Our first Sicilian night................

Pollo di Mazza, our first agriturismo was out on a flat country plain surrounded by fields but hidden by trees and palms. Built of honey coloured limestone that was crumbling with age, the rooms were simple and clean with oak furnishings of a deep dark rich brown. A wooden beam roof with simple murals painted on walls made it very romantic, so I’m told. Terracotta tiled floors were cool on the feet. The outdoor swimming pool was divine and we had it to ourselves.

The breakfast/evening meal terrace

Later, as the sun started to sink and the temperature dropped to a bearable 28C, we went off in search of food. A five kilometre drive to the coast led to a small beachside bar. Sat on a small cliff top wooden bar patio surrounded by local Italian family and friends, teenagers played table football animatedly but with good humour. The low limestone cliffs stretching either side were layered giving easy access to the water. Large rocks over centuries had collapsed into the crystal clear azure seas. Italians lounged on towels sunbathing in the early evening sun. Our diet cokes on ice slipped down nicely as we admired the views; the peninsula to the north dotted with individual terracotta roofed houses.

Prickly Pears

An invasive species that came from India/China and seems to be doing very well across the Mediterranean region. You often see the pears for sale on roadside fruit and veg stalls. 

Back on our little terrace we peeled fresh oranges bought from a local roadside fruit stall we found and mixed them with divine kiwi fruits and a pack of TUC biscuits. I know how to treat a girl to a good night out!

One of the little outrooms

Dry stone walling Sicilian style