Saturday, September 20, 2008

Conca dei Marini to Vettica Maggiore



We are midway on our walk across the Amalfi Coast, the map shows the small fishing villages along the coast that we walked today - 8 kilometers. Guide book describes it as a 'fine walk that involves two climbs - take them gently', I tried.

Made one mistake and sent us both clammering up a rope climb to a cave before realising that it could not possibly be the path!

Once again such a priviledge to be here walking, clear skies after yesterday's rain, some wind to keep us cool.

Glorious views, as we walked the paths....

The guide book also recommended having lunch at Serafino Agritourismo about an hour from the end of the walk, so can quaff wine with the meal. It was one of those icon meals in a space that we will not forget, Dom is third generation on the farm which has a vast area of terraces along the slope of the mountain above Praiano.

All the ingredients for our vast feast came from their own farm!

Antipasta: lattaria cheese, courgettes in olive oil, thinly sliced and fried aubergines, tomatoes on bruschetta, prosciutto, salami and pancetta....this was the starter!

Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli in homemade tomato sauce

Oven baked goats cheese with smoked ham in lemon leaves served with ripe tomato salad in loads of olive oil.

Fruit from the garden - pears and white grapes picked from the vine where we were eating.

Dolce was biscotti, pineapple/yoghurt cake with ice cold lemoncella.

Makes for two very happy and sated walkers!



We are booked into Hotel Tramonto D'Oro, music blaring from a wedding next door and the church bells are ringing determinedly with CNN in the background - crikey is this peaceful Italy? ...

We did get to swim in the Med at last after yet again navigating 400 steps both ways, my thighs feel like tight drums.