Thursday 04/11/2010

Breakfast was quite different her because there was a bigger choice and the 2 ladies (Susanna and Megali) were great.  We were the only ones for breakfast this morning. Apparently the place is closing for the winter when we leave on Saturday. Caught a train (with a daily pass allowing access to trains and busses on the Cinquw Terre) to Riomaggorie and walked up and up and up then down and down down many narrow steps in alleys to the Marina (no big boats - just tinnies). We spent about 2 hours here and the place is beautiful. Unfortunately a lot of the businesses are starting to close for the winter as tourism drops off so it was not just a matter of having a coffee anywhere. It needed to be planned. This didn't really bother as we just walked and tok photos. Then we were back on the train again to Monterosso where we spent about 1 1/2 hours. Purchased some wraps and scarves as gifts. By this time were were foot and leg tired so back to Moneglia with the thought we might buy a bottle of wine and sit out on the verandah. No such luck as it was not yet 4pm which seems to be the re-opening time here. Even the Post Office at this time of year only opens 8:30/9am - 12:00/12:30pm. We sat on the verandah with an instant coffee instead. After being given a username and password for the internet we found the room was locked (again because it is so quiet they are out). I did not like the "squat over" public toilets in Italy!! I finished the book "The Evil Seed" by Joanne Harris which I "borrowed" from the bookshelf at The Hotel Churchill in Bayeux. Can't believe I have done so much reading. It is 6:45pm and there is a family of 2A + 2C in the playground near our accommodation - our kids would be home having dinner. This seems to be the practice here with children out late in restaurants etc. Calld Aimee, our travel agent, this morning to tell her just how good the accommodation was. Visited the same restaurant as last night and I think she is trying to get us back tomorrow night (our last night).