My earliest start today. The alarm went off at 4am, so I could be at the port for 5am in order to get the 6am ferry from Valetta back to Pozzallo in Sicily.
I wasn’t very happy to wake up then. I’d just had my best sleep for a couple of weeks, but there was no option to sleep in. I had some breakfast and finished packing the bike, wheeled it to the lift and balanced it on the back wheel while pushing lift buttons. Then it was a slow process of getting out the door at the front every door is spring loaded these days. Finally out, I made my way down to the harbour and towards Valetta.
The streets were empty and very wet. Puddles everywhere. It was enjoyable just cruising along with almost no traffic in the dark. I reached a point up above the port where the road system was confusing, so I took a punt and went through a short tunnel and came out near the bus depot. I could see the ferry but I was more than 50 metres above it, so I took another punt and followed a deserted road downwards. I got really lucky as it left me very close to the port.
Virtu Ferries are really formal with their procedures and bikes and riders have to be escorted on board by a staff member. Other ferry companies simply let me queue with the cars. Irish Ferries took custody of my bike from check-in. Getting off, I was last of everybody – cars, trucks passengers and I again have to be escorted.
There was definitely a swell on today’s crossing and the surf was pounding in Pozzallo. I made my way to a familiar cafe for second breakfast before changing into sandals and shorts for the ride to Syracuse.
It was a quiet day on the roads. Although I was on a secondary road, there were still plenty of cars and trucks, most of whom were pretty good to me. The glimpses that I had of the freeway revealed far less traffic than my little road and that’s something I’ve noticed in Sicily before.
I hit the coast at Avola where I had lunch in the town square before continuing on the easy flat run to Syracuse. On the way, I clicked over 27,000 kms for the trip which is something I hadn’t thought about before starting, but I realise that’s quite a few. If I had done those kilometres in a straight ish line, I would have qualified for a round-the-workd ride long ago.
Syracuse looks great and I have two full days here to check out the ancient ruins and continue to take it easy. I’ve somehow strained a glute and have a sore hip flexor, so those days will have plenty of stretching and rest. I blame the hike-a-bike on the way to Ragusa. These aches and pains don’t really affect the riding though.
