Martinsicuro - 27 October 2022

Not sure what happened, but we both slept in until about 8am today! Had a slow start! The van alarm went off when Tintin lit the gas to make a cup of tea (needs investigation, as it’s happened before!) - disrupted his routine - so forgot to put the heating on in order to have hot water for our showers!

Tintin drove today for about 1-1/2 hours. Virtually all on the Autostrada (€8.60) towards Ancona - rubbish paid road, don’t think there were many sections that didn’t have roadworks of some description - and so bumpy - even when it looked alright.  I’m really not aware of other countries who make it so bumpy on the ‘expansion gaps’ on bridges. Answers on a post card please!

As it’s out of season, we’ve parked up right next to the beach again - police have been past - and we’re ok!

A bit of a nothing day, neither of us feeling full of energy or enthusiasm today. Walked for about 8,000 steps, half of it with our feet in the sea on the way back. Where we are is just miles and miles in both directions of sandy beaches. In the summer season the place must be packed, there are some people around today, but not many. Most of the bars, restaurants, shops have closed down for the season - no gelato again today 🙁

We went for a swim - more of a wade for ages at first - very shallow. Felt cooler getting in, but a bit of a joke really - it’s still warmer now than it ever gets in Guernsey. Today it’s 21.2° - gets up to 25.4° in August, lowest in March at about 12°. Plus, Tintin is still swimming here minus his wetsuit - something which doesn’t happen in Guernsey!

Used the outside shower on Dave to get rid of the sand - water was still hot from this morning! Regardless, Dave still manages to end up a sandy mess!

Went cycling, mainly because we were looking for a supermarket. I wanted sweets for the journey home! Sarah - please pretend you didn’t read that comment! Went a few miles the way we walked earlier. Google maps was taking us on a ride! Said there was a Conad supermarket, we searched the street, up and down - Google seemed to be centering in on the signpost for a Conad! Cycled in totally opposite direction, and found one. About a 9 mile round trip in the end.

I cooked too much fresh pasta in a tomato and basil sauce last night - so we had the rest of it cold today - with some added basil olive oil! Not brilliant - but don’t like waste! By the time we were shopping our tummies were rumbling. I stupidly bought some rosemary focaccia from the delicatessen. It’s rubbish! Rock hard like a cracker. I hark back to the Cinque Terre when we bought some fresh and warm from the oven - greasy, tasty and sumptuous - want to replicate my memory!

We’re in that conundrum again. Want to stay in Italy as it’s still warm during the day, about 22° today - but both feel we’re done with actual ‘sightseeing’ now - also we don’t want to rush here along the East coast as we haven’t been here before - but also not leave it until too late and have to drive long hours to get through France quickly! In addition, the weather is due to change next week, much colder and some rain - which would mean some of the mountain passes might not be a good option for Dave - he wouldn’t like ice! But - I’m also aware that some of our previous holidays have only been for 10 days - that’s what we have left - and all we’re thinking about is going home!

Crossing a bridge cycling back, someone was feeding the ducks - but there were lots of coypu fighting for the bread - they are indeed large river rats!

Nights are drawing in here too - just after 6pm and the street lighting is on. Still amazing to be near the end of October and be warm enough out and about in shorts and t-shirts - but not much longer me thinks! Locals obviously think it’s cold already, long trousers, coats etc…