Europe/UK 2023

 Arrived at Stansted from Sicily around midnight (Monday) and walked to hotel near airport. Quick checkin, shower and off the bed. Great comfortable room and very quiet, unlike our stay in Palermo!! After a great breakfast and super service from Jeanie, we walked back to the airport for the Stansted Express to Liverpool St, then Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and a 15 minute walk back to Granville Square. After unpacking, we made our way to Chapel Street Market and came across a very cool cafe we hadn’t seen before. Good coffee and an interesting chat with the 2 owners, one of them was from Ankara in Turkey. A big shout-out for The Roastery Club (ex laundrette) where they roast their own beans on the premises. They buy the beans in 70kg bags and place them in plastic containers before roasting.  Calthorpe Arms near apartment for pre dinner drink. Gorgeous wee English pub with friendly staff and met Daniel, an Arsenal supporter. 

 Via Chiavetteri (our apartment) in the morning - deathly quiet. And at night … or should I say into the early hours of the morning … up to 5am!! Had our first night’s good sleep in Palermo as we moved into Olivia’s room which was off the street.  Checked-out of apartment and headed for coffee and pastries at our favourite cafe (only the two of us this time) Then back to Cefalu for a few hours to cool off in 28 degrees. Sun was shining today unlike when we were there on Saturday.  No fear of being hit by a scooter or car in here!                      A good drying day in Cefalu! 🤣 Gotta love how they do business in Sicily - the street is as good as any retail shop! Then it was time to check-out a swimming spot. This looks pretty good … and the water temperature was great! Time for a pizza and drink on the waterfront before catching the train back to Palermo. A great way to spend our last day in Sicily!  Overall thoughts on Palermo, not including Mondello and Cefalu. Palermo is the bes

 Local coffee shop (one of many) near apartment. This was a one-man operation, and always seemed to be busy! A Sunday morning chat with the boys!               Piazza Marina Antique Sunday Market.              The trees around the piazza are amazing!                          Palermo Cathedral (1185). Then on to Mercato di Ballaro and an assault on the senses! A large North African influence! But first we came across this Nona and her gorgeous French Bulldog, much to Olivia’s delight!  After some lunch near the market, it was back to the apartment and down to Palermo Centrale for the troops and their flight back to Trieste. Said our goodbyes to the boys. Will see Olivia back in London on Tuesday.               Goodbye to No13 Via Chiavettieri. A great 5 days with the family, good company, food and refreshments, plus plenty to do and see in Sicily!!

 Saturday  Train to Cefalu (55min). Lovely old town, smaller version of Palermo, pretty  with narrow laneways and side streets.                            Cefalu Cathedral (1131). Sun had poked through after lunch so we headed to the beach, but no swim today after our big day at Mondell the day before.      Rooftop bar for pre dinner drink back in Palermo.    Last dinner before Sam, Urh and Olivia head home on Sunday. Lovely meal with a nice Sicilian wine! Found a pub showing the rugby final … met up with Derek, a mad Irishman who joined us for the game. Plenty of support in the bay from the locals but couldn’t quite get the result. ☹️ Headed back to apartment 12pm, Palermo was just warming up, people everywhere!!  Another noisy night for us outside our apartment. 💥