10. Capri sun

Saturday 24th was a day of sun, and being it a Saturday, it was also a holiday. To celebrate the day off in the sun, today's featured sunglasses are these particularly stylish ladies' ones known as Fashion Capri Suntanbrown which can be bought on sourcingmap.com. Just the thing to complete that summer look for all those aspiring young women out there.

So with the sun behind me, off I set to Capri, the famous island of film stars in the sun. One of the candidates I was examining told me that it's where all the "important people go". Upon clarification, I learnt that 'important people' included Brad Pitt. Good to see where priorities lie.

I'd tried to get to Capri the week before but was unsuccessful because I slept in and had a very leisurely breakfast instead. I think the same fate may have befallen me if it wasn't for the fact that I was in company this time and was obliged to make an early breakfast of 08:30. And what does the 'O' stand for? The pair I was travelling with were another examiner (Ann) and her friend who'd flown in from Syria, Jules. You can see us on our walking tour, which took in a good part of the island.

The tour itself was know to Ann, a hiker by hobby, as one which had only recently opened and was supposed to be the talk of the hiking community. Being told that it was only an hour in length, Jules and I felt quite up to the task. Four hours later, we were less convinced. Suffice to say, we walked around half the island and were desperate for beers at the end. The walk just went on and on at and our mouths, having used up our meagre supplies after a couple of hours, were dry as you like. It got to the stage of feeling like Ice Cold in Alex. So when we did finally get to the end of the route and discovered a bar, we weren't slow in drinking 3 beers each and some water. So, 9 small bottles of beer in total and a bottle of water: the price? €50. Of course, it's holiday town and prices are reflected accordingly. However, because of the extreme thirst, €5 a beer was a small price to pay. Perhaps more alarming is the fact that I was wearing shorts. I coped but I'm sure I put a few locals off their paninis.


Interestingly for me, the walk took in five old British forts, which were taken by Napoleon's forces in 1808. I knew a little about the forts and the battles when the forts were taken and started to enlighten my companions. While I can say that my enthusiasm for the topic carried them a certain way through my tale, I had hardly got onto Governor Hudson Lowe when their eyes started to glaze over. I thought it best to leave it there and let them get back to children and accessories, with a special focus on bags and rings. I just can't understand why they weren't more interested. Quite strange.

Not only did the walk take in the forts, but also the famous Blue Grotto [pictured] and a variety of stunning coastal views, including numerous little coves with folk in boats frolicking in the sea and sun. All very jolly.

All spent, we returned to Naples, only to discover that there'd been riots / clashes with police over the rubbish problems <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7418558.stm>. I don't know, go away for a day and look what happens.

Either way, I have left the city and its waste disposal problems behind and have gone 70km north east to Benevento. Restaurants, arches and religious processions all feature in the following blogs...