Summertime in Sicily
Italy (Sicily) Stage 11 – Di Capo Passero to Noto 44 Km (Fri 1 June 2018)
Weather: 20⁰C min – 29⁰C max, clear and sunny
“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle
Summer has arrived, I can vouch for that! Although the forecast maximum was only 29 degrees, the temperature in the sun got as high as 39 degrees according to the reading on my Garmin. Just right for riding!
It was about 9:30 am when I finally set off, lingering over breakfast chatting to the adjacent table of Italians who spoke a little English.
For the first 12 Km I followed the sparkling blue Mediterranean, before turning inland to enjoy some countryside and country roads that were mine exclusively.
My first delight came just after I left Portopalo di Capo Passero, when I had to stop and allow a mob of goats to cross the road. Then I came to the very pretty seaside town of Marzamemi, with a beautiful harbour and dozens of bar-cafes, restaurants and gelaterias. I can imagine the town would be inundated with tourists in the peak holiday period.
Being so dry I didn’t imagine that the countryside would be as attractive as it was. The lack of rainfall doesn’t seem to bother the olive groves, orange and lemon orchards, and grapevines. Tomatoes and other vegetables are grown under plastic canopies, which probably explains why they taste so good here.
Noto, where I am staying tonight, is another of those fabulous Italian hill towns. Generally listed as one of the “must-see” tourist attractions of this part of Sicily, Noto is a pleasant and attractive little town, with a historic centre that is composed almost entirely of crumbling Baroque palaces, churches and houses. The town’s striking architecture is due to the major earthquake that struck Sicily in 1693. The old town of Noto was almost completely destroyed, and it was decided to to reconstruct a splendid new town several miles away. Thus Noto was rebuilt on its present site, carefully designed for functionality and architectural harmony.
But I measure a town on the number and quality of it’s gelaterias, and on this basis alone I would have to vote Noto as tops!
Great pictures of the goats! And it’s lovely to see a jacaranda tree. 39 degrees – I hope you’re keeping your fluids up! Marzememi is very picturesque indeed. Lovely dog – did you donate to his cause?
I contributed a couple of coins to the hat so I wouldn’t feel guilty about sneaking a photo.
Lucky you escaping the winter here in OZ. well out you go from Sicily you have done well .
Fantastic photos. You have missed your calling!! you should take up photographic work!
Is that first photo a glimpse of what’s to come for residents of Shirley Road?
Hopefully not!