Back in the slow lane

We arrived back on Familia after 36 hours of travel by car, plane, ferry and van, arriving in 12 degree rain  to discover that the non-return valve in the shower pump out line had done a little wobbly. This meant that there was water all through the normally dry bilge and everything was damp. Not what you need when seriously jetlagged.

Everyone grumpily went to bed early except me, cleverly seeing an opportunity to focus on the mop up and then go to bed at a normal time, thereby beating the jetlag on day 1. My brilliant stratagem fell apart at 4AM when everyone cheerfully woke me up to watch movies on the laptop. Oh ye of little discipline. 4 days later everyone has the flu and we are still operating on a type of hybrid time, better suited to India or thereabouts.



In denial in Procida



Everything is noticably colder than 4 weeks ago, air and water temperature; but I have been desperate to suck the last of the marrow from this summer.  Once the sun did come out I have been firmly in denial, wearing boardshorts and swimming at the beach as the locals wander by in jeans, jackets and boots. The cheerful little beach scene of 4 weeks ago is now non-existent: the beach is empty, the deck chair vendors have packed up and left, and the lonely feeling is augmented by the flotsam strewn over the sand, washed up in the wild storms over the last few weeks.



Sculptures on the beach at Chiaiolella, Procida


The Autumnal weather means that cooking downstairs is now a perfectly acceptable activity. After visiting the markets Cathe made chicken noodle soup to feed the flu riddled crew. Not quite the bench space one would like but it's interesting how quickly we adjust.


Autumn slow cooking


The last of our bags finally arrived today (yes unbelievably we temporarily lost another one in transit) so we are ready to once again resume the wandering life. Tomorrow might be another lay day to shake the flu off better (and watch the Wallabies game) and then we'll be off again where the wind takes us. Some options will be less available, already the waterfronts are shutting down: cafes with the shutters drawn, hotels locked down, etc.  However, it's nice to feel that the pace has slowed down and the tourists have mostly left for jobs or warmer climes.

Southward bound.