28 May to 27 Jun, 2021 - Bomba (and surrounds), Parco Nazionale D'Abrruzzo, Ercolano, Pompeii, Castellammare, Amalfi Coast, Bomba - (Italy)
Also, it is action time for us, because easing restrictions mean we are starting to go a bit further away from home. Building works have constrained us a bit, but multi day excursions are now happening. We've been camping, and we've been staying in some nice accommodations.
Lots of pics to punctuate the stories, so I'll let the time sequential order direct the flow of this blog.
Going back a month or so has us wandering the streets of Bomba for exercise. Most nooks and crannies have been explored at least once, but there are still surprises in the changing seasons. In the mountain vista, there are some deep pockets of snow still on the mountain top, but we feel they are surely almost at an end. The dry winter is having a bite already. Summer has not really got here, and there is a lot of brown in the view. Last week, on three successive days, planes skimmed the lake surface to pick up water for firefighting activities somewhere in the region. Balconies are bursting with vibrant colours with flowers of many shapes hanging over railings, particularly at Via Forno 14. Stumpy pruned trees along the main road have proven they are not dead as they explode with new limbs. The brittle grape vines of 2 months ago are not just supple and green, but the bunches of fruit are starting to look juicy and tempting. The grocer is starting to receive crates of stone fruits. Suddenly, it is summer. We had about 5 days of spring tacked on the end of winter, and by the start of July had already experienced a few days in the high 30's; two were nudging on 40. We've used our airconditioning, and can't believe we were ever cold.
There were walks in the mountain, visits to neighbouring towns and villages, new friends made, and other relationships strengthened with follow up visits. Restaurant meals, picnics, walks on the beach. So, all in all, a far cry from stuck at home.
Not to mention many drinks in the piazza as Italy progresses through the Eurocup matches. Did we watch the football? Not a lot. We just enjoyed the excitement of the Bombese people every time Italy slotted a goal, edging bit by bit towards the grand prize.
Maybe Jack left his Magic Beans in the Cellar
In a sidestreet, Bomba, this grape vine seems to be growing from a very odd spot.
Healthy Vine in a Tight Spot
Apparently, grape vines don't need a lot of soil to thrive. A healthy vine across the street, growing from what appears to be not much more than a crack between the road and the wall.
A Roadside Chapel to the Fallen
The Julia Brigade represent Italy's mountain trained military - their alpine defence. This chapel appears to be in memory of WWII fallen. "Ai Caduti della Julia".
Decorating Bomba
A small group from the community came through the centro storico, so Jo joined in with their decorating efforts. Choosing ribbons and curling them, passing scissors and ribbon as required, and tying pots to fixtures.
Watching the European Cup in the Piazza
Chair - "4 Ass", of Course
As alluded to, though, we started wandering further and futher, as allowed, venturing in to other regions, and generally spreading our wings cautiously.
First Night Away from Bomba
Camping near Parco Nazionale D'Abruzzo. Weather improving, restrictions easing, time to explore further afield.
Bought a Mini Barbecue
Corn and skewers over coals. Not roughing it too much.
Grotta Delle Fate - Fairies Cave
We knew not what to expect. There was a sign at a fork pointing to the Grotta Delle Fate, and the distance seemed to fit in with how much time we wanted to spend on the trail. Having an endpoint to aim for adds a small extra incentive to completing a set amount of activity, so we thought a cave sounded like a perfect target to get to. The last sign we saw pointed off the main trail, down an embankment to a river, where we stood on the bank for a few minutes enjoying the serenity but questioning the existence of any cave in the area. A little evidence of scrambling along the river bank encouraged us to head upstream a hundred metres, and there was the cave – with the river coming out of it. A perfect fresh water spring oasis in the forest.
Oasis in the Woods - The River at Grotta Delle Fate
Jo Explores Grotta Delle Fate
I was less comfortable with the headroom inside. The river source was not far inside, a perfect fresh water spring.
Parco Nazionale D'Abruzzo
Meanwhile, back on the home front, our kitchen evolved a micro step. We got rid of our problematic gas bottle stove, and switched over to natural piped gas. Holes needed for gas pipes. Holes needed for ventilation. Italian builders and their drills. There's no stopping them.
Ilir, our main builder for the soon to be revealed home alterations, has become a 5 day per week feature of our lives. Early in the mornings, we hear him whistle as he comes down the street, followed by a clatter of tools or materials in the street. "Richie, Richie" he calls out, to be sure that we know he is there and about ready to scale the ouside of our property.
Need a Hole in your Wall?
You might be able to tell from the picture - the wall is about 80 cm thick here. No problems, when the plumber has a drill. In about 40 minutes, he bored a 12 cm hole.
We Got a Smug Stove!
At a Brewery, with Our Builder, Ilir, and Family
We were invited to a brewery, by Ilir and his family. One of the brewery partners is an Australian friend of theirs. We had a wonderful afternoon, toured the brewery, and sampled many excellent beers.
Paddle of Beer - First Tastings - Birrificio Maiella
The beers were more varied than they appear. OK - so they were all pale. However, there was one standout, and the other 3 were just "really good".
Indian Lunch with Faye and Stephen
An early trip for Jo's birthday. She got her wish - we found an Indian restaurant. Well, Steven found an Indian restaurant. All kudos to him.
Neighbours
Some neighbours turned up, the first time to their house this year. When they came, they could barely get to their front door, due to the street being overrun by our building works. I guess there were no hard feelings, because when we turned up with some wine and cheesecake to apologise for any inconvenience, we were invited to the party - arrosticini and beers.
In case you missed it, Jo's birthday was celebrated during this blog period. We felt that warranted extra attention and should definitely not be spent at home. A few hours on the motorway, and we were on the west coast for an extended trip. First focus, Herculaneum, Pompeii, and other archeological sites preserved by a Vesuvian erruption in 79AD; frescoes and mosaics; even though we have been before, we were still so moved by the stories that can be extrapolated from that static day.
First time visits included Oplontis, Villa Poppea, Villa Regina at Boscoreale, Villa Arianna, and Villa San Marco. Some were free, the others were cheap. Generally overlooked and bypassed by tourism, they all held somethig - thanks to a tip from a lady at one site, we went to the others and thoroughly enjoyed them all.
Second focus, Amalfi coast, "Walk of the Gods"; fine meals, and wonderful winding vistas.
In the College of the Augustales, Herculaneum
Hercules, Intoxicated
I love how the artist has captured the drunkenness so well. Hercules, apparently, was a notorious piss-pot, and was frequently portrayed in Roman times relieving himself.
In the House of the Gem, Herculaneum
The medallions hanging between the pillars were meant to ward off evil.
Victims of Vesuvius, Herculaneum
Remains of scores of people were found in the boat houses. These buildings, which would have once been on the shoreline, appear to be where people headed and waited in the hope they would get rescued by sea.
Pompeii, Streetscape
A typical street, Pompeii.
Amphitheatre of Pompeii
The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre. Seating over 20,000, nearly the size of the Pompeii population of the time. The amphitheatre was, apparently, not just the site of gladiatorial clashes, but sports and entertainment of various forms. It was infamous in its day after a deadly riot in the crowd between the residents of Pompeii and another town, leading to a ten year ban on events at the venue.
Victims of Vesuvius, Pompeii
A cast of a victim found in Orto dei Fuggiaschi, Garden of the Fugitives.
In the House of the Faun, Pompeii
Dog Mosaic
In the vestibule of the House of Paquius Proculus, Pompeii.
Erotic Frescoes, Suburban Baths
A section of saucy paintings found on the walls of Pompeii's suburban baths.
Collonaded Peristyle Around the Garden and Pool, Villa San Marco
Wall Details, Villa Arianna
Birthday Dinner, High above the Amalfi Coast
Seafood platter to celebrate Jo's birthday.
It's not an Italian Feast without Tiramisu
Tower Along the Amalfi Coast
We Found the Epicentre
Sentiero degli Dei
Walk of the Gods, Amalfi Coast. Positano, our goal, coming in to view.
Bridge at Furore, Amalfi Coast
Reggia di Caserta - Built to Surpass Versailles
Apparently, one of the architectural briefs explicitly stated that this palace was to surpass Versailles. Not far from Naples, it was built over decades, and added and modified for many more after that.
In Reggia di Caserta
Main Entrance Stairs, Reggia di Caserta
Reggia di Caserta
Two events to mention in passing, both relating to our drive from the west back to Bomba. Event one was our clutch failing after all the fluid leaked out, but the failure occurred on the on ramp to a service centre. Truly, we thank God that the timing was such that we were able to walk 40 metres to a mechanic who managed to get us going again, at least till we got back to Bomba.
The other event was our run in with the law. It seems that I should not have overtaken the truck, where I did, which I guess I knew, but the eyes popping from the officers heads as they spotted me from the other side of the truck just confirmed it. When they caught up and pulled me over, and explained it, they realised the paperwork might be too hard, and I was sent on my way with a warning. Noted.
