we're off on another side trip today - the amalfi coast
following a glorious day spent there several weeks back
this time we've booked ourselves in for 3 days in cetara
we've also booked a couple of shows at the ravello festival
a later than planned getaway sees us on the autostrade 10-ish
then plain sailing for nearly 3 hours to our first stop at sorrento
deja vu strikes as we park, walk, and look at familiar places
there's definitely more people about as we wander the streets
mainly cobblestone lanes jammed full with all sorts of shops
but it's lunchtime so we walk down to the town's foreshore
spot a restaurant at the end of a pier and take up residence
we seafood and eat it - the lightly fried anchovies are tops
but the coast is calling and we reverse steps and drive on
within 30 minutes we are on the now familiar coast road
first stop - positano - nestled in the cliffs with a small beach
the path to the beach down through a retail-infested walkway
pretty though with classy shops, art and overhead grape vines
a cafe freddo is enjoyed overlooking the now crowded beach
it does seem that the summer holidays have kicked in here
this becomes more evident once back on the (narrow) road
the views are unbelievable but not all of us can enjoy them
there is full concentration needed to keep our small car safe
a steady stream of oncoming traffic constantly challenges us
scooters and the occasional car overtake with a hint of chance
right hand gear changes are needed often on this twisting road
all quite good fun really and so glad to be in a quite small car
but - we do not escape unscathed - a parked car has a door opened
our right side mirror meeting with said door and luckily snapped in
but the force pops and shatters the mirror - we stop - we discuss
we decide to check the other party's vehicle - but - it has gone
they have left the scene - convincing us they were to blame
driving though now becomes one more level of challenging
so it is a relief to reach our destination - cetera - an hour later
cetera is a small town on the eastern end of the amalfi coast
once a fishing village now also compromised by tourism
driving up the road to our booked apartment is revealing
it feels so - real - way more locals than tourists - this is good
our host meets us and leads us up to our top floor residence
large, sparkling clean and recently renovated with 2 bedrooms
an outdoor area backdropped with the mountains of the coast
we unpack, set up and take a walk back down to the village
pick a restaurant from plenty of options and have a fine meal
outdoors in the warm night - serenaded by two fine musicians
swim-time - we then plunge into the cool mediterranean sea
we float in the water and look back at this most serene view
the town of pastel-coloured buildings bathed in moonlight
flanked by steep, high hills - and a starlit night - bewdiful
