Perhaps inspired by not being here much longer, we have a busy day planned for today and set off first thing to Pompeii. This is much better than I expected - for some reason I had got the impression that it is all rather tatty, but actually I thought it was very well presented. It is not too busy first thing and I can get some nice pictures without crowds everywhere. I didn't have time to read Mary Beard's book on Pompeii but our guide book is pretty good
The Basillica 
The Forum with Vesuvius in the background
Plaster cast of a dog 
A typical restored street - I though these were very impressive. Vesuvius again in the background
Frescos at the Villa Mysteries
Erotic art at the Pompeii Brothel - minors look away now. This seemed a very popular stop with the tour groups
Storm clouds briefly gather
Where the current restoration action is taking place
A particularly fine fresco I thought
We have lunch at the restaurant attached to our car park - paying so much for our meal entitles us to free parking.
Then on to Vesuvius. I am seriously out of shape at the moment but am able to manage the ascent ok. In the far back of my mind remains the idea of going to Nepal next year. On today's showing, severe training would be required for this plan to be remotely feasible. Impressive views on the way up, an impressive crater (with just the tiniest plumes of smoke). And unable to identify Pompeii from the top. But a good afternoon
Then on to Vesuvius. I am seriously out of shape at the moment but am able to manage the ascent ok. In the far back of my mind remains the idea of going to Nepal next year. On today's showing, severe training would be required for this plan to be remotely feasible. Impressive views on the way up, an impressive crater (with just the tiniest plumes of smoke). And unable to identify Pompeii from the top. But a good afternoon
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We get severely lost (again) on the way back to the hotel. We turned off too early and ending up in Naples docks. Then moving back towards the motorway we couldn't find the way back on, though we could see it high above us as we drove. Of course, this means we have seen the "back streets of Naples" as per the Peter Sarstedt song Where do you go to my lovely? Linda is not impressed with this though, being more concerned about some of the odd driving we encounter in this period.
We spend the evening at hotel with another last snack food on balcony, then watch Spy Games, which we have seen a few times but always enjoy
Wednesday
An early start this morning and we are glad to be away. Our hotel definitely did not live up to our expectations, but we did do what we wanted to in this area. We are very excited about the return to Passignano though. On the way I purchase six bottles of Barolo from a motorway service station for just E6 per bottle - hopefully a bargain
On the way to Passignano we visited Orvieto which is really and which we should have sent longer in. We finally have a pizza meal - one of the best we've ever had. Then a brief walk round. Clearly the cathedral is amazing. Our timing is poor though and many places are closing for siesta (even in a tourist town). So we leave after lunch, with just a few bottles of wine purchases in the town.
Wednesday
An early start this morning and we are glad to be away. Our hotel definitely did not live up to our expectations, but we did do what we wanted to in this area. We are very excited about the return to Passignano though. On the way I purchase six bottles of Barolo from a motorway service station for just E6 per bottle - hopefully a bargain
On the way to Passignano we visited Orvieto which is really and which we should have sent longer in. We finally have a pizza meal - one of the best we've ever had. Then a brief walk round. Clearly the cathedral is amazing. Our timing is poor though and many places are closing for siesta (even in a tourist town). So we leave after lunch, with just a few bottles of wine purchases in the town.
I'd like to say that this is an example of the fine photography I take while on holiday but instead I have to admit that it is a picture in an art gallery window
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Restaurant where we had our pizza lunch
Quite an amazing Cathedral, it must be said
As fine a cathedral as one could wish for it seems to me.
We arrive at 3:30 at Passignano on Trasimeno and go for a walk along lake shore - in part to check out other restaurants to try. Later we have drinks on lake shore as the sun starts to go down. I am now reading Alison Baverstock's Marketing your book My book project will start in September and I am thinking about starting a new blog to cover just this project.
We settle on one of the back street restaurants for our meal tonight and it is our the best yet. I have spaghetti with clams and asparagus, followed by monkfish with grilled vegetables. Stupendously good.
Back at the hotel, tonight's movie is Pirates 2 - a XXX parody of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. I am struck by a number of things. Firstly, the sex is surprisingly rough. Even between the girls it is surprisingly rough. Secondly, they all seem to be enjoying themselves. Finally, one or two of the girls are just stunning. I am especially struck by the girl who played the lead villain and a brunette who was in just one scene at the end and looked great wearing just a pair of pirate boots!
We settle on one of the back street restaurants for our meal tonight and it is our the best yet. I have spaghetti with clams and asparagus, followed by monkfish with grilled vegetables. Stupendously good.
Back at the hotel, tonight's movie is Pirates 2 - a XXX parody of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. I am struck by a number of things. Firstly, the sex is surprisingly rough. Even between the girls it is surprisingly rough. Secondly, they all seem to be enjoying themselves. Finally, one or two of the girls are just stunning. I am especially struck by the girl who played the lead villain and a brunette who was in just one scene at the end and looked great wearing just a pair of pirate boots!
The girls of Pirates 2 - I particularly like the two girls on the far left and far right - not very keen on the female lead, the blonde third from the left.
I was very taken by the villain of the film - apparent played by someone called Katsuni. Very exotic looking
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