Went to a nice restaurant recommended by the hotel on Carre Para-lel . We all shared tapas and a great paella . Not a tourist area so very authentic. Freebe grappa to finish off. Good day
JS had a nasty fall and needed 7 stitches in his lip but continued bravely for the rest of the week without further mishap
Jacob Paul was born during our stay at 1.45 am on the 16th January 7lbs 15 oz
Arrived home to 6inches of snow at Bristol Airport a little late after our plane got hit by a vehicle of some sort at Salzburg Airport which damaged the wing. All OK but were a bit concerned for a while
11.20 flight from Bristol
Snow appears to be good especially at higher levels and more is forcast with temperatures dipping.
Met up with L&M and others for the traditional Xmas day swim
Thousands of onlookers and a few hundred brave souls “swam” in the freezing cold water
Back to L&M’s after for a glass of champers
Xmas dinner at the Red Lion
Spent time completing some of the jobs that were needed to keep the place shipshape.
Decorated the bathroom, cleaned the sofa covers, new shower curtain and track and had the internet fibre optic connection installed by Orange which now includes more rubbish TV channels and the phone and internet all under one tariff.
Said goodbye to Ron and Ingrid & Chris and Martin who were going on their travels and welcomed back Richard and Joelle from theirs.
Good trip, good sun, good wine, good meals out and in, what more could one ask ?
Above Portifino looking towards Rapallo
Being out of season the village was dead with very little open except a couple of restaurants that were catering for a group of tourists on a tour.
One of the most expensive places to go in Italy, €7.50 for a coke and € 9 .50 for a small beer. Bonkers!!
Also walked from Camogli on the coast half way to San Fruttuoso and back via San Rocco. Quite a climb up to San Rocco but then levelled out a bit. A couple of nasty drops along the way where you had to hold onto a chain “just in case ”
Took about 3 1/2 hours in all
Nets collecting the olives as they fall.
Took the train this morning to Riomaggiore which is at the far end of the Cinque Terre National Park with the intention of walking to Monterosso al Mare, about a 5 hour walk and visiting all 5 villages along the coastal path.
Arrived only to be told that the coastal path was closed the whole way. ugh!!
Thought we may do a circular walk from Riomaggiore but then found out that the was the likelihood of a train strike after 2 pm. We couldn’t take the chance at not being able to get a train back to Rapallo so had a wander around the village and then came back.
The village and harbour of Riomaggiore
The coast that we would have walked along
Back in Rapallo after an uneventful day although we at least got a feel of the Cinque Terre so will go back sometime, maybe before we leave this time and do a circular walk from one of the other villages we did not get to.
Weather mixed so far but have had a few nice days and managed a few walks so far.
Off we went to further explore the city. Spent the next few hours doing the “walking tour” interspaced with with a beer stop and then a light lunch. Took the 4.15 open top bus tour of the city.
Back to the hotel to freshen up. Decided to eat at a fish restaurant we had seen the night before. Food good but spoilt by lousy service.
After a nightcap at our local we all retired to bed after a long but eventful day.
Weather sunny and warm.
Saturday 15th September
We are off tomorrow to visit Bordeaux with the Hampshire gang (8 in all).
This is to celebrate all of our 40th Wedding aniverseries as we all married in the same year and went to each others weddings.
Early start in the morning as our flight is at 8.00 from Bristol Airport
