happy birthday to me

Beth and her choir sang me happy birthday in italian - that was a cool start to the day.  Well, yesterday, actually, so the birthday month concept is definitely gaining in strength.

We had a compulsory sleep in as breakfast is served FROM 8.30am.  Enjoyed that - also better temperature for sleeping last night, and much quieter than Bologna, so a relatively good sleep :)

The rain kept on somewhat overnight but today was almost cloudless, super blue and lovely.  Mid-twenties I'm guessing.

It's pretty nice here...

We bought our Cinque Terre tickets and train hopped from place to place, seeing beaches, boats, cafes (of course) and lots of amazing views to gawp at through the throngs of visitors that are everywhere like plague.

Also, lots of generally sitting and enjoying and contemplating the loveliness of it all.

We had delicious seafood and pasta for lunch at Manarola and, barely hungry, very tasty pizzas for dinner back here at Levanto - according to Valeria, our host, the 3 Arches does the best pizza in town - and who are we to argue?  I would certainly go back (if we weren't off to Florence quite soon).

Birthday lunch

We had our best seafood so far last night at La Rino (also Levanto) - might go back tomorrow.  This is our shortest stop so we are trying to make the most of it.  

There are huge numbers of people here visiting Cinque Terre - goodness knows what it's like at the height of summer.  It's officially still shoulder season at the moment - with a number of places not open til June - although we have plenty of options here in Levanto.

Beach selfie with Geoffrey, Riomaggiore

Finished the day with a spot of geocaching.  Turns out there was one conveniently located at the church just round the corner from our digs.  Nice.  So far we've managed to knock at least one off at each place we've been: Rome, Venice, Bologna, Levanto (in case you've forgotten).  It's a travel momento that is both cool and geeky.  Well, at least one of those... but it's my birthday, so let's stick with both.

Church round the corner, San Andrea

Tomorrow we plan to take to the sea and go to Monterosso Al Mare.  It has quite a beach - so if it's as warm as today I may jump into the Med and swim.  We will see.

Anyway, so far, 46 is pretty ok.  Thanks for the various bday wishes.  It's been a good one.