Although we've been able to travel from The Cottage though all but the strictest of restrictions by bike or van or ferry, airports have been off limits. Sure, we've been allowed to get on a plane, but with no guarantee of a safe return on a designated date, we weren't really comfortable able the mental and financial risks involved.
As such, we've several airline credits to use, along with a flight to Naples in Italy, where, last month we were due to join Tim and Julia on a nearby island, for their wedding celebrations. Obviously, we'd have liked to have been flying out to meet friends and celebrate, but having literally 'missed the party', and cancelled the proposed trip, we still had an un-refundable ticket to use up. As luck would have it, as a runners up prize, there turns out to be a bit of rock climbing nearby. So better late than never, with another (this time favourable) change in regulations, we said our farewells to the Welsh mountains and set off from a dark and rain swept runway in search of some sunny adventures.
It was a tense affair, doing tests before getting on the flight, but thankfully, we were cleared for take off and it looked like we might be making our getaway. Although we had made a provisional plan, I don't think either of us would have been surprised if at the last minute, we were told that all bets we off. However, looking down over the Alps as the sun rose, it all felt like things were coming together at last and for the first time in a really long time, we were further away than a car drive from the house.
We passed over the island, where we had been due to celebrate with the wedding party, little over a month ago, before landing in Naples.
We'd been told that Naples didn't have much going for it and although we only saw a tiny snap shot of town, I'd be inclined to agree. It had a bit of an African feel to it. The roads were incredible. Bumper to bumper traffic all honking horns, swerving, overtaking, undertaking and gesticulating from open windows. Our 'cheaper than average' car hire that we'd booked online, involved leaving the airport and queuing at a rundown building behind the terminal. Luckily, we walked there as the shuttle bus from the terminal arrived after us (as the traffic was so bad). Tempers were beginning to fray by those around us (especially the ones who arrived at the airport before us and were now in the queue behind us) as it took about an hour and a half for the company to find our car! (at least it was cheap!). Eventually, we drove away from the annoyed crowd that was gathering outside and wheel-spun into the wacky races that led out of town in our Fiat 500.
The rally driving stress, with Clare giving directions saw us weaving though the chaos of the city, but before too long, we'd crossed the city limits and everything and everyone seemed to slow down a bit. A hour later, north up the coast, we arrived at the small town of Gaeta.
We parked up by the beach and walked down to the waters edge to dip our toes in. We had time to sit and feel the heat for half an hour, before meeting our Airb&b host.
The apartment is just above this beach, with a balcony view. All for little more than the price of camping in Cornwall!
Before dark, we walked down into town and ate take away Pizza and (at our host's insistence), some local specialities, call Teilla, which are a bit like pasties, but with fish in them. We were exhausted after our early (04:14am) alarm call, so after listening to a live band playing on the beach, returned to the pad for a long, solid sleep.
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