Amalfi Coast 1 - Vico Equense

Day 1

The Amalfi Coast. When TC* suggested Italy, I agreed quickly. Frankly anywhere that promised sun and warmth was going to be a yes. As we leave the UK, it is gratifyingly wet and dreary. The endless little Italian suns on the BBC weather app for the next week seem too good to be true, but we live in hope.

I am trying to teach TC how to use his phone more efficiently and have duly booked train tickets with QR codes. I thought this would simplify matters. Wrong. TC admits to being a technophobe and in high pressure situations, such as having to order food on the phone, steam is often seen coming out of his ears. Having forwarded his train QR code, it now appears he has used his phone to pay contactlessly at the barrier instead of scanning the ticket, and therefore has paid twice. The TFL lady very helpfully advises emailing TFL. Another challenge! However I am hugely impressed that the phone has been used to pay for something, albeit unnecessarily.

We are travelling with the Oak Hall travel company. TC is a veteran and this is his 17th trip with said company. I have only been 5 times previously. After our Grand Tour last year (coach trip to Budapest), it will be a real treat to be in only one hotel for a whole week. We are on a budget Spanish airline, and the word 'sardines', comes to mind, but fortunately it's only a short hop. 

Day 2

We wake to glorious sunshine. The room has a lovely balcony but in this heat, it is mostly only useful for drying clothes.

 

Vico Equense

After breakfast, Clare, our group leader has organised an 'ice breaker'. If you are an introvert, as I am, you will know that this is not a happy prospect, so I find the excuse of being tired after such a long journey most useful. Even TC is not so sure but he braves it and reports back. I made the right choice. 

When we met Clare at the airport she had a walking stick which she didn't appear to be using. Walking stick now has ribbons attached and she walks down the street waving it and shouting at high pitch. 

After a long trip yesterday we lunch in the hotel, served by elderly and grumpy waiters (I almost had to catch my watermelon), and we use the hotel pool which is wonderful. We view Vesuvius across the bay and discuss the safety aspects of our upcoming trip tomorrow. Apparently, the volcano erupted last in 1944 and is ripe for an explosion. 

Mount Vesuvius

 

*Travelling Companion