It is now Saturday 10th June and we have just arrived in Ancona. We experienced a few problems with the Internet Cafe in Roseta degli Abruzzi where we have recently been staying. It had erratic opening hours, so as a consequence we were rather frustrated over making our postings.

Anyway, to continue our story from Mattinata. The next morning, after picking up supplies from the local supermercator we went inland and up, through the most wonderful countryside of forest and mountains to the tip of Italy's spur, a town called Vieste. A pretty port and old world town. Mixed day of showers and sunshine found us driving up the east coast, past mile after mile of golden sands on our right and to our left snow-capped mountains, it was a really great drive.

We were aiming for anywhere along the coast that took our fancy, but it seemed that hotels were few and hard to find. Although the coast was geared up for holidaymakers. They either took their own accommodation with them (loads of campsites) or else rented an apartment - of which there were hundreds. Eventually, as the evening was drawing in and we had travelled for quite some time, in desperation we saw a sign for a hotel off the beaten track upon a hillside and checked in for the night there. The hotel was small but friendly and the views in all directions were fabulous. We were given a simple but adequate dinner there, with what has now become the norm - a carafe of wine and after an hour with our books we were soon off to bed.