A pleasant experience can be quickly soured. All it needs is a misplaced action or word. An unexpected downer that can spoil ‘everything’, if you’re not careful.
Today’s route to Camping Valle Dei Templi, takes us right past one of Sicily’s must see tourist attractions at Agrigento. Covering 1,300 hectares and positioned on a high cliff face, it can hardly be missed. In both senses. So we do an about spin. A simple turn is not part of the Italian language, or road system. The large car park alongside the entrance is a converted olive grove. Low growing branches prevent an entry for Beastie. Plus the sign ‘No Campers’. As in vans.
We do what all good Italians do. Park up roadside. A wide enough piece of dirt, a perfect fit. We’re behind three other campervans. Then go walkabout, as you do when it’s 30+C. The site is so massive that they operate a shuttle from one end to the other. At 3 euro each one way, we find our legs a much more competitive option.
Modern day Agrigento up on the hill (of course) in the distance.
Back at Beastie, a piece of tally roll paper, wedged underneath a wiper blade, attempts to slap us in the face. Spoil our day. All campers likewise. Three cars left unpunished. In our absence, local police have been out collecting funds for their retirement pension. A daily ‘got-ya’ spot no doubt. They’re going to have to sing for their supper. Our ticket got mysteriously blown away.