We have woken up to a windy yet sunny morning in Santa Maria de Leuca, which is the sole of the heel of Italy (sole reference stolen from SR). Feels a bit like Hawaii. Yesterday we rode 56km from Gallipoli to Leuca. We had spent the previous day resting in Gallipoli following our crash, and managed to swim in the sea and sample the local seafood. There is definitely a different feel here as there always is by the sea. You can also see there is more wealth here than some of the other seaside towns, evidenced by the well maintained villas, the yacht club full of pristine vessels, and the manicured streets. By manicured I mean the lack of rubbish lying by the curb!
It is quite an experience traveling through seaside towns in the off season, as much of Southern Italy is really only open in the height of summer from mid-July to mid-August. We had an incredible lunch yesterday at a restaurant by the side of the road overlooking the sea. Some of the best fish we have ever tasted and yet we were the only customers! It is mind boggling how they manage to survive at all - I suppose another vignette of the struggling Italian economy.
Embarking on our last few days of cycling before heading up to Bologna for time with old friends and some good Northern cuisine. I'll be sure to fit in a few runs for the lack of cycling!
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