After the Rain

Yesterday it rained and rained all day. It was actually a nice chance to cool down. 

A break from days on end of suffocating heat and blazing sun.

In the late afternoon the sun suddenly came out.

The perfect time to go for a swim in the sea. 

At sunset, after a rainy day . . .  you are guaranteed to have the beach all to yourself.

A moment for true connoisseurs.

And connoisseurs in training . . .

Men at Play, 2

Day Two of my husband and younger son's road trip started bright and early, after a violently windy night during which they didn't get much sleep for fear that the tent was going to blow away - with them in it!

Is it safe to come out now?

But things started looking a lot brighter after their morning consitutional . . . and a big cappucino and cream-filled cornetto at the bar. Italian campgrounds are fully equipped set-ups with coffee bars, mini-markets, deluxe (ha!) exercise centers like the one below, restaurants, you name it.

One, two, one, two . . .

On to the serious business of the day . . . beach time! 

Getting up early has its benefits, you get the whole beach to yourself.

These stones are mine, all mine!

This beach is called Baia delle Zagare, or Orange Blossom Bay. What looks like sand is actually millions of small, smooth pebbles that lie from the sea's crystal clear waters all the way up to the sheer white cliffs that border the beach.

This paradise is located at Vignanotica, on the Gargano peninsula.

G. spent all his time face down in the water, snorkling around for hours on end. He tells me he was looking at the pebbles, but when I asked him if he saw any fish he replied indifferently, "oh yeah, there were tons of fish." Fish - how dull. Rocks - thrilling! I've obviously got my priorities all wrong . . .

All in all, two idyllic days that won't soon be forgotten.

Men at Play

My husband and younger son just got back from a two-day father and son adventure. They took off yesterday morning on the motorcycle for a trip to the Gargano peninsula - the spur on the heel of the Italian boot.

Ready to roll!

First stop was in the small town of Zaponeta for "the best focaccia in the world," according to G.

Yum!

Then a detour to the waterpark . . . G forgot his bathing suit at home. Good thing they're both guys and somebody brought an extra suit!

A stopover at Caseificio dei Pini, where they make mozzarella from buffalo milk, is an absolute must.

A man and his motorcycle

 Then finally, arrival at destination and a well-deserved dip in the sea.

See you back here tomorrow for photos of the gorgeous beach scenery and the rather less than gorgeous campsite.

Beach Banquet

Sunday in the summertime means meeting up with friends at the local beach club for a day of sun, sea . . . and food. Well, this is Italy, right? Food is always at the center of any gathering, get used to it!

This particular group of friends has a weekly tradition of enjoying raw mussels accompanied by a few bottles of prosecco. In the photo above you can see the guys opening the mussels, while the women stand by ready to dive in, squeeze on a few drops of fresh lemon juice and devour.

That's just the appetizer, however. The real meal is yet to come. Everyone brings something they have cooked  at home to share and you had better be quick if you see something you like, it won't last long!

Unfortunately for gluten and lactose intolerant me, I have to pass on most of these yummy delights. I did enjoy some delicious baked onions and some truly divine grilled eggplant. Mouthwatering!

And, of course, there was the prosecco!

The Last Time Down the Slide

On the last day at the beach club, both of my boys left crying.

"Goodbye, beach club! Goodbye, swimming pool! Goodbye, high dive! Goodbye, water slide! See you next summer!"

The summer is so long when you are a child, but the school year is even longer!

A Poem

I Saw From the Beach
by Thomas Moore

I saw from the beach, when the morning was shining,
A bark o'er the waters move gloriously on;
I came when the sun o'er that beach was declining,
The bark was still there, but the waters were gone.

And such is the fate of our life's early promise,
So passing the spring-tide of joy we have known;
Each wave that we danced on at morning ebbs from us,
And leaves us, at eve, on the bleak shore alone.

Oh, who would not welcome that moment's returning
When passion first waked a new life through his frame,
And his soul, like the wood that grows precious in burning,
Gave out all its sweets to love's exquisite flame.