MT. ETNA. Sicily. 19th August 2011

A granita and briosch begins the day before spending some time with cousins Giovanna and Saro by the pool at The Palace Hotel in St Tecla.

I enjoyed my simple lunch with Giovanna, Saro and their family, today its trying out something different. Spaghetti alla Norma with a tomato base, fried eggplant and finished with grated salted ricotta cheese.

After lunch I cut Paola's hair. No charge of course.

Nello, Vera, Federica and their friends Brunella and Antonio pick me up and took me hiking up to the sumit of "Valley Del Bove". Where one can see where recent lava streams have flowed. This is one of the most facinating places in the Etna area. It was a steep climb to the top and the black sandy grit made it difficult to climb and even more difficult to descend. A sleigh would had made the journey down hill easier.

I was returned home showered and then joined my cousins, Vera, Federica, Paola, Camillo, Francesco, boyfriends and friends at Christina's 25th Birthday Celebration.

Here we had a B.B.Q feast of Horse meat, meatballs, Sausages, pork fillets and gelati. Not to forget the delicious birthday cake.

A little dancing was a great way to excercise those extra calories off the waist.

Today a great adventure was had.