Older brother arrived at Torre Del Greco clutching his
wallet ready for some serious sightseeing. I think he enjoys his holidays
despite still working full time trying to make America great again while his
two younger brothers loll around in splendid retirement.
Torre Del Greco sits
beneath Mount Vesuvius between Herculaneum and Pompeii on the train line
between Naples and Salerno. Lots of sights to see and lovely high temperatures
too. I could tell Mrs K was excited.
Naples was our first sight seeing day visiting the archaeological museum with its
more than interesting finds and statues. As a punishment this man's wife was
tied to a bull. The bull learnt its lesson and didn't misbehave again.
I wasn't allowed to show
anything about Pan and a goat.
In order to cool down a bit
we did a tour of underground Naples a tour of the ancient cisterns dug out, god
knows when to store the towns water and quite handy as a bomb shelter a couple
of thousand years later.
Mrs K likes cool.
You can't go to Naples
without mentioning their patron saint, Saint Gennaro who was indeed decapitated
by the now legendary Diocletian. Somehow some of his blood ended up stored in a
phial and three times a year it is brought out to see if it will liquefy
bringing good fortune to the city. Despite the church being a tad cagey about
close inspection it still draws crowds on those occasions. Seems to work on
the, 'It'll be fine' principle.
Next was Herculaneum and Vesuvius.
The buried and the burier.
Hot and steamy just like Vesuvius. Well she was after we had
walked about three miles looking for the bus stop that took you up. There were
plenty of taxi drivers touting for business but not a single helpful sign post.
Probably removed by the taxi drivers.
Still the views from the top were great.
Marching around Herculaneum after our very long and steep
walk topped the day off and we collapsed in to the sailing club bar after
putting our long trousers on for a well earned beer.
And all the lovely nibbles that come with it.
People rave about Capri and if you spend any time in Naples
beforehand the contrast brings this out. We decided to do a boat trip to Capri
leaving poor old Hermy to bob to the tune of the passing fishing boats on her
own. It was surprising at how many yachts ignored the rights of way at sea. Was
I sympathising with the crazy Italian ferry drivers?
The views were stunning and the highlight for me were the
home of Dr Axel Munthe built on a villa first built by Tiberius during his stay
at Capri. The home, called San Michelle, was very tranquil and full of Roman
bits and pieces found or obtained by the good Dr.
Lovely garden. Despite being
ripped off for a coffee in the upper town main square (18 Euros for three
coffees) we ventured in to the San Michelle cafe for lunch which was very tasty
and good value.
Just like Elba Capri has a mountain and a cable car which Mrs K
likes so up we went in a rather dodgy kind of retired ski lift to the top of
Anacapri.
The old brother managed it all and I didn't drop my phone.
Well if you have done Vesuvius and Herculaneum you have to
do Pompeii. So venturing up to the railway station we caught the train to
Pompeii fought off the taxi drivers and walked to the site. We went round it
when we were children and I remember seeing far more stone encased people than
this time.
Still lots to see of the old town in the blazing heat.
Now the plan was to take Hermy along the coast and make for
Salerno then come back and deposit brother back at Torre del Grotty. We
anchored off Sorrento for the night spending most of the time swearing at very
inconsiderate motor boaters who insist on screaming past your anchored boat. I
must get a small cannon for the bows. Still the old boy got to do a bit of
swimming.
We skipped along the Amalfi Coast and anchored off Maiouri
for a late lunch and then in to Salerno. We liked Solerno as it was clean busy
and had a more law abiding feel about it. It had civilised things like
pavements and cycle lanes, yes scooters still tried to kill you on them but you
did feel a little safer. So we decided to park Hermy here and do a bit more
exploring from here.
I don't know what it is but if someone builds something on
the top of a mountain and you can see it from the bottom then you are obliged
to go and see it. It must also be done on foot for some strange reason. This
seems true of Kilbrides but only genetically as Mrs K smiles at the suggestion
reaches for her book and says 'see you later.'
Arechi Castle overlooks Salerno in a 'do as you are told'
sort of way. Two very old and tired Kilbrides fell in to the castle bar after a
long, signless search for the bloody steps. Still older brother was impressed
near the top where I broke out in to a very energetic dance having nearly
trodden on a snake. The blood pressure pills earned their keep that day.
When you have been married for almost 25 years you begin to
have a feel for when your spouse might just be beginning to show the first
glimpses of fatigue at an activity that might just be more up your street than
hers. I noticed this when visiting the ancient Greek ruins at Paestum. We walked
in to the site after a wander around the museum and Mrs K seemed to give off a
signal about how she may be feeling.
" Have you brought me to look around another pile of
old, bloody rubble in the blazing heat again? If you want me I'll be under that
shady tree when you have finished and I will want ice cream."
I sometimes think Mrs K struggles to say what she means.
Lovely old rubble!
Well after Paestum and some wandering around Salerno it was
time to return the older brother to Rome for more beer, pizza and rubble before
he returned to Trump Town and we made for Blighty to honour No 1 sons
achievements. Mrs K likes Blighty where she can interact with normal people.
We will miss Hermy though!
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