Il Palio in Siena 2015

On the day before the Palio of the 2nd of July, there is always a PROVA (a sort of semifinal before the big day).  There has been much preparation before this day, weeks before leading up to this most important day in Siena. In preparation, men of a contrada meet for a long lunch at  a restaurant on the spot where a few hours later there will be 10 horses racing around the track of the Campo.  The sand has been laid on the rough stones, and a few times a day is watered down by a group of workers.

The flags of the 17 contrade are blowing gently in the wind: the temperature is mid 30s.

Early on in the day it's possible to take a seat in the "reserved" sections, and just sit and watch or be watched. Later, we're asked politely to move elsewhere, where the seats may cost anything between Euro 200 and 350, depending on the spot.

This young couple may have to reconsider their allegiances The contrade are all very strong, and important events such as baptisms and weddings, are held in their own contrada..

My flag: contrada OCA, which is worn loosely around neck and shoulders.

Quattro Passi Restaurant

Another visit this year, this time with owner and chef Antonio Mellino just home from his relatively new restaurant in London. As always, we received excellent service and amazing food, presented in creative fashion.  Our degustazione menu was more than most of us could eat, but luckily one member of our group would happily taste "leftovers".  I know of no other restaurant with such attention to detail with their dessert offerings..... delicate, scrumptious and moreish! Situated in a tiny seaside town of Nerano, Massa Lubrense.

The best cemetery in Italy ?

Along the Amalfi Coast near Massa Lubrense, not far from Sorrento, is a beautiful small  cemetery with brilliant views of the blue Bay of Napoli.

Gagini Restaurant Palermo Sicily

A new restaurant for us in Palermo.... tons of atmosphere, fabulous food and good service.

ETNA

Etna is Europe's most active volcano: her last major eruption was November 2013, but she's almost continually doing something! Yesterday she had decided to Fire Up.  Literally.  So the smoke could be seen many kilometres from Catania.  On the previous day when we went up the mountain to walk down into extinct Crateri Silvestri the wind was blowing but the sun shining.

Walking around the top of the extinct crater



The beautiful colours covering much of the lava



The house almost covered by lava flow many years ago

Water Features

How about these two for a change of smiling or ferocious lions as a water feature? (Found in the Cathedral of Cagliari)

NORA, Sardinia Sardegna, Roman Theatre

Nora, the earliest  town in Sardegna, was a prosperous town for 1500 years.  Originally founded by the Fenice, 9 and 7centuries BC.... then the Punics, later the Romans.  It was a major trading post around the Mediterrean . You'll find Nora in Pula, south west of the island and around 30km from the capital city of Sardegna, Cagliari.   Here's the Teatro Romano, which held 1200 spectators.