Lunch

So I've made it back to the bus stop, where there is a cluster of souvenir shops and cafes. I've got a 2 hour wait for the bus back to Catania so I've bought lunch. I don't know what the pointy thing is called but it was very delicious.

This is the reading from the phone's pressure gauge.

And I've just realised that's why I've been a bit breathless on the way up, that and old age. Because of course 689 hPa is a very low pressure when the average, at sea level is 1016 hPa.

Snow!

Fine drizzle settled on my arm.

The view from the top of Etna.

It is blowing a gale, about 0°C, drizzling and I am wearing a very thin short sleeved shirt and a gossamer thin kagoul. I'm so cold I've got the shakes.

The long haul to the top.

I've decided to walk the last 1000 mtrs but I could have paid for a ride in the four wheel drive coach if I wasn't such a tight arse.

And onto the cable car.

The bus stop is at about 1000 mtrs and then I have to get the cable car to about 2300 mtrs.

I'm on the bus on my way to Mount Etna

This house was engulfed by the last major lava flow in 1986, according to the Saga holiday rep who was in charge of all the old codgers.
I wonder what the insurance premiums are like round here, or do they have a clause excluding volcanic activity?

And swordfish.

Fresh tuna at the fish market this morning.