They say that mad dogs and Englishmen, go out in the mid-day sun. With temperatures like these to trip out to, we must be the mad ones.
This small Paparanza site is a work in progress. A labour of love for Filippo. Huge potential. But with the odd flaw. The biggest, his dogs. They live in a caged pen, less than fifty metres from our pitch. We would have moved on after sleepless night one, but plans overrule. We get serenaded every two to three hours each night. On top of this, they have a metal water bowl that they use to play keepie-uppies.
We rise, but don’t shine. Earlier than usual. Why stay in bed if you can’t sleep. It’s not just the dogs. The heat too. Unbearable springs to mind. But we do bear it. It pays to Scoot out early anyway. Everything closes between 1pm and 4pm.
Today’s forty minute Scoot, lands us almost to the exact centre of Sicily, at the hill top city of Enna. The highest provincial capitol in Italy at 931 metres. We have three targets; the duomo (naturally); Castello di Lombardia ; Rocca di Cerere – all within a stone’s throw of each other.
The 1076AD castle is a ruin, with one large tower still intact. The strategically placed information boards do their WIKI best to keep a visitor interested. We do our best too. Don’t quite loose the will to live by the time the last one comes into view. Then it’s time to climb the tower. Take a selfie before we do.
Then we go take refuge in the duomo. Chill for twenty minutes. A sanctuary of cool air. A short respite. Inside, a mystery solved. I’d always wondered how those high-up stained glass windows always look so clean.
