14th Jan: Camping Torre Salsa Agriturismo

The coast road from Avola to Torre Salsa is not recommended, so we took the motorway across the centre of the island and cut down to our destination at the appropriate point.

Our journey took us through broad, cultivated valleys with hills or mountains on either side. The towns and villages tended to be on the hillsides as in the photo taken when we stopped for lunch. It looks like Etna’s just exploded behind the village but it’s only a dramatic cloud.

The agriturismo bit in the blog heading simply means that the campsite’s on a farm. It is set on high ground overlooking the sea half a mile away, and is adjacent to a Natural Park. This is the view from the terrace where we checked in.

Strangely, the campsite is also a Nordic Walking Centre and obviously targets the Scandinavian sun seekers  because there are signs near each entrance to the beach stating “No Nudism”; some barely(!) readable. Maybe the Nordic Walkers then walk starkers as a protest- just watch where you’re swinging those poles!

We haven’t seen any proper Nordic Walkers and the few pitches taken are occupied by Germans, who are very friendly. So we’ve got plenty of room to spread out (we’re occupying two pitches), as you can see.

So what’s the metal structure? Are we in a hop yard, or a radar tracking station?  The iron framework is covered over during the summer months to shield motor homes and caravans from the intense sun. At those times it must feel quite claustrophobic, being full of people and vehicles and covered all over in sun-blocking material. Factor 50 material, I’m sure.

Now for some Nordic Walking: not exactly, but there are extensive tracks for the Nordic Walkers that are equally good for normal walking, and most pleasant.

Here’s a typical stretch of path, with Jane holding a bunch of wild asparagus. I’d like to claim we’d picked it ourselves, but it was given to us by a kind German couple who come here every year and know all its secrets. We were advised that wild asparagus makes a delicious omelette, and this is what Jane cooked for our evening meal. It didn’t quite live up to expectations as it was rather bitter, but we enjoyed the experience.

The various trails pass through undulating woodlands, fields and seascapes at clifftop and beach level. Here’s a sea view with a nice sunset.