Sad.

Santa Teresa was one of the highlights of a sailing trip in 2010 but now parts of the traditional section of the town have been renovated and not in a good way, some of the old shops and houses are now brash emporiums selling plastic food and cheap souvenirs and even the old restaurants in the square have loud dance/ house music blasting out. A sad return down memory lane but I did experience an Eagles moment "a girl my Lord in a flat-bed Ford 'slowing down to take a look at me' actually she was driving a Fiat but it did make me smile.

Lazing in the sun.

The plan was to relax in luxury this weekend but I still find I cannot just lie in the sun so yesterday after doing the shopping for my new friends 'Posh and The Princess' I headed off to explore the Costa Smeralda. I prefer the view from out at sea, the reality of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo is frighteningly too good to be true, all clipped, swept and polished to perfection. I much prefer the natural beauty of the West coast around Alghero. the afternoon was better, Lovely fresh food for lunch an hour by the pool reading and then a swim in the 50 metre pool. Today I dropped the ladies off in town and I am due to pick them up at 4pm. I have been planning the rest of my trip, tonight I am going up to Santa Teresa Gallura for dinner then tomorrow down the east coast to the Gulf of Orosei for either a walk to a remote beach with my picnic or maybe a boat trip to many beaches, whichever I manage I will try the other another day, There is lots to do on the island but it is all kept very quiet, trawling the internet reveals very little, all my information has come from locals and the free maps handed out by car hire companies etc.
Got to go and put on my taxi drivers hat. Bye.

Divertions.

Santa Teresa Gallura had to take a back seat after I found Castelsardo, yet another marina with all facilities but as you climb the hill towards the castle the bars and restaurants multiply until you hit the piazza or performance area. From there you can still go up to the castle for magnificent views and twee restaurants in the narrow streets within the castle itself. Yet another stop on the circumnavigation of the island.
I arrived at this remote resort and as I was checking in I heard a couple of ladies bemoaning the fact that the nearest supermarket was 5kms away so I volunteered to give Sandra and Margaret a lift to to do their shopping for the week. What a mistake. I sat outside the supermarket for nearly two hours while they made their purchases, still I am now a hero for the next few days.
A major monument on this trip was that I actually finished a Daily Telegraph crossword and within two days.
A chill out night tonight with the prospect of two more days of relaxing before excursions into the mountains and down to the eastern coast beaches for walks then who knows? I will just have to keep a low profile where my new friends Margaret and Sandra are concerned.

Castelsardo

Castelsardo marina from the Castle

The backstreets in the castle

Magic church tower

Stintino hits the spot

I wasn't sure about il Pape when I picked him up from Hertz but this version is nearly proper car sized, the diesel engine is powerful enough and the controls are simple and easy to use, I especially like the good ground clearance - much better for off-road (don't tell Hertz). The only faults are the ends and edges of the vehicle are difficult to judge and the gearbox is a little vague.

Today I followed Daniel's recommendations and they were well worth following. I spent an hour sitting on top of a hill with a 360 view just listening , there wasn't a sound of human manufacture, at first it was silent then the sounds of nature started coming through, amazing, the only time I have been away from traffic noise in the UK was in Scotland and that was probably because the noise of the wind drowned it out. Stintino has a beautiful beach but even on a Thursday in mid season it was busy the port itself though was quiet with ample pleasant bars and restaurants and what made it for me two harbours one of which had lots of small lateen rigged boats, I would love to go out in one to find out how that rig works. The place would make a brilliant out of season hideaway. Porto Torres was quite industrial but again had a pleasant marina, I am beginning to think that Sardinia would be a dream to circumnavigate by boat, there are pleasant marinas and sheltered inlets all around the coast I have seen so far.

I found out this afternoon that Daniel is actually Anna's son, I have lots of photos of them so they will be posted by 15th June when I get home.

Leaving my basic cabin here for a luxury apartment in Olbia tomorrow but I am obviously taking the scenic route and a couple more of Daniel's recommendations also I plan to visit Santa Teresa Gallura where the boys and I had a good night when we sailed here a few years ago, it was my favourite location on that trip.

Stintino beach and the water separating Sardinia and Corsica

Ups and Downs

An inspired choice today putting Vivaldi on the car CD player, it just seemed to fit with the location and the twisting turning roads up into the hills of North West Sardinia. I did a circular route down to Oristano through stunning countryside but the highlight of the trip was the coast road from Bosa Marina back to Alhero, I did some of it in reverse and it is beautiful both ways. Don't bother with Oristano, just a big town with narrow streets. Yesterday I did local exploring and although I did not seem many cars etc on the road besides the, Lycra clad loonies, when I got to the tourist sites they were all rammed full, I am glad I don't enjoy caves and churches.
Anna on closer inspection is quite frightening like an Italian version of Carmen Silvera from 'Ello ' Ello with psychedelic eye makeup. I will try for a photo before I leave.
I had a chat with Daniel this evening and he has given me a list of must see places for the next two days before I hit the expensive Costa Smeralda on Friday afternoon. So time now for my first serious local salad with a glass of the local white wine which to me tastes like a good Sauvignon Blanc.

Danielle and Mama Anna

My kitchen, basic or what.

Alghero

i have landed on my feet again, upgraded two levels on the hire car with Hertz, now driving a Fiat 500 Popemobile with less than 150 kms on the clock and I am now checked in to a cabin on a very local caravan and campsite ( think of of caravans on bricks) but Anna and Daniel are teaching me Italian, the Ichnusa beer is very good and I have been promised huge amounts of food tonight for £10. I hit Lidl for the staples this afternoon and I will start my exploring tomorrow with the old town and then who knows.

Oh No Bank Holiday Half-Term

The adventure has started.
Yesterday I had a great run down to Stanstead, less than four and a half hours, I had not realised that Stanstead was in Essex until I met all the TOWIE lookalikes in the bar and restaurant last night. I also had not realised that it was half term, imagine my horror at all the rug rats polluting the airport. Hopefully they will be flying to more touristy destinations and leave me to explore Sardinia in peace.
If you should ever stay in the Holiday Inn Express at Stanstead, don't bother with the breakfast it is tasteless mush and avoid the Becks Vier, I am sure it was watered down, the Amstel on the other hand is excellent and I couldn't fault the friendly efficient staff.