May 14th Portapalo to Avola

Another lovely day and no wind. Shop in Porto which is a lovely chilled place with a nice pedestrian centre. Then off to Avola. Straight road out of town. After about 20km could see a town up on the hill, Nota. It did look nice but up a hill and not in the direction we were heading. Then comes the phrase......do you fancy a coffee up there? After some persuasion we headed up. An absolutely stunning town,some incredible buildings and unbeknownst to us probably the biggest weekend of the calender. There was a festival of flowers which entailed lots of images in a row made of flowers. After this we headed to Avola in search of a campsite, cycled about 20km in circles following signs for one that was closed! Eventually with good old Google at a cafe found the site we had originally wanted, worth it as very laid back with a fridge. Happy days.

May 15th Avola to Siracusa

Short ride to small campsite on a farm. Basic, but just a few km from the historic port of Siracusa. Afternoon spent exploring here and sending a video birthday message to Harry. Relaxed night of scrabble.

May 16th Siracusa to Taormina. 

Early start to get the 8.40 train up the coast. Alighted at Acireale and then a 40km cycle to a site we had been told about by John and Christine in Punta Secca. Etna first view from the train. Nice cycle and lovely site with a quirky owner. As promised! Chilled evening. Phone call to give birthday greetings.

May 17th Taormina

Cycle panier free up the switch backs to Taormina, the film site of the godfather films. Very busy with coachloads of tourists, understandably as a beautiful place. Does make us realise that we have been off the tourist trail, thus far in all the islands. Back down to beach and cheaper coffees! Chill on beach for me with painting done by Dave. 

May 19th Taormina to mainland Italy 

Off early to Messina. Really flat 50km along mainly promenades. Lovely coffee stop (expensive again) at the bottom of Taormina but got a free orange and along the way free tomatoes as I tried to buy just two off the back of a van. Arrived in Messina, not the nicest of places, where we had a room booked. However, luckily for us, my card hadn't been accepted, problem their end I think, to we took the opportunity to jump on the short ferry to Villa San Giovanni where we were very kindly helped in a cafe to use their computer to find a place in the lovely seaside resort of Sicilia. 7km cycle and with more aid from a local chap we found the place. Start of the Italian phase.

May 19th Sicilia to Rosarno

Rain as forecast to start the day which with a 10km climb was really appreciated. The rest of the 50km cycle was on the flat. Found the campsite easily, more expensive than we have been used to, but this one has an shower in the locked toilet. I was soooo excited. Lovely pool too to finish the day nicely. Spent the evening working out route and campsites. Still early in the Italian season we realise, more trains may be required!

May 20th 

Very wet morning. In the end we decided to stay and chill and finish researching the campsite option. Dried up enough to attempt to get some things dry that had unfortunately been left out. Good to do pretty much nothing for just one day.