The Soft Option with eel icecream

Today we decided to give our leggies a little rest and catch the bus to to the halfway point(OK maybe it was the 3/4 point). We decided to explore the town of Positano-visually stunning from a distance but unpleasant close up-just like walking around Chadstone but with steps and American accents.

After about half an hour we had enough of the seething hoards and made our way up and up the hill to the bus stop. Interesting trip especially when the bus stopped in the middle of the road and the driver walked up and down the aisle jabbering away for whatever reason-he seemed somewhat disturbed but we didn't want to upset him any further for obvious reasons.

We were dropped off unharmed physically but somewhat shaken at a small village with views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius

and then walked about 5 Km to Sant Agata where the nice lady asks us if we want to stay in the luxury apartment? Tough question, turned out yes was the correct answer.

This evening we have a booking at the Legendary Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant which is a short walk from our hotel. The food, setting and service were superlative.

Following the meal we are taken on a tour of the pre-Roman cellars and the kitchen.

Livia the owner

The Somm

We try out Rudolph(Ravello rain gear)

A wholesome breakfast and then onto the Path of the Gods walk.

Views from Praiano towards Positano

In order to be with the Gods it turns out one must have to ascend to their level by, naturally, stairs.

Morning tea with the Gods

We eventually get to the POTG and are immediately invaded by hordes of Hun schoolchildren who seem intent on taking over this part of the world, again-they march past us in serried ranks singing patriotic songs or listening to hip-hop on their transistor radios.

Anyway, the views are as usual and the weather is fine with the occasional low rumble of thunder WHEN suddenly the Gods decide they have had enough and the heavens open with torrential rains, hail, lightning and typhoons-what next, raining frogs?

The track becomes a creek

OK, maybe a slight exaggeration

but we struggle on manfully and eventually stop for lunch as the weather clears.

Of course there is the obligatory walk down via the 900 steps

to Positano which is full of Americans, Australians and other detritus of the tourist population.

We stop for the obligatory gelato and then walk the extra Ks to our hotel situated as usual at the far end of town. When enquiring at reception how we get to our restaurant tonight, we are told:”First you must go up the 250 steps to get to the road”! The rest of the instructions were a blur.

So it is off on the magical mystery tour bus at breakneck speeds to our restaurant at Montepertuso. Following a delightful meal we pass up the opportunity to walk the 900 steps back to our hotel and take the shuttle bus back to town, leaving us only about 2Km walk.