Blogs from Cefalù, Sicily, Italy, Europe

We’re woken at what feels like the crack of dawn by yet more fireworks, the noise from which would wake the dead. Midday we could understand, but a quick check of our watches confirms that it’s only 9am. We drift back into dreamland only to be reawoken a few minutes later by a noisy parade passing slowly, oh so slowly, down the narrow street in front of our apartment. We’re not quite sure exactly which patron Saint all this is supposed to be celebrating, but we assume whoever it was must have been an early riser. We’re awake now so we set off to climb the 300 or so metre high sheer cliff that towers over the town, up to Cefalu Castle. We pay the entry fee and are given tickets with bar codes on them ... read more

It was a long day of travelling yesterday so we rest up and then set off exploring. It seems that our building is part of Cefalu’s history. It’s built over the Lavatoio Medievale, a wash house that was built way back in 1514. We look right down into it from the balcony outside our front door. …and that might also explain why Issy’s sleeping on the sofa bed in the living room while I decide to try to tough it out in the bedroom. No it’s not because she used the wash house and I didn’t; Giovanni told us that he’s not allowed to put an air conditioner in the bedroom because of the building’s historic heritage, so it‘s a tad warm in there at night, and during the day for that matter … you could ... read more

Off early while the temperature was still cool. Via Roma to the Palermo Centrale Stazione. €5.60 pp single trip 67km to Cefalu...44mins with a few stops. Great views of the coastline & holiday places. Sat with a couple from San Diego who had been to stay at Wainui beach in Gisborne with a couple who happened to buy Jim's car! Also their friend attends the same Dentist Conference that Emily attends in San Diego. Into surfing big time so out came the Mickey Dora story. Scorching weather by the time we got there....far too hot for the beach!!..we stuck to the shade & cool like most other sensible people. A little gem of a place....old town set under the Rock (Cefalu Rocco). Quite overbearing. Cefalu's main resource was fishing. The Norman Chiesa 1131...sitting at the highest ... read more

Today we have to farewell our wonderful hostess. It has been a delight staying here at Rustico San Leonardo, the name of our apartment. It has been well designed with great outdoor seating where we have breakfast each morning or drinks and nibbles late afternoon. Our hostess has been more than generous. With her lack of English and our lack of Italian we had a very happy relationship. The daughter was a great help when she visited. Our three days were not enough but we felt sorry for those who arrived late afternoon and then prepared to leave on an early flight next morning from the nearby airport. We are sure they didn’t appreciate their stay as we have. We have a long drive across Northern Sicily to Milazzo. If we drive the toll road the ... read more

Heerlijk, ontbijten met zon en uitzicht over de zee. Het is wel een beetje heiig, maar het is evengoed genieten. De jongedame van de agriturismo die het ontbijt verzorgt, heeft het er maar druk mee. Zelf gebakken broodjes, cake, koffie, thee, fruit, yoghurt, eitje en beleg, het wordt allemaal netjes geserveerd. Daarna gaan we eens even relaxen bij het zwembad. Het is al erg warm en het water is dan zelfs in de vroege ochtend al een heerlijke verfrissing. We zonnen wat, bestellen nog eens een koffie en een fles water bij de zeer aardige eigenaar en brengen zo onze tijd door tot een uur of drie en kleden ons dan aan voor een bezoekje aan Cefalù. Rond half vier zitten we op een terras met uitzicht over zee, wel in de schaduw en met een ... read more