such a small community.
And on that sad note we say a sad goodbye to England tomorrow……to return for sure. (:) G

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England North and heading South

July 2nd, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

Hello again,
Don’t know where the last five days have gone, since arriving in England, time has really flown. Weather has remained perfect (can’t count a few showers). Phil and Olivia made us so welcome, we were shown about Lancashire over our first few days…..was interesting seeing canal boats up close in a marina. They are so long and so narrow, must be like living in a sardine tin. Seeing how a canal `lock’ operates makes me recall a chat we had with a couple who had just returned from a canal boat holiday in France, they encountered so many locks that although they enjoyed it, they wouldn’t repeat the experience. ???
We are currently doing a farm stay just out from Bristol (South West England) It’s a 460 acre property, the couple are reaching semi-retirement age and have moved away from large stock numbers, looking at ways to diversify. They grow wheat, rapeseed oil and other stock foods. The house is about 150 years old and typical of the beautiful stone homesteads that are seen throughout the English countryside.
Our journey down to here has been loaded with interesting sights and experiences. On leaving Phil and Olivia’s we headed north to `Hadrian’s Wall’ (the northernmost boundary of Roman occupation, stretching from one coast to the other.) – Just south of Scotland. Fragments of the wall can be seen at varying sites….122 AD it was built by the Roman Emperor `Hadrian’, to keep at bay the `barbarians’ further north, after years of futile fighting to conquer the land. Control came through guarded gateways for 300 yrs.
Found a castle to explore….not huge but original enough to give a get a good feel of life back then. Stayed overnight near the County Durham/Northumberland boundary area in what originally was an Abbey built 1165 !!!! …… hard to comprehend its age ,. The picturesque little village is often used as a film set for 18th century themes.
Our road trip took us through the Lake District…..obvious why it’s such a popular holiday destination…don’t have to describe it…use your imagination and you will have it…..Hills, woodlands, lakes (of course), clusters of little villages…..very pretty. Phil had helped plot a path for us to get the most out of our time away…….this took us through a PASS of all Passes located just south of the Lakes area as we made our way back south. There was a warning sign stating vehicle restrictions. In the distance you see a very narrow road, zigzagging up and out of sight. We snaked our way up….not necessarily steep drop offs but terrain steep enough that stopping (for a photo) caused anxious hill starts. Cars ahead crawling round each hairpin bend. Photo’s limited of the experience, the mind concentrates on helping the driver…. It’s actually two passes, one after the other..called Wrynose & Hardknot pass. Could do it again.
I’m beginning to run out of time for this blog… will quickly say, we arrived back at Phil and Olivia’s full of `the pass experience’…big grin on Phil’s face…… and now bringing you up to date, made our way to this South West area….visited Stonehenge, Bath etc…all without disappointment. Now off further south to Anne’s home town of Horrabridge in Devon.
That’s all I have time for…may come back to Bristol in my next blog if time permits…(:) G

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Central Lancashire

June 26th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

Hi, Today is Saturday 26th, we drove direct from London to Cental Lancashire (Northwest England) on Thursday….. All Whites were due to play Paraguay. Scanned the radio stations for the commentary but had to be satisfied listening to the Italian – Slovakia game with snippets of NZ’s fate. Countryside flashing past from the motorways. Roads reasonably busy as you would expect. To be back on the `correct’ side of the road again…..bliss.
Currently staying with Anne’s (our lovely new daughter-in-law) Aunt and Uncle in Preston…….”Preston – why on earth are you going there”, has been one comment from a southern Englishmen. Well I don’t know where he was comparing this area with but it must be outstanding because the countryside, villages etc that we have been shown are beautiful here – little lanes, lovely rolling farmland, fells (higher than a hill, but not classed as a mountain) stone fences, hawthorn hedges……i.e. plenty of green space. Lovely little pubs….with their `English’ colours fluttering in support of their football team.
The weather has been perfect…..but no rain for five weeks is taking effect…..a river just below Olivia and Phil’s house has slowed to the point of becoming `sick’ as Jims describes it, with the green algie seen floating on its surface. We have been introduced to `Black Pudding’, …a type of sausage (made from pigs blood, bran, oats and whatever!) ….as long as the mind doesn’t linger on the thought, it’s actually quite nice.
Lancashire was the heart of the cotton mills back in the 1800’s – early 1900’s. The tall red brick chimneys now stand idle, with the big factories converted to accommodate other multiple commercial units. I have bought a book based on that era, the author himself having been born on the floor of the carding room of one of those mills….speaks volumes of the hardships endured.
Well our plans are to go north for a few days and investigate the Lake District. Local knowledge is such an advantage when planning a trip…… Thanks Phil. (:) G

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Goodbye Europe, Hello UK

June 24th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

Hello hello,….. Our 75min ferry trip from Calais to Dover was a pleasant experiance…..English speaking.
Dropped car off, sad in some ways, after two months….Euro lease system worked out really well….thanks for putting us on to that Chris. Covered 9,190 km.
Currently in London….weather is absolutely wonderful….staying with Jo Morrison, so good to catch up.
Going back to our arrival…Our first night in England was spent in Brighton….a brown pebble shoreline makes the beach, `the’ amusement pier jutting out in front of the main town area….the whole place oozing with character, our old hotel overlooked the sea and really set the scene.
Personally, I’m very excited to be here in the UK….just something about it….always been an attraction for me……the rows of little houses, quaint little shops….and there certainly are plenty of them around Brighton (only an hour from London). Saw a few sights that couldn’t help turn the head….lets just say Brighton attracts a colourful collection of people who have trouble deciding what gender pool they belong to.

Hi Dave here,
Last days in France have been cool weather, but it certainly is a lovely country. You do notice the difference in the culture between Italy and France. The French drive more orderly, predictably,slower speeds and they do park a fraction better.

Returned the Peugeot on the 21st at Calais Port. Dropped it at the door of the ferry terminal, ticket purchase just inside the door and through customs onto the ferry via a curtesy bus. SIMPLE!!
Arrived at Dover terminal and the curtesy phone for the hire car is hanging off the wall. We have no phone number for the hire company, and thus the fun begins. However we were saved by one of the service staff in the terminal. He could not do enough to help, a great guy. I must say, had it been France or Italy we may have taken some considerable time to sort it out with our language skills.
We arrive at the hire car office and they want to give us a smaller vehicle than we booked. Luggage would not fit, after some delay, sorted that, got a bigger car and on our way with great service and advice from our mate Brian. Big guy, smart mouthed and unusually nice guy. Following good advice on the route to take, (“don’t go the coast road, it will take you days”) we had an easy drive to Brighton.
A good day there and off to London to spend some time Jo. A little like being home with the familar friendly face around. Thanks Jo!!
Quite a few hours in Kew Gardens today and off to the north tomorrow. We are not going to tackle the city, leave it for another time! We are enjoy watching a bit of football. NZ tomorrow at 3 p.m. We will ensure we are at a set to watch.
Weather has been perfect since we left France. Lets hope it holds.
I am off for now, I will leave it to Gail to finish off.
Dave
Me again….Dave mentioned Kew gardens…..they are amaising, 120 hectares, in West London (three train stops from Jo’s flat) A botanists dream with the biggest collection of plant species in the world….it ranges from manicured lawns/gardens to wild woodlands…..glasshouses. Days, rather than hours, do it more justice.
Well this post was started yesterday and its now today….so will get this away before today becomes yesterday again……..is your head in a spin now. (:) G

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Cinque Terre photo + update

June 19th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

Bonjour, For some reason I’m having trouble with loading photo’s and its becoming irritating to say the least….that will teach me for getting confident with this whole program.

We had a good run again yesterday, no great fan fare leaving Italy into France….sort of expect something apart from driving through toll gates. Skirted the coast to glimse Monaco…..it looks every bit `the’ place for the super rich, we only hesitated long enough to take in the sites of so called luxury….expensive looking everything…hotels, boats, swimming pools…all so pristeen, ….really worth a peek. Continued on for a coastal drive to take in part of the French Riviera….all good but as for beaches, Australia and NZ can’t be beaten. The sea still that beautiful clear blue.

Stayed last night in Avignon….what a pretty place…the Rhone River reminding me of the Waikato River but on a larger scale…..It flows through the city really setting everything off.

Another big leap in mileage to Dijon,the home of great mustard. Getting closer to Calais…..We are all having trouble dropping our `so called’ Italian…saying Grazie instead of Merci. The Football world cup is in full swing, we have been following a few games when possible…had to listen to the commentry in Italian, now in French….Australia is playing as I type this (multi tasking) NZ play Italy tomorrow…. Weather cooled considerably…. the weeks are starting to disappear fast. ……. Anne, looking forward to our UK section….to be able to communicate easily a real plus. (:) G

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Cinque Terre

June 18th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

Thursday 17th Hi, Time allows to do this back to back post…..what a treat. You wouldn’t believe how our day started…..Dark sky and thunder rolling around….rain…. not heavy, just annoying. As mentioned in last blog, the plans today were to see the strip of coastline renowned for its terraced hillsides and 5 picturesque villages, called `Cinque Terre’ which is world heritage listed ….. located just north of La Spezia.

Our weather down south was perfect……driving north,- could see it deteriorating. Heard about the flooding in France…..(made pre-booked accommodation checks as our planned path comes very close to the stricken area as we head up to Calais to return the car.) What an awful situation for those affected.

It did cross my mind that cancelling our day was a serious option…..but miracles do happen…..the sky was so dark to begin with, gloomy….not exactly good photo taking weather….only here for one day….got to make the most of it….. So raincoats, umbrella’s in tow, caught the train that runs at regular intervals, enabling visitors to get off and on, option being to walk the pathways that wind between the villages or stay on till the train stops at each station, then wander round. By 11.ooam the sun was out and the only disappointment was….only one pathway was open due to risk of rock fall. The area is so unique, villages so pretty…..well worth a visit. Hope the few photo’s do it justice.

We say goodbye to Italy tomorrow…..it’s been so good, Jules Italian was by far the best, she saved the day many times. The things that stand out are the narrow roads that our GPS `Esmeralda’ insisted to be the best option….only twice had to stop, wind the window down and flick the side mirrors inward to avoid the risk of scratching `Pepe’ Peugeot. The warmth of the Italians we met. The flagons of delicious local red wine. “Ciao Ciao” Italy. (:) G ……ps Having trouble with photo edits…they will have to wait.

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Sicily & heading north

June 16th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

Wed. 16th …..Hello `blog’….and all who are still hanging on in there. It’s been hit and miss (mostly miss) with internet access since leaving Soriano (so spoilt there). Actually I began this blog on leaving NZ with a little trepidation. 1. Regarding control of the program itself and 2. Making it interesting without boring you all to death. I’ve not been one to keep a diary but as this is progressing, I have to admit, I’m having fun reporting in.

Crossed back over from Sicily yesterday. Only a 20min ferry trip. The weather during the week was perfect…..bordered on really hot ….a dry heat. Will be honest and say my personal opinion of Sicily is so so, but keep in mind it’s a large area and we only saw a fraction of it…….Our home base was at a little place called `Fontane Bianche’ (just south of Siracusa) situated two hours + drive on the south east coast from the ferry port of Messina…. the beaches in our area were smallish and of varying sand quality but the clarity of the water everywhere was SOOOO good, really enjoyed the swims.

We investigated the mountainous inner regions near us….some productive places but mostly so dry and stony…..hillsides layered in stone terraces…abandoned huts….life must have been hard for some. Drove round the flat coastal roads…area’s varied from fertile to so poor, where land was left to waste away through neglect or lack of hope (maybe). Litter just about everywhere caught up in the long roadside grass……surely someone could get off their backside and do something, but people seem happy to just sit around, looking and talking. Anyway, sorry to rave a bit, it’s disappointing to see. The publication `lonely planet’ describes Sicily as bitter-sweet…..

In summary though, we enjoyed our `base’. The house had no oven or toaster or washing machine, so Dave improvised an old BBQ and with added bricks made up a charcoal cooker….. lovely smoky tasting toast….slow food….washing our cloths in an outside concrete tube…just like camping, we lived well.

Our mileage over the last 36 hrs has been of mammoth proportions.. ..two big leaps…..From the `Toe’ of Italy to halfway up the `leg’(Salerno) 600kms. Then another 660km today…..the tollway making it a reasonably comfortable trip.

La Spezia (top north-west coast)is our base for the next two nights….the gateway to what’s called the `Cinque Terre’…..consisting of 5 villages along the coastline here, cars are heavily discouraged (high parking fee’s) Best option of transport is by a train service or ferry boats. Apparently it’s a World Heritage site with its stretch of sea a marine reserve……So now that we have internet for the next two nights will hopefully have time to let you know what it is like…… (:) G

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Sicily

June 10th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

Hello, ……Arrived Sicily Tuesday 8th. First impressions don’t rate too highly. Our villa is really comfortable and spacious, surrounded by a secure high fence & plastered block walls. A locked iron gate. …….Beautiful front yard, very private, planted up with ornamentals at the road end and fruit trees down the side. The surprise is a well tended vege garden taking up what’s left of the front yard. So no lawn just tilled soil……..Apparently the house is overseas owned and is supervised by a local guy who’s father is `the gardener’. The immediate properties are of similar presentation, each with their high walls but herein lies the reason??…….Driving through, the district itself seems very poor, maybe once could have had a get up and go spirit but certainly now has a got up and gone look about it. Overseas ownership could be due to bargain property prices?? Only surmising on my part.
Will come back to this soon but will briefly go back in time (while I have time) as no internet here so posting this on `word’ to transfer over later when we go to explore out of our `enclave’ as Jim calls it. Our one night in Leece had us staying in the old quarter….big piazza with stage being erected for a big night??. Buildings a bit worse for wear but the impression is one of renovation happening.
On down the coast, the sea so clear and blue. Built up areas, rocky outcrops, nothing really wow but nice enough. Stopped for a seafood lunch right on the waters edge of a swimming beach….private section cordoned off with the sun umbrella’s massed together. Our destination for the following two nights was an area called Morano Calabro located within a national park….`Parco Nazionale Del Pollino’. The attraction an Agritourisum farm stay. Into traditional home cooked food. The property containing convent ruins dating back to 1700’s. The outbuildings lower down the valley, now renovated and converted into guest accommodation, the main house also part of the original concept caters for the dinning / entertainment area. We were able to wander at will, exploring the various tracks leading to the convent, waterfalls, general bush walks etc. The location is one of strategic importance due to a pass through the mountains…..so all very pleasant with our cold drinks sitting in the running water nearby, the birds, the bush, terraced pastures………Plus the AUTOSTRADE. The modern equivalent of travel…..so add to the picture and ribbon vehicles droning past…but the noise was acceptable so didn’t intrude too much…..just amusing really.
Anyway time is running out for me to continue on too much more….we are leaving soon to explore so will finish by saying Sicily on arrival looks mountainous, dry, stoney, very built up, high rise dropping to ugly coastal sprawl but I reserve the right to be wrong as give us a few days and its appeal is bound to present itself. (:) G ….trip in general going really great, many books being read, experimenting with food, weather balmy.
By the way, our internet access may be intermittant over the next couple of weeks. As I said before we don’t have it at the house so will connect when opportunity presents itself.

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