Monday 14 December 2009

Amalfi, Italy - Saturday 12 September

Apologies to Christmas buffs out there!

I realise my header is not very seasonal but I like looking at photos that conjure up happy memories. Anyway you can see Christmas and winter photos everywhere so I'm just going to be the exception! Maybe I'll put some Christmassy stuff up in July! Back to the story.

Well I'd heard about Amalfi from friends who had been there but don't think I've ever seen it. Although I think I might have caught a glimpse in a James Bond film once.

Here's our first view of the coastline.

Amalfi Coast

Now here we are again. Lots of houses up on the hills! Although the view must be fantastic, I still wouldn't like to live up there. Just imagine having to work in those terraced gardens. The drop over the edge of that cliff doesn't bear thinking about. Every time it rained I'd think the house was going to slide down but I suppose they must be quite safe.

Amalfi

Here's the beach at Amalfi which is quite nice. The sand wasn't very fine or golden. Maybe it's a man made beach but the water looked very inviting. Again we hadn't taken bathing costumes!

Beach

It was very busy in the town, well it was Saturday but luckily there were no cruise ships there, other than ours of course.

Amalfi Square

I loved the way the Sant Andrea cathedral was pressed between the buildings as if it was an afterthought and they just didn't have enough room or money to build a detached cathedral.

Sant Andrea Cathedral

Lovely coming out of church and just straight over to sit in one of the cafes for a cuppa. Another church you had to pay to enter so we gave it a miss.

Just look at the steps up there. Not sure how they make that accessible for wheelchairs. Think they'd have to put a lift in. At home they've got rid of some beautiful steps in front of churches and other buildings and put in the most hideous ramps.

Cathedral


Window

I still can't believe they allow traffic up these streets. They are full of people and so narrow.

Street

There were lots of tourist shops but some great fruit and veg ones too.

Luvly jubbly!

Lemon

Obviously they grow lots of lemons in this area, the shops were full of Limoncella which is the famous local liqueor.

Tomatoes

Now I'd love to be able to buy tomatoes like this instead of the EU regulation all the same size and colour ones we get. They tell us that that's what the customers have demanded. Total rubbish!

Peppers

Just look at those gorgeous peppers.

Nectarines

I had to take a picture of this briliant balcony. It was a part of a little clothes shop. It's an unusual way to display clothes.

Balcony boutique

Here's a close up.

Balcony


Here's a derelict little chapel. Yes, it's high on the hill!

Chapel

Next stop is Livorno, Italy!

Post 134

Thursday 10 December 2009

Granny's Got Talent

A 75 year British granny who lives in Southern Spain along with a partner forty years her junior, has won Spain's got Talent with her acrobatic salsa. Streuth!!!!!!!!!!!!


So this is what you're supposed to do when you retire! Just goes to show you're never too old. I think I'll stick to blogging though.

Here's the link to the winning dance which unfortunately I can't find on Youtube, just on the Sun's horrible website. Think they've withheld the copyright.

I'm fiddling around at the moment killing time. We're in the middle of replacing all our windows and doors with double glazed units. My husband is convinced it will save us money on our heating bills. I'm convinced the real reason is getting UPVC units means he doesn't have to paint them.

The cats have been hiding under the bed since first thing when the workmen arrived. Probably won't see them for another couple of hours. I'm desperate for the loo but they're all over the house so nowhere is sacred. Might have to go to my daughter's house when I collect Lauren from school.

Meanwhile I'm lucky that it's a beautiful sunny day and it's not too cold or I'd be perished!

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