Lucky for us, the sun rises every day. We take it for granted. Like a multitude of things. We put our faith in the aerodynamics of a jumbo jet’s ability to lift off fully laden from the runway. We put our faith in Tesco having in stock what’s on our shopping list. In Italy and especially Sicily, we put our faith in the engineers and constructors of the myriad of seriously elevated sections of highway. Balanced on long legs of concrete, that span across valleys, hundreds of feet high – from one mountain to another.
This morning’s sunrise, at Camping Lido Valderice, Cortigliolo, is scheduled for 5.45am. At precisely 5.33am, the thick bush next to Beastie springs into action. Or rather, what sounds like hundreds of tuneless birds. The chirpy chirpy cheep cheep type. They have lots to say. But only one way to say it. They are a buzz of excitement. Like a mass of punters surrounding a bookie, before a big race. All shouting out their bet, demanding the best odds. . . . “Hey, put me £20, at 4 to 1, 5.43, on the nose”; another – “Make mine a monkey for 5.47 at 7 to 4”. . . The nearer to 5.45am the more agitated the chatter gets. All want to ensure their bet gets placed. At precisely 5.44, the chatter stops. Not one sound. The morning’s sunrise honoured and greeted in complete silence . . . as do I . . . zzz
Yesterday’s trip over to camp, highlighted a couple familiar sights . . . since our first Italian trip in 2017 (doesn’t seem five years ago!), we’ve been surprised at the general improvement in the surface of the roads. Also the ridding of many of the roadside rubbish ‘tips’. However, this latter, has been sadly prevalent in Sicily . . . .
Of course, Italy, and nowadays Sicily is Italy, are famous for their driving habits and the acceptance that anything goes . . . this is just one of many examples . . . and one of the endearing things we love about Italy.
Known as the City of a Hundred Churches, Erice is our today’s go-to. It’s an uphill wiggly Scoot of 11K. Many cyclists are out for a morning challenge. A long slog with gradients ranging between 5% & 10%. I almost envied them . . .
Erice epitomises high level living and sits at just over 750metres. About the same height as San Marino. For the Scoot-less, bike-less and car-less, a one kilometre cable car ride drops you just outside the city gate. Although it has never housed one hundred churches, that’s all there is to see once on top. A ticket gets us entry into the best four. It seems the architects over the years were very competitive. Each wanting to outdo the other. These two favourites illustrate.
