Day 72 5.6.23.

Locorotondo to Specchiolla via Ostuni.

Last was a bit noisy with young Italians wheeling their scooters and attempting donuts in various 4 wheeled vehicles . They played their music as loud as they could and had a thoroughly good time. It was all over by 11.30pm and from then on the night was peaceful.

The sun was hot again bright and early, so we didn’t hang around as there was no shade and we were already getting hot under the collar .

Our first stop was for supplies from good old reliable Lidl and then we headed for Ostuni, another of the ‘white cities’.

Our journey took us past what felt like oceans of olive trees, with huge chunky, twisted trunks and some with holes through them. Wow!

We parked on wasteland that had parking machines no longer in use. A lovely local fleeced us of €10 which to be honest was the same as the official parking in Alberobello so we didn’t argue over it.

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The parking area was just outside the old walls and is a great starting point. As we had some cloud cover we decided that it was ok for us and Meg to go on another town walk and chose to walk in the shade wherever possible.

We were puffed just walking up to the old gate, and then once inside it was up again , not sure we’re getting any fitter!

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As expected Ostuni is beautiful.

More cute little lanes leading to dinky little squares with many bars and shops squeezed in.

This in no way detracted from the beauty of Ostuni, in fact it just made it prettier. The difference between here and yesterdays white city of Locorotondo is that Ostuni is very hilly , so there are plenty of ups and downs. There were also a lot of people walking gingerly so as not to slip on the shiny stone walkways.

The views are amazing from the town, as far as the eye can see is olive trees until they meet the Adriatic Coast.

We stopped for a fizzy water and a expressino freddo (ice cream, expresso and cream served in a glass ), yum yum.

Eventually we arrived in the Piazza del Liberte where the new town begins.

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We were too hot to stop for lunch so wandered back to the van and opted for a night on a campsite Camping Pineta al Mare.

I was going to do some washing but the machine is out of order . Not to worry, we’ll survive .

So we arrived in Specchiolla just after 2pm and parked in a shady spot. We got set up, got the chairs out and just sat! Travelling in the heat is not for us. The pharmacy in Ostuni was showing 31° as we were leaving and the van is always 3-5° hotter inside than outside .

Meg got her beach run as well, though the beach was a bit disappointing and needs some TLC, she didn’t care and swam to her heart’s content .

It’s nearly 10.30pm here and we are still sat outside, that’s a first for me. Even Meg has spent more time out than in today!.

Off to see a castle tomorrow in Otranto, that’ll keep the driver happy .

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