Note from Laura: We have a well illustrated post! Some of the photos below are from the day spent in Sorrento. All captions (and potential errors) are mine.
And now for the update:
Another pretty perfect day of sun and breezes and glorious views. It’s easy to just sit and ahhhh.
But we’re made of sterner stuff.
Kat and I hit the workout, solid cardio, some upper body–gotta keep those arms in shape!
Then we move to the grass, all four of us, for some family Tai Chi. It’s fun, goes from slow to fast enough to break a sweat, and all with those lovely views. Nothing like working out in the sunlight, in the breeze.
When we’re done BW hits the pool–and since he stays in awhile, I believe him when he says it’s a little warmer.
For me, I spend the bulk of the day sitting on the patio writing. Another lovely way to work–views and breezes.
Today’s housekeeper stops by to ask if I speak Italian. I don’t. Russian? I say (though have no idea how to spell) dosvadonya, and make her laugh.
In her little bit of English–more than my Italian or Russian–she tells me she’s actually Ukranian. And through hand gestures and a few words of Italian I recognize, she explains she likes my books. Asks if she can bring one with her when she comes next.
This is sweet, and I communicate that’s absolutely fine.
Later, while I work, I hear her and Kat communicating–mostly, Kat tells me with gestures.
A good productive day at the keyboard for me. And all this productivity deserves a bubbly adult beverage, some time with a book.
We talk about what we might do tomorrow. Pompeii, Positano? BW suggests the train to Pompeii might be shorter than the drive. I don’t do trains well either–really wish otherwise–but if it’s shorter …
We have to wait until we walk down to the village for dinner to find out the logistics, as the internet just dies here after about 9 a.m.
Down we go–and Kat has on her new dress. So pretty! We take some pictures as the clouds are smoking picturesquely over the mountains. I’m actually hauling my tablet in hopes pictures I’ve taken can be uploaded at last. Our Wifi just won’t handle it.
This restaurant is up a slope rather than down, and just opening as we arrive–about 7:30, I think. Here the waiter has no English, but we all manage to have a friendly chat anyway about food and wine choices.
Pasta and pizza once more top our list.
Kat wonders where the steep, skinny road beside the restaurant leads, so she and I decide to find out.
Seriously steep, seriously skinny–surely no on could drive on it. (Though later we find out at least scooters can and do. And in one case, a small truck.) I love the look of the old buildings that border it, those old walls, the sheer audacity and vision it must have taken–not to mention the effort–to build like this, on soaring hillsides. To make communities, plant gardens.
And we top that crazy rise, and the world just opens. If the climb hasn’t stolen your breath, the view would. All of Sorrento spread out below, some of its lights starting to flicker in the coming twilight. The rise and rise of hills, so sheer, so steep, and the houses that stack up those rises like pretty building blocks.
To the left, higher hills yet, and homes that sit right on top. The view must dazzle there every day. How could you get used to it?
The water sweeping up to the edge of the land–the city built there–then spreading out forever.
When we get back, Kat talks Jason into going back up with her, this time with a camera.
We eat, drink, talk plans again. The train won’t work, far too complicated and not shorter. We waver between Pompeii and Positano–both will get their time–then decide we all want another day at the villa, to just be.
Meanwhile, BW is looking into the possibility of a sunset cruise–for all but me. If they work this out, I’ll stand up here on my high perch and wave down at them.
We have a lovely dinner, joined toward the end by a little dog. He obviously knows his way around the place. Stretches out under a table for a bit, wanders around. I know better than to feed a dog from the table–a strict rule in my house–but . . .
I try to lure him with a tiny bit of bread. He sniffs it, turns up his nose.
As if he’d settle. No, he’s now laser focused on the table behind us, and the man with sausage on his plate. He sits and stares, stares, stares until the diner finally gives in, tosses him a bite.
Gobbled politely enough, then back to staring.
A young boy, clearly a local, laughs at the dog, talks to him–and others–just hangs out. We’d been told this is a spot for locals to eat and drink more than tourists. And most who come in seem to know one another.
We head home again, glad for the walk. And have plenty of time to see the US team win the gold in women’s gymnastics. Girls, you’re simply astonishing.
This morning’s as pretty as yesterday, though the cat hasn’t come to visit as yet. My plans are easy. Fingers crossed this goes through our shaky internet, a workout, some time at the keyboard. A lot more time today, I believe, with someone else’s book.
Kat and I think we’ll cook here. After all, we have fresh basil, lovely tomatoes–and can pick rosemary right off the bush outside.
Nora
Love love your stories! Stunning pictures! I’ve decided to put this place at the top of my bucket list!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Love your stories, we been there so i feel like Im right there with you. Thankyou for the pictures and i love your books.
Beautiful!!
Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful views.
You must do Pompeii. It was a highlight of our trip when we were in Italy 3yrs ago.
I feel like i already went there… very nice place indeed. You miss Nora Roberts is simply the best.. ????
Spectacular journey you share through photos and words. Thanks for letting all of us tag along. Waving from West Michigan!
Just wondering what you bought in the leather store? I could see the view from the narrow road by your description. You are definitely a word artist. Thanks for sharing…keep ’em coming!
Absolutely fabulous!! Keep sharing and having fun!!
Isn’t it amazing that your housekeeper recognized you from a photo on the back of one of your books? What a small world we live in! How excited she must be to meet you as a person, not a celebrity! ( I know I would be!) and how nice of you to let her intrude ( with her/your book) on your holiday! Sorrento is lovely. We’ve been for a day on several cruise stops. You make me want to stay longer!
SO enjoyable to travel through Nora’s posts and pictures! Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi (and it’s coastal views) are some of my favorite places in the world. A word about Pompeii, if you don’t mind. It is ridiculously hot and exposed and should only be undertaken in the morning or late afternoon hours….A lesson we learned the hard way with a horrid case of sunburn and a side of dehydration. Love to all of you!
How wonderful to discover your work is appreciated by others!!! How often does one get to autograph the foreign language version!
And oh the lovely descriptions of the views! So glad all of you are taking a leisured approach, and not haring off in all directions at once! Savor the moments!
Ahhhh! I really needed this. The pool was delicious and the food…That view! Lovely way to release some stress. ? Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us, it is almost like we are there! Love all of your books!!
Found it funny to see The Godfather in with the books. Don’t know how you resist all the colors and the leather! I’d be in that shop every day. The views are just incredible, thanks so much for the pictures. Considering how much trouble you have travelling, kudos for getting out there!
As always you take us to places we can’t even dream of. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing adventures.
The pictures are really cool. It’s neat to see the sights and the beauty they’re seeing
Thank you, for taking us on your vacation with you. Love your books.
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Beautiful pics.
All your pictures turned out great today. How beautiful and serene. I can smell the leather in the picture of all the leather purses. I had narrow streets in my mind, but whoa boy, those are some really narrow streets.
I admire how you and Kat exercise daily, despite being on holiday. This is very encouraging for me.
We are traveling to Italy (for the first time) with a tour group in Sept.! Thanks for these beautiful postings and pictures. Gives us insight. Now…figure out what to pack!!!
Your info and photos make me want to change my mind about traveling internationally (a strict rule I’ve adhered to since the world started getting crazy). But truthfully, I’ve been living vicariously through your travels this time and am inspired! One question I would love an answer to (Laura – perhaps you could help me here): you mention in today’s blog that you like to read “someone else’s book”. Who do you like to read? After your books, I’m a diehard John Sanford fan . . . Anyway – keep the updates and photos coming. Cheers!
Thanks a million. We are not traveling this year, but I am so enjoying tagging along with you. Your photos are the best, second only to your lovely descriptions. Those houses hugging the road are incredible. Imagine living there.
I hope you did Poisitano instead of Pompeii. I found Pompeii hot and depressing -all those people buried under tons of volcanic ash. The city just became a virtual graveyard., Whatever you do, I hope you just enjoy.
It sounds like you’re all having a wonderful time. My husband and i got married in the Cloisters in Sorrento nine years ago and spent part of our honeymoon in Positano (along with a day trip to Capri), so your posts are bringing back some wonderful memories! All the beautiful photos are making me want to plan a return trip!!
So many purses and all so cute! I can see why it would be hard to pick just one with all the bright colors. I just love the pictures of this villa you are staying in. Pompei and Positano are both wonderful. Very surreal to see the artifacts and ruins at Pompei. ?
I sincerely hope Nora snagged one of those bucket bags for me.
😉