A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Friday 18 June 2010

A Walk On The Rock

A brick and stone path zigzags from Cefalù's old quarter up the western crag of La Rocca, or The Rock. This view's looking back over the new town and its crescent-shaped beach lapped by the Tyrrhenian sea...


The path takes you past prickly pear and giant fennel, and through swathes of purple and yellow wildflowers...




... to the Temple of Diana, an ancient megalith which had been 'done up' by the Greeks...


A steeper, rougher track climbs to the ruins of an old fort at the summit. Near the top a black snake hurtles across the path in front of me - a viper possibly, but, in view of its speed, more likely a western whip snake. Everywhere there are black and yellow lizards, about 5 to 6 inches long. They freeze, dart along the warm rocks, then freeze again. It's a hot, sunny morning - maybe 26 or 27 degrees C - and, on the way down, the cooling shade of a small pinewood is very welcome. A jay perches fearlessly on the lowest branch of a pine tree a mere arm's length away.

Here's the view from the Rock's northern edge overlooking the intricate warren of Cefalù's old town, wedged between sea and cliff...



7 comments:

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

I have several friends who have been to Sicily in recent times and they all insist I absolutely have to make it there. And now your delightful series of posts leaves me no choice.

Kiwi Nomad said...

What a magical place to walk.... you are having quite an adventure in such historic and beautiful places.

Laura said...

Beautiful! I am enjoying your descriptions and photos. Thanks.

The Solitary Walker said...

I can really recommend a visit to Sicily. Almost always I find the extremities of countries quite special: England's Cornwall, Scotland's Cape Wrath and Sandwood Bay, Ireland's SW peninsulas, the Finisterres of France and Spain, Florida's Key West and so on.

gleaner said...

Great photos...makes me want to go travelling.

Grace said...

I've always loved how compact the building are in those European sea-side towns how they appear to be built wihtin the landscape. I might be going to France next year (spring/summer or fall) so maybe I'll finally get to see them with my own eyes!

The Solitary Walker said...

Gleaner - thanks! And Grace - just go! You'll love it.