Slower day and a castle

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Took it a bit easier today. Drove to the Adriatic (Anna is such a terrible passenger!), I got 200 meters before I decided I was a better passenger than driver on the wrong side of the road ? , then a beautiful journey along the coastal cliffs north from Pesaro to the end of the coastal national park at Gabicce mare. However the coastal scenes here are not a match for the great ocean road - the water is flat and still with NO waves - peaceful however, yes.

We then drove to the beautiful medieval castle at Gradara, where we paid 5 euros each to view inside the castle and walk along one side of the battlements: extraordinary. As usual it was difficult to take photos that did justice to the splendour we were viewing. After this we journeyed home in a convuluted way, via a few small towns and hill top detours, back to our villa which were are starting to think of as 'home'.- 3 more nights here to go before we head back towards the western coast of la spezia and cinque terra before our rendezvous with Simon, Sophie and the girls at Cabris in France.

Before we leave we plan to visit the lovely, kind old man who rescued Liz and Anna at 11 pm in the rain, stranded near San Donato just out of Urbino - a bottle of wine to deliver!

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Photos

Typical
Steps and vines against stone walls - how lovely would they look in spring and autumn

Amazing views
But still would feel trapped living in the castle!

What is this?
Intriguing - would need to be a big bird

Fortified pizza oven
Another 'find' inside the castle - sadly our first view was the torture chamber

Typical fireplace
Image keeping all these going

Wall sculpture
Many varied wall features were found throughout the castle

Parapet
These unusually shaped features occurred all round the castle battlements

Gotcha
At last a moment to photograph Michael - so elusive (lunch here) - lashed out and bought some tagliatelle fruity de mare and ravioli de raddoncio

Another ruin
So many temptations

Typical view
The colour of Italy - most of these rendered buildings cover beautiful stone walls (except for the brand new concrete high rise type versions)

Cakes!
The best in Italy - discovered on our trip yesterday

Italian
Not on the trip but couldn't resist putting in this picture of Fleur with her gelato

Comments

[judy walkley]

what is this?
Maybe medieval punishment??