This morning dawns cool and grey with odd showers. Ali reaches through the cab curtains and sets off the alarm. The shrill beeping in the quiet Trapanese countryside frightens the donkey who brays loudly for the next three minutes.

We are due a standstill day, and with iffy weather, full services at €10 and a view that is so beautiful we decide here is as good as anywhere. The free wifi is reasonable, allowing us to upload some photos and research some future destinations. There is also the chance to do some washing and generally take it easy, to recover from the bouncing about of daily travelling.

There is the added attraction that restaurant opens tonight so at 19:00 we wander across.

Giovanna shows us the options for eating. We select the €20 each menu which is 10 antipasti, 1 primo , 1 secondo, frutta, aqua, vino.

The antipasti is similar to yesterday's, with addiional tomato and garlic bruscetta, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms. A pitcher of wine and bottle of water come too. The primo [first] course is two types of pasta; one with bolognase sauce and the other with artichoke and creamed squash. Giovanna translates on her phone that the squash cream is an experiment, did we like it. Yes. The meat course is three types of pork, grilled fillet, gammon and bacon with olive oil and lemon cooking juices. Oranges, strawberries and a shot of blow your tasebuds coffee finish it off. We meet Giovanna's father and mother and husband and 3 year od son. It's all so friendly and welcoming.

When we leave the restaurant the sky is filled with stars and owls are hooting. They even try hooting in English.

We need these calm days now and then to step back and take it easy or else it all becomes a blur.

We should certainly sleep well tonight!