Rocella Joanis 30 June

We have come to such a pleasant town, Rocella and have decided to spend an extra night.

We are all in agreement that Greek salads or much better than Italian salads. So off to the local supermarket to buy vegetable. Pete in his element peeling every type of vegetable he could find.

We are so starved for salad that Pete made a bucket full. Needless to say we ate it all.

And what a surprise! Hans, who we met in Vienna and then travelled together with through Slovakia, is berthed next to us. Thea, his wife is at home in Holland. What fun to catch up with him again. The Markand leaving the marina. Hope to see Hans and Thea again, maybe in Amsterdam.

The beach at Rosella stretches for more than a kilometre. Beach beds and umbrellas in nice colours. The Italian style of beach bed features a built in sun shade for the head. Not seen in other countries so far. 

The castle in Rosella lies high on a hill overlooking the city. 

Halfway up to the castle we have this magnificent view of the bay. 

Back down at the cafés by the railway crossing we stop for a refreshment. Lemoncrush. Anthony from Sidney joins us for a friendly chat. His parents emigrated to Australia 63 years ago and he is spending a few weeks in the place where he was born. 

Leslie met Salvatore and his 105 years old father yesterday. Apparently Salvatore's father is one of the big attractions in Rosella and every year his birthday is celebrated in amazement. 

Santa Maria Leuce to Crotone to Rocella Joanis 28-29 June

Carl and Pete arrived in Crotone 30 minutes before schedule!

Guiseppe  our contact at the marina in Crotone.

Crotone is the birthplace of Pythagores. The people were known to be famous for their physical strength. The wrestler Milos of Croton is apparently a famous son of this town.

Carl and Pete having a swim on the beach in Crotone.

Leaving Crotone at 6 am on route to Rocella.

According to our guide this pillar is the only historical reminder left in Crotone.

Seems like Croton was first inhabited by tribes from the Peleponese in 710 BC. Thereafter a succession of invaders and rulers, the Byzantines, Venetians, Saracens, king Otto 11, Normans, Spanish. The fortress of Carlos V is still dominates the town.

Breakfast on Lellebelle somewhere between Crotone and Rocella.

Taranto to Crotone 28 June, by train Leslie

Left Taranto by train at 8.20. So far the trains have been punctual.

A quite uneventful journey. I had the John Grisham book, the Painted house with me. Shared a compartment with two Indian nuns from Kerala. They were travelling from Rome to Calabria where they were going to work with old people. I asked if they had met the pope and they said yes, not really met, but he was at the conference and they showed me the photos they took.

Their names are sister Reni Toms and sister Melna. Sister  Reni was very happy to read my John Grisham after I finished .

And they were very happy to pose for this photo 

Arrived at Crotone station. Quite surprised how horrible it was. Since Taranto I have passed many stations, most of them in the centre of the towns, and quite ok. Croton staton was in a real rundown area so I had to take taxi to Porti Vechio ( old port). Not sure what the taxi driver though but he took me to two real "port" ports before dropping me at 

Portico Turistico. But even that is not the right one and now I am waiting for Lellebelle at a better Marina, Lega Navale.

Photo from the cafe

Santa Maria Leuce - Gallipoli - Matera - Taranto 25-27 June by car

The wind has come up and it seems like we will be "grounded" until Sunday. Decided that we should visit Gallipoli, Taranto and Matera.  Set off about midday.

First stop Gallipoli. We were mightily impressed with this beautifully preserved old town on an island. So much so that we stayed for lunch, too much food, but had our first pizza. Although the chef looked like he was in gangman style.

After that lunch Carl and Pete needed a swim and so show off their bods to the Italian girls.

We took a very roundabout way to Matera. Eventually noticed that the arrows on the road signs were not pointing in the way we were used to. Or maybe it was just our navigation. But had a lovely drive up to Matera which is situated on a hill and next to a gorge. 

Pete showed his cultural side by suggesting that we visit Matera becauce it will be Cultral city of Europe 2019.

Just a peek at what we had in store.

The BnB owner was not there so we had lots of help and involvement from these two ladies, apparently born in Matera.

Waiting for the BnB owner to arrive. He never did! So we went further down the street to a great place, cheap, two separate bedrooms and bathroom, all for 70 euros. Plus breakfast. But, breakfast in Italy is a sweet croissant and coffee.

Following photos from a beautiful Matera, a place we just have to visit again.

Drove back to Taranto. Not quite like Gallipoli, with the old city on an island, but a mixture of extreme dilapidation and spruced up buildings.    Karaoke Taranto style on the way home from the restaurant.

Night cap with remains of Greek temple in bakground

North side of the old town, Taranto

South side of the new town, Taranto was actually very nice!

Corfu to Italy 23 - 24 June, Leslie

Time to leave again, goodbye Greece! Wonderful memories.

Carl and Pete leaving Marina 

Gouvia

While waiting in 8 hours for the ferry sat in the lovely Durrell park reading. The Durrell brothers lived here in the 30's.

Laurence Durell with a shiny nose

Gerald Durrell also with a shiny nose. People stop and rub their noses.

Hello Italy, port of Baria. Took 5 hours and 3 trains to get to Santa Maria Leuce. Lot of contradicting information but also a lot of good natured involvement from the other passengers.

Passing stations on the way...

Another..

And another

And still another 

The last train, just one old rattling carriage.

Santa Maria Leuce at last! The Marina is right next to Mussolini 's fountain.

What a place. Apparently they let the water run a few times a year. Fountain built by Mussolini in 1941. But there is no trace of him anymore.

Matraki to Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy, 24 June

Carl and Pete arrived in Santa Maria Leuce with Lellebelle and Leslie arrived by train.

Lovely place. Beautiful scenery. 

Photos from a fountain apparently built by Mussolini to commorate the aquaduct which was finally complete in 1941,

Carl and Pete are to lazy to write a blog! 

Corfu to Matraki, 23 June

Finally the time has come to leave Corfu, Govia Marina. Leslie is taking the ferry  to Italy to meet up in Santa Maria di Leuca on Wednesday. 

Peter has arrived. Trying out the drinking glasses with great success. 

Leslie looking on in horror. How will this end???

Peter trying his hand on tending to the fenders. 

Fenders up. Whats next to do?

Here we are leaving Corfu for a new harbour, not yet decided. 

Full speed ahead on the first leg towards Italy. 

Corfu as seen from Matraki island. 

Landed pn Matraki island. About 5 NM west of Corfu. Last stop in Greece.