D-2 Ionian Sea to Brindisi

Woke at 6 after a pretty good night's sleep with a very calm sea. Had to empty and repack my rucksack, need to improve my packing system.
Going up on deck the weather feels pleasantly warm, so this is where I spend the rest of the journey.

The Italian  coast eventually comes into view. From the sea the approach to Brindisi is not pretty. Power station, petrochemical works, lots of storage tanks and chimneys. A pilot boat approaches, comes alongside, and the pilot leaps onto our ferry.
We dock and disembark. No one has a clue where to go. I follow a painted walkway which leads to a passenger terminal. No indication, apart from a hopeful taxi driver, as to how to get to the town. I follow the walkway out through a big parking area towards the port gates. There are some people waiting at a tiny bus stop, and then an airport bus arrives. Centro? Si.
The bus journey is pretty uninspiring. The town looks dirty, dusty and run down. But then we pass the gateway through the old town walls and the town is transformed into a vision of Italian loveliness. I get off the bus at the station and realise that Italy is one hour behind Greece and I have about 90 minutes before I can book into my apartment, dump my heavy rucksack, have a shower before exploring the town in a more relaxed manner.

And the town looks very nice.

Lots of old buildings,

interesting piazzas, statues,

fountains, etc.
Grab a quick coffee before navigating to my flat.
Arrive to find it all locked up.

It looks very nice, doorway onto the street with a delightful looking first floor roof garden. But locked and barred. I had texted the owner earlier to say I would be there, so now I try phoning. The line is continually busy. I send further texts with Italian translations. No response. I email, I phone again. No answer.
Just before 12 I get a very brief call from owner which immediately hangs up. I dial straight back and get a very apologetic sounding woman. I try and find out, in my poor Italian, what time I can check in. After much mumbling I think we have agreed on one o'clock, so I head off to find something to eat.
Most places are still closed, we have clearly not moved into lunchtime yet. But I find a nice looking restaurant, the guy in the doorway says he'll be open in 10 minutes. Hmmm, that suggests the kitchen ain't up and running and I will have a very rushed meal and be late for my one o'clock appointment. But other places look even less ready, so I head back and order a simple pasta dish and a glass of white wine. The wine is absolutely fantastic, maybe the contrast with Greece or maybe it really is that good. As predicted the food isn't in a rush to arrive, but is on my table at 12.40. And very good it is too. Great to be back in Italy.
Get bill, pay and leave. I think I have startled the waiter with my hasty exit – probably unheard of here.
Get to my room and the padlock is off the door and Signora Migginsi is waiting for me. A conversation in my broken and her super-fluent Italian ensues as I try and tell her I am on the early train to Bologna in the morning. I think we have agreed a key exchange at the station at 7.15. What can possibly go wrong? Oh, and the roof garden? Not part of my property.
I feel much more presentable after a shave and shower, and head off for some sightseeing.

But not before washing socks etc and rigging up a washing line.

It's a great place for wandering round. Lots of little architectural details that are a bit to behold.

Randomly came across a little 11th century church with some very faded 13th and 14th century frescoes. It was very atmospheric. Also had a lovely and relaxing garden, full of the scent of jasmine.
Went round the archaeological museum, lots of interesting stuff.

As I am on holiday I also had an ice cream from a gelateria. Wandered round the old port area, watching large ship docking in restricted space. It was being shoved around by a tug boat and was interesting to watch.
Only downside is that I'm on my own. Sob sob. Would have been so good to have someone here to share this with. Back to my room for a brief rest before heading out for the evening. I need to pick up food for the morning and am determined to get some proper pizza. In all of my wanderings today I have not come across anything like a pie shop, so pick up some fresh stuffed pasta and a couple of tomatoes and hope my bedside has some pans. Have a couple of bananas as a backup plan.
Go into pizzeria.

Its an old building with vaulted and frescoes ceiling, and I am their only customer.

Cold beer and fresh pizza really hits the spot, but again aware if no-one to chat to. So back to flat to pack for morning and get an early night

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