Capri 2002

Sat Oct 19th

Drive to London. Leave car at John and Caro’s. Fly to Naples via Paris. Ferry to Capri, walk to apartment.

Actually, we drove to London the previous night and spent evening with John and Caro. Took the underground to Heathrow, and flew to Paris Orly, connected to the flight to Naples. Unfortunately, our luggage didn’t arrive at Naples, so filled out the form at lost property office. They gave us emergency packs of toiletries. Took the bus to the harbour and boarded the ferry to Capri.

Walked down Via Sopramonte to our apartment, and found a small general stores where we bought some underwear. We were too tired to walk back into town for dinner, so we went next door to Bar Lindos and had a beer. They didn’t do food so we ate peanuts for dinner!

Sun Oct 20th

Walked into Capri town to check on luggage. Walked towards Villa Jovis

Walked into Capri town, and cheekily asked a hotel if we could use their phone to chase up our luggage. Took photos looking across the Bay of Naples. Had lunch, and then walked down Via Tiberio towards the Roman Villa Jovis. Our luggage arrived unannounced in the afternoon.

For dinner, we returned to the Ristorante – Pizzeria Longano which we discovered on our Amalfi holiday.

Mon Oct 21st

Took bus to Villa San Michele, walked into Anacapri, then cable car up Monte Solaro.

Walked into Capri town and took the bus to Villa San Michele; enjoyed the gardens and the spectacular views.

Afterwards, we walked into Anacapri for some lunch, and then took the cable car up Monte Solaro. Walked down the Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Steps) to Marina Grande for beers. And then the Funicolare di Capri back to our apartment.

Tue Oct 22nd

Walked down to Arco Naturale, Villa Malaparte

It was overcast and I was feeling a bit off-colour so we stayed around the apartment for most of the day. Late afternoon, we decided to have a walk on Via Matermania to the Arco Naturale, and then down the steps of Via del Pizzolungo towards the Faraglione Islands and Villa Malaparte. It was nearly dark by the time we’d completed the circular walk.

Wed Oct 23rd

Pompeii

Took the ferry to Sorrento, then the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. We were concerned when we got there and saw several coaches in the car park, but we needn’t have worried… the Pompeii complex is huge and there was no overcrowding. It was a fantastic day and exceeded our expectations. Had a beer afterwards, then took the train back to Sorrento and had to wait an hour or so for the ferry.

Sat in Piazza Umberto with beers in the evening, people watching before finding somewhere to eat.

Thu Oct 24th

Walked down Via Krupp to Marina Piccola

Looking at the map of the island, we decided to walk through Capri town and take Via Krupp down to Marina Piccola. When we got there, there was a barrier across the path and a warning of falling rocks. We asked in the nearby tourist office, and they indicated that it doesn’t stop people, but it just means that they do it at their own risk.

So we went back, climbed over the barrier and enjoyed a fantastic and scenic walk down to the sea. We stopped for lunch just outside Marina Piccola where we sat enjoying the views, and watching a wedding procession. We walked down to the water’s edge and took some pics before returning to Capri town and a well earned ice-cream.

Fri Oct 25th

Took boat around the island

Took the funicular down to Marina Grande and joined a small pleasure boat for a trip around the island. As we were waiting to leave, I noticed a waterspout somewhere between us and the distant Mt Vesuvius. My Canon camera had the smaller ‘kit’ lens fitted, so I reached in my camera bag for my big 200mm lens to take the shot. Fitted it, and there was a horrible crunch when I tried to focus… sod’s law or what. I hastily refitted the kit lens and took a barely adequate shot, but the waterspout can just about seen. Incidentally, the only other time my camera died on me was a Canon Ixus point and shoot. So that’s it with Canon for me.

Nice trip around the island, and then through the natural arch in the Faraglione Islands, but couldn’t go into the Blue Grotto because of the swell. It was our last night, so dinner at the Ristorante – Pizzeria Longano again.

Sat Oct 26th

Fly to London via Paris

Ferry back to Naples, and a taxi to the airport where we saw a very enterprising (if slightly insane) piece of driving… our taxi was in the fast lane of an urban dual carriageway, and there was a gap between carriageways coming up. A woman we were about to overtake, suddenly hauled on her steering wheel and did a full dual carriageway U-turn, across two fast lanes… and all the time, she was talking on her mobile phone! I wonder if she’s still alive?

Uneventful flight back to London via Paris. Another evening with John and Caro.

Sun Oct 27th

Drive home

Very high winds overnight, and we found the North Circular was blocked by falling trees so detoured via Wembley and Alperton, and it took us 4 1/2 hours to get back to Staffordshire.