The Italian Adriatic Coast

Well, I guess you've all painted lovely mind pictures having read the title of today's message and yes- some of the scenery has been stunning, and I bet you are conjuring up a picture of the campsite we are at tonight- well, I bet that you couldnt get near it. I'm just outside a little town called Polignano a Mare which has great reviews in the Lonely Planet, the old town is jutting out on limestone cliffs with caves and waves crashing.

And where am I camped in the midst of all this natural beauty? Why - a huge concrete car park of course! Its actually an 'area de sosta' which are basically sites for campers and lorries, they provide  basic services, but this one has got showers and free  wifi all for th princely sum of 10 euros. And before anyone starts getting anxious, it has great security, there are 5 other campers here including an Australian couple who had stayed the night before so am quite safe, if not entranced. But it was the only place to stay, no campsites for 10 ks either side of the town and  it really was time to stop.

Been steamy hot today, even the Italians are commenting. But its been a good day, driven down the autoroute from just south of Pescara on the Eastern Coast to Bari-lovely city, spent a bit of time wondering the streets in the old city then went down to the ferry port and booked my ferry to Greece- July 7th with Superfast ferries, chose them because they have an open board option after July 1st - this means that you can sleep in your camper and use all the facilities on board with no extra cost. This also means that Kye can stay in the van, other ferry operators require you to put them into a kennel, for which you have to pay. Anyway, seems like a really sensible option for an overnight crossing. And now I've decided on a date I can work out a bit of an itinerary.

Seems like there is lots to explore round this area of Puglia and then the heel of Italy, but depending on time I might drive round the whole foot but definitely want to visit Herculaneum and Paestum which are both in the Naples area - anyway, wait and see.

Also wanted to say thanks for the nice comments you have been sending either via the blog or emails, glad you are liking my ramblings. I enjoy doing it too. Will have another go at some photos.
Right off for a nice cold shower - Thursday is forecast 40 degrees- will make sure am not in concrete car park!
Bye for now,
Jx