Our ride skirted the north of Etna and took us through some lava fields then into wonderful open country, characterised by huge broad valleys. The road was in fair condition and had dozens of stupendous sweepers that made for tremendously enjoyable riding.
Two sights along the way held our attention. The first was a stop at a castle carved into a rock formation in the small town of Sperlinga and the second the town of Gangi which we viewed from a little distance. It presents the most extraordinary sight, being built on a steep sided hill and completely covering the hill, leaving the surrounding countryside and hills more or less bare of habitation. It resembled some fanciful paintings I have seen, a kind of cross between sci-fi and childish whimsy.
We had a great view of Gangi from our lunch stop where we were treated to a fabulous meal. At quite short notice, the restaurant produced a magnificent set of anti pasti dishes that pretty well filled everybody's belly to bursting point although somehow, we also found room for barbecued sausages and the best ice cream of the trip.
Arriving at the coast after dropping down from the inland hills, we were greeted by the spectacle of a a sea of white horses driven by a strong wind that carried salt spray and the scent of seaweed ashore. We followed the coast a few miles before arriving at our very pleasant hotel which fortunately was sheltered from the wind by a small headland, allowing us to enjoy the tranquil setting of a garden right by the sea.
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