Tropea to Messina (Sicily)

It was lovely waking up to the sound of the sea – such a perfect spot. Drove about 10 miles round the coast to Tropea, which was spectacular…the best place we’ve been to so far in Italy. Parked under some trees and the notice said €1 per hour -pay at meter. Walked across the road with my 2 euros when an old man got out of a dirty car and said it was €5 to park and we had to pay him!😂 We said we’d go elsewhere and did. Tropea had beautiful beaches, turquoise sea, palm trees and flowers plus a beautiful old town on the rocks high above. We had to take Rufus back to the van as he was really tired. We then started our walk up the 190 steps to the town…well worth it – stunning views at the top. Set off to join the motorway to go a bit further south, but it proved nearly impossible. The trouble started with a u turn on a hairpin bend when it became obvious that we would never get round due to the road being so narrow, a hill so steep we didn’t think we were going to make it – even in first gear, and then, ‘the bridge’. It was obvious we wouldn’t fit under it but the road was too narrow to turn around. Guy had to reverse back about a mile down the road! 😡 We did, however get a spectacular view (if a little faint) of Stromboli, the volcanic island just off the coast Eventually we got on the motorway. Stopped for a bit of shopping at Lidl that wasn’t a Lidl and was rubbish. Then, just as I was searching for somewhere for us to stay, we went under a few tunnels and were suddenly in the ‘Embarko’ lane for Sicily. “Might as well do it” says Guy! The main ticket office was closed and we were told there was another one if you just follow the embarking lane. Such crazy chaos! Everyone was just abandoning their cars all over the road and running to fetch tickets so they could get on the next ferry. We joined in the madness. Once on board the 20 minute crossing everyone seemed to go upstairs on deck. We knew Rufus wouldn’t make it and the stairs were too narrow for Guy to carry him. Then we realised all the lorry drivers had stayed in their trucks so we did the same. Messina looked great from a distance but once we got off we realised it was a bit of a dump. Sprawling city with really chaotic traffic. I’d found a site about two miles out but took us about half an hour to get there. Problem was, it just looked like a bit of a car park in a really dodgy area. Had to carry on, no choice really. Managed to get on a motorway and got to this place (Roccalumera) described as tranquil. It looks like a gypsy camp next to a motorway but the owner is very nice. There’s a dog and a cat, but then the lady came running after a big 🐐 goat. We thought she said it was escaping so Guy tried to get it back but she was actually shooing it away as it had escaped from the mountain.😂We’ve sorted the water and toilet then sat down and had dinner. Now, at a nearby hotel or campsite some chap has started to sing 🎤 – not sure if it’s karaoke but it’s the worst singing I’ve ever heard in my life. Even I couldn’t match that after four rum & cokes….or before for that matter!!!