Matera

Quiet night and big bonus – we could hear the sea! 👍😃The camper site turned out to be extortionate €23 in total. The man was really friendly and helpful but even so…! Today we were heading for Matera, back north again and slightly inland, so that we can then come down Italy’s instep. The roads were truly abysmal, even the main roads, even the motorways! Rutted and potholed – it’s a wonder the motorhome hasn’t fallen apart. It does seem to have acquired more squeaks recently. Signor Bramley nearly blew the sides off himself with the steam coming out of his ears and the air was blue! 🤬😡🤯 After stocking up on food at Lidl, we tried to park on the coast for lunch before turning north. No space whatsoever, big hotels, private beaches – we ended up at the side of the road again. We got to Matera mid afternoon and the bloke on the campsite had told us it was possible to park opposite the city, and after a few detours, we’ve got the perfect spot with an amazing view. The town is on the edge of a ravine and sits on top of a network of terraced caves called Sassi. In the 1950’s, my book says twenty thousand poor people were moved from the caves and rehoused in the town. Now its a UNESCO site, so we’ll have a look at it close up tomorrow. Meanwhile, we’re sleeping for free tonight! 👍👍👍