Ischia

Some years ago I read an article about the composer William Walton's garden on the island of Ischia and I've been wanting to visit it ever since. This month we flew to Naples and caught the ferry across to Ischia, passing other small islands en route.

Our base was in the town of Forio, in a small hotel, which I shall politely describe as quirky!

No need to wear a watch, the peel of bells from the nearby church was as regular as clockwork and delightful to hear.

 The crater of Epomeo was shrouded in cloud when we arrived

at the smallest hotel bedroom we've ever experienced.

But it was quiet and clean

and overlooked a nice patch of garden.

Everyone was out and about throughout the day

and we had the pool virtually to ourselves.

I did a great deal of lounging on the Balinese bed!

     On our first day looked around Forio.

Fancy a fancy jacket, anyone?

I was tempted!

This beautifully dilapidated building was opposite the tower. A sign on a shutter said it was for sale.

I had to go and peer through the doorway.

The floor tiles in this church were worn away with use

and the underneath of the minstrels' gallery

 decorated for those whose gaze was to the heavens.

We walked on to the Chiesa del Soccorso, overlooking  the town.

This must be a church for sailors because small model boats were perched all about on shelves and ledges.

It was nice to sit outside and catch the sea breeze

and a dramatic sky for Skywatch Friday.

On our walk back to the hotel we passed this sunbather with his dog acting as look-out.

 The gardens were hanging with datura.