We are up quite early aided by the amount of traffic going through the harbour. Destination today is Noto but instead of the direct route we start out along the coast past some interesting derelict industrial buildings and a castle-like structure. A few miles on the coast road is closed where a bridge is being repaired so we go back towards Pachino, through the town onto Noto. We've programmed a camperstop in Noto and approach on a none too promising road, but...

Although it's a lovely location it ain't quiet. The digger on the adjacent site starts work at 06:30 masking the sounds of the factory presses behind which run 24/7. Ali gets bread from the baker's van which calls each morning, we service the van and say goodbye to Toni and Giorgio. Toni is still telling us places to go and things to see as we drive through the gate. What a star he is. It's a short drive to Scicli [pronounced Skiggly] and we park on the outs...

We had such a lovely lunch yesterday that we decide to take a day off here and eat at the same restaurant this evening. For most of the day we relax, read up about future destinations and catch up with emails and other internet bits then at 16:30 we wander into town and amble around the harbour and seafront again until the restaurant opens. Tonight we have caprese [tomato, mozarella and herbs] then pasta dishes. It's all excellent with the same friendly servic...

It's possible we drank a little too much wine last night. Anyway this morning is warm and sunny and we're in no mood to hurry. We decide to stay and visit the town and maybe find somewhere nice for lunch. After the bread lady's van has been Ali rinses out some smalls and tee shirts to leave hanging in the sun then we use the map Toni gave us for the 10 minute walk to town. Marina di Ragusa is a typical seaside resort with lots of villas and apartments and in ...

You never know what you'll wake up to. Among this morning's birdsongs are the unmistakable chimes of a cuckoo. In the early sunlight the trattoria looks like a painting; warm brown stones, clay tile roof and claret roses by the arched doorway. Ali goes to say goodbye and asks if they have a business card for a souvenir. They don't, but instead Senora gives her a menu and a little terracotta side dish. We set off up the hill towards Piazza - there's no way ou...