Il Bravio Delle Botti.

I was heading over to see a friend in Sant Albino, taking the back road on my motorino (scooter) when I literally turned a corner and saw two men coming full pelt towards me pushing a huge and obviously heavy barrel.
Thankfully I dodged them or I would have been squashed like a hedgehog! I assume that they were practicing for the 'Bravio delle Botti' which takes place every year in Montepulciano. On the last Sunday in August there are competitions between contrades or districts where two men called 'spingitori' or pushers have to push an 80 kilo barrel on an 1800 meter course up the steep streets of Montepulciano. There are of course other things going on as well such as wine tasting and various processions. Worth a visit if you are in Tuscany at this time of the year.

Can you imagine pushing barrels along these streets?!

Big fat lunch!

When I first moved to Sorrento one of the things that stood out was the 'big fat lunch'. Coming from the UK if I had lunch at all (often skipped in favour of a quick coffee) it was a sandwich from M&S.
I discovered fairly soon that this was in no way acceptable to Southern Italians, who frequently have antipasto, primo and then secondo. Primo is the pasta or risotto course and is never served as a main the way it is in the UK, the secondo being the main course.

In addition, my friends in Sorrento were quick to point out that every pasta has his sauce, and you can't serve any pasta with any sauce. Well, you can but if you have not served the correct pasta and sauce it will be met with scorn by any Italian.
Just to confuse the issue further, some antipasto dishes can also be served as a main course, such as a caprese or parmigiana di melenzane.

Coming soon.......

Ha!
Coming soon, the big fat lunch!
And just in case you missed this amazing video of Sorrento.....
Tada!
Here it is again. Enjoy!


https://vimeo.com/123992541


My favourite video of Sorrento.

Ritorno.

The journey home was not quite as bad as the outward one, trains were more or less on time and as I left Sorrento quite early in the morning I didn't have to deal with any musical accompaniment on the train.

The weather was getting better as I left Campania and worse as I headed to Tuscany! C'est all vie.

Now home again, but just long enough to get laundry done, sort out paperwork and pack once more. My travels will take me around Tuscany and onto Rome where I am hoping to have enough time to get to the Banksy exhibition. Watch this space.....

Sorrento, andata.

I love returning to Sorrento apart from one thing, the circumvesuviana train which runs from Naples to Sorrento. Affectionately renamed 'the lose the will to live express'! The first battle is to get a seat on board and you are very lucky if you do, the next thing is to try and get a carriage without an accordion playing child or the band that plays so loudly that you can't hear yourself think. Once that journey has been survived, everything else is easy!

A day at the Delfino (down at Marina Grande) was just what was required. A lounger in the sun, followed by a lovely lunch and then some more sun, perfect day!

Catching up with old friends and making some new ones too was a wonderful way to spend a few days off from the hectic life of touring.

For anyone thinking of heading to this neck of the woods, my good friend Chris will look after you. She runs a company called Aldo Limos and you can find them on www.aldolimos.com. Check out their video below. If you haven't been it will make you want to go!

https://vimeo.com/123992541

This sums up exactly what Sorrento is for me, and why so many people return year after year.

Ready to go.......

Case packed and I am good to go again. This time my travels are for fun, as I am heading down to Sorrento (where I lived for many years and where I got married in 2014) to visit friends and catch up.
Looking forward to some great food, wonderful company and of course the odd glass of wine! If the weather is good enough I am hoping to get to the Delfino for sun, a swim and a lovely lunch with a bottle of pinkie!
Plan b if it rains will probably be a visit to Naples and a bit of culture. Vediamo.

Casa dolce casa!

I love touring and travelling and exploring Italy with all it has to offer, but it is always lovely to come home. Just being in your own space with all your things around, being able to make a coffee or do laundry when you like and not being ruled by a clock is truly a wonderful thing. A simple lunch on the terrace becomes something that I adore and think about on days when things do not go to plan!

So I am enjoying being here now, but already getting the suitcase ready for the next travels.