saturday and a trip to the fiumicino airport planned later today
the ladies from shanghai are returning but time for an outing
something close - something memorable - sant'oreste will do
40 minutes away and perched on top of a hill and the views!
it's a double-banger hill - town on one - a higher peak the other
we drive up as far as we can on the lookout hill, park and peruse
the view down on to the town and then east beyond to rural lazio
quite beautiful really as we pick out now known towns and places
driving back into the town we park as close as we dare and walk
a few minutes later we are strolling around the familiar old town
there's a sign advertising a music festival on over this weekend
italy is definitely in party mode in this month of holiday season
another sign spotted - gelataria - why not - 3 of them - 5 euros
and so we wander as we lick and check out this familiar place
most of the activity seems related to setting up for partying
the small piazzas we enter each have small stages and tents
currently abandoned food stalls are also part of the scenery
a very pleasant wander had around this quite unique town
stopping every few metres to admire the view back to rome
a round circuit has us back at the car - into it - and down we go
next stop - the nearby shopping outlet centre visited once before
then on a weekday it was pretty well abandoned - today maybe not?
ah well - a few more cars parked but upstairs it is like a ghost town
weird really as it is quite modern and full of name-brand shops
the ladies do their thing while the lad parks himself in the bar
a beer (or 2) had until meeting time and then back home we go
packing and stuffing 4 people and 2 sets of gear into a tiny car
it still travels admirably down the autostrade and to fiumicino
we get the shanghai bound mother and daughter despatched
phew - it's been a fun few weeks but hard work for one of us
so tonight - let's party - rome? - na - let's head back to home
after a much needed house clean we walk up into our town
part 2 of the torrita tibberina music festival is on tonight
so over a easy meal at our favourite cafe we take a listen
the local brass band has the stage tonight with a small crowd
a few off notes but they are trying on some complicated pieces
most are recognised with an emphasis on covers of 60's pop hits
one in particular catches my ear - rain and tears - a nz hit back then
the hi-revving tongues - huh - how come this tune is known here
happy to hear it again as we sit outside enjoying the atmosphere
we are amongst friends in this beautiful night in this fine town
back home and youtube reveals the answer to the tune mystery
demis rousssos also made it a hit - well who would have thunk?
and that closes off another day and another chapter of this trip
5 days and counting - let's pack it in until departure day...
