Happy Birthday to Simon!
I was woken by a gentle rumbling noise at about 06:30. It got louder and I decided that it definitely was not Jane's stomach rumbling. Could it be Mount Etna about to blow? No, it was a thunderstorm – not surprising given that the outside temperature when we went to bed was as high as any time during the day and it was very humid. The storm didn't pass directly overhead but we were treated to an hour of spectacular lightening and accompanying thunder (in a motorhome you feel the thunder as well as hearing it) together with plenty of rain.
We caught the bus up to the town of Acireale high above the campsite and enjoyed the interesting town. There are some lovely churches and architecture and the fish and vegetable markets were interesting. One fascinating feature of the Duomo in Acireale was the Meridian line surrounded by the signs of the Zodiac built into the floor of the apse. This seems to have been a fashion in Sicilly as there are other churches with the same feature. This one also shows standard measures including the French metre, the English foot and the Sicilian and Neapolitan hands – it appears that the Neapolitans have larger hands than the Sicilians! The rain held off until we started on the walk back down to Santa Maria La Scala and up to the campsite. Fortunately it was quite short lived.
We very reasonable Internet access (€3 per day) at the campsite, we spent the afternoon catching up with emails and the blog.
Photos: Jane was struck by this cupid in the municipal building in Acireale; Standard measures in Acireale's Duomo; The beautiful ceiling of the Duomo showing a celestial choir complete with orchestra and conductor; Anyone for half a pig?
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