WRINKLY HOLIDAY TO

MONDELLO, SICILY

7^th to 15^th September 2007

For me, and I am sure many others in our party, this last Wrinkly Holiday to Sicily was very different from the rest. The idea to visit Sicily was first conceived nearly two years ago. Boss Wrinkly, together with Roz Jolly and partner, Mario, got together to organise the trip. Mario is Sicilian by birth and knew of a friendly, family run hotel in Mondello. Both he and Roz has stayed there several times and highly recommended it.

We set off for Stansted Airport at 10 pm on Friday, 7^th September using Coastline Coaches. It was a long, tiring journey and I, for one, was not very comfortable at all. Needless to say, John, not wanting us to get too bored/comfortable, handed out four pages of one of his infamous Quiz’s – Ugh! At least he said we had most of the holiday to complete it – haven’t we got better things to do John? I was so relieved when the airport came into view. Here we had another, not too long, wait for our flight to Palermo, Sicily, aboard a Ryanair flight. This flight passed fairly quickly and we were soon descending the steps into glorious Italian sunshine. Yes, this is what we had come for!

It was at this point that Mario took over as Group Leader thus giving our Boss Wrinkly a well deserved rest and time for himself to enjoy the holiday ahead. A bus to the hotel was waiting for us and, in about ½ hour we arrived at the Hotel Conchiglia D’Oro in Mondello. Incidentally, Santa Rosalia is the patron saint of Palermo. It seems appropriate that one of our guides was called Roz.

My first impressions were very pleasing. The hotel sat back from the main roads and was surrounded by leafy trees and gloriously vibrant, floral shrubs. The majority of the staff did not speak English very well but were extremely helpful and pleasant all the same. This is where Mario stepped in and, very soon, everyone, except Peter and I, were allotted their room keys and went to unpack and settle in. Our room was still being cleaned from the previous occupant but it was lovely just sitting by the pool, sipping free fruit cocktails and cakes which has been provided for our arrival. This hotel has not been spoiled by tourism and has kept its natural charm and culture.

Once in our room, which was on the second floor overlooking the pool area, I got to work unpacking and making it our home for the week. It had everything we needed, was very clean but the TV was only in Italian!! Other rooms, I believe, could get at least the CNN channel. Oh well, I didn’t come all this way to watch TV did I? The views out over the hills were much more interesting.

We had missed a night’s sleep and it was now beginning to take effect. At 7.30pm, their time, we went down for our evening meal. The food reflected the Italian characteristics being mainly salads, pasta and fish based. Good enough for me. Mario once more stepped in with assisting the head waiter to make sure we all understood what we were ordering. Peter and I enjoyed every meal though some were more to our taste than others. The service was excellent and, looking around the dining room, our party formed the major part of the guest list. Tonight had to be an ‘early to bed’ one to try and catch up on the night we had missed. Needless to say some of our party still found the energy to party on….. Pam and John were starting off the ‘Whiteman Cup’ qualifier.

Sunday

Once awake, and now much refreshed, we were ready to start exploring the area. After a continental breakfast, we packed the rucksack with essentials and set off. Peter and I walked round the area at the back of the hotel which consisted of main, local roads and local shops and then turned back and ventured towards the beach area. Here we met up with Les, Brenda, Doug, Dot, Elizabeth and Tony for a cool drink. After this Peter and I continued along the promenade and met up with another group, Peter’s brothers and wives, and had lunch in a small beach side restaurant. We then walked further along and met up with John, Pam, Brian and Janet and had a much need cold beer. (Does this pattern sound familiar?) On our return to the hotel Peter went down for a swim and I slept again – wonderful!!!!

After the evening meal John W. decided to do the answers to the first two pages of his Quiz. (Note the change of rules!!!) I thought he was just going through the questions but, Oh No – answers as well! This man has no compunction in changing the rules! (Yellow Card John!!!) During this episode, I’m afraid, John’s management skills went astray as members shouted out, complained and contradicted the answers. I must admit, what John allowed for some answers as a similarity, he banned for others. Very dodgy! (Red Card John!) The worthy winner for the first two pages were Dave and Chris with 30½ points out of, (I think), 60. As they won I won’t object to the results. There was no way Peter and I had a hope! The prize was a 2004, 50p coin minted in memory of the first four minute mile. Well done you two!

Monday

Today, twenty nine of us set off on a coach trip to Palermo. This coach was the gold coach used by the Palermo Football team and was driven by a lovely man called Paulo. Mario was our tour guide and knew everything there was to know about the region. His dialogue was clear and witty, skillfully assisted by Roz of course, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

First we did the city tour where we took in a visit to the Catacombs. This was a rather gruesome, though moving, experience and very intriguing in its own way. The visit was lightened by certain ‘off the cuff’ comments by our own group. For instance, as the Catacombs consisted of rows and rows of underground tunnels, at one point Pam, looking for a way out came up with, “I think this is a dead end!” They were all dead Pam, honest!

Les was really amazed with all the skeletons and even came up with the remark: “He’s got more teeth than me!”

Someone, and I shall not mention names for fear of reprisal, thought that one of them looked like our esteemed Chairman Dave Waywell – sorry Dave. Derek, who has been suffering a running injury, commented that he might find a spare toe joint! All in all it was a very unusual experience. There was one baby girl who looked as if she was just asleep and in perfect condition. This was due to a secret embalming performed on her. The person who did this took the secret to his grave and thus missed out on the process for himself. Mario said that if he dies first he would want Roz to go on top – thinking of Sicily! The adjoining graveyard was also worth a visit and the tombs were magnificent in their structure and content. Some could almost classed as small houses. The Italian’s have, and show, great respect for their dead which I thought extremely commendable.

Driving through Palermo was absolutely mad!! Horns were blaring, and scooters, like ants, darting in and out between cars and busses – no waiting to give way! No traffic lights or police to regulate the traffic – absolutely mad! We soon worked out that the horn blaring was some sort of signal but, whatever it was, it did work – well kind of!

The city is huge, (over 1 million residents), and changes from the poor to the magnificent - ‘building wise’. We walked round an open market of fresh fruits, meats, and fish. I saw fruits I had never seen for sale before such as the prickly pear, (fruit of the cactus plant), and a pink and white pea pod, (what that was is anyone’s guess but Mario will know I’m sure.) The melons and squashes were huge and plentiful and the atmosphere electric with traders pedaling their wares.

We had lunch at a small café run by a relative of Mario’s, (he seemed to know someone where ever we went). The Panini’s were delicious though, to describe how we ate them wouldn’t sound so idyllic. We were sat in a roadside gutter, red carpeted with a neat tablecloth and wet washing hanging out overhead!!! Having said that it was one of the most enjoyable lunch time meals we had during our holiday.

Onwards then to the mountains to visit Monreale Castellaccio Castle, San Martino Abbey Monreale. Roz had gone to a lot of trouble providing information sheets for each place of interest and, “Oh No!” she had her own Quiz!!! Roz’s quiz was much harder than Johns as it took in a lot of Italian history and information. Being new to the country, most of us were a bit lacking in the facts. Still, we had time in which to complete it.

We set off back to Mondello on the mountain road which took us up to a shrine of Saint Rosalie set on the top of, and into the side of, Mount Pellegrino. On the top the heaven’s opened with an enormous crack of thunder and the rain ran like rivers down the road. Most of the party bravely ventured out to visit the shrine of Santa Rosalia which was a short climb but I stayed in the coach. I ventured out at one point to buy a drink from a stall and saw that our coach was having difficulty maneuvering round to go back down the road. There was a bill board placed in the road and I promptly removed it so he could turn round. I got a “Grazi Senora” and then he set off down the road leaving me behind!!! The cheek of it!!!

After a very full and enjoyable day we arrived back at the hotel at 5.30pm to rest, shower and change for the evening. As there were no handy, local bars, most evening were spent in the hotel bar.

Tuesday

This was a day to ourselves and Peter and I went for along walk on the sea front. The weather was glorious again and we walked as far as we could. At one point, out of curiosity, we tried a prickly pear. They are reputed to be very spiny but I couldn’t see any – big mistake! I picked two and split them open. However, the hair like spines dug into my fingers. It took quite a while for the ‘prickly’ sensation to go away – lesson well and truly learnt! The taste of the fruit though, (something like a passion fruit inside to look at), was so worth it – they were both tasty and refreshing, especially as we were out in the open at the time and it was 30+!! Just before the evening meal John, Pam and Janet presented me with an enormous pine cone as they knew I collected them – next stop getting it through customs. Thanks guys its fantastic and, to be sure, the largest of my collection.

Wednesday

Today was the trip to Mount Etna and we had an early start at 6.15am. On our arrival the clouds came down and it felt cold and damp. Nineteen of our party made the trip, (chairlift and 4 x 4), to the crater. I was a little disappointed as I understood only a few were going and, those that were, had said they would not go up if it meant keeping the rest of the party waiting. Therefore I decided not to make the trip. However, when we arrived, nineteen of our party set of for the top!!! I felt a bit cheated as I couldn’t make the trip now not having the right, (warm), clothing. Those not making the trip took up the time going round the local souvenir shops and drinking hot chocolate and coffee. The tour party returned in about two hours but poor Les had left his rucksack at the top. I know how bad he felt but come on, it could have happened to anyone. It was sent down on the next chairlift and we were off. Roz now marked her Quiz and Peter and I scored a miserable 6½ out of 34. Alison Chapman won with 22/34 and received a bottle of wine at dinner that evening. Well done Alison.

We were now on our way to Taormina which was a beautiful town set high on a coastal hill. Now I was so impressed with this place that I obtained their website link which is: http://www.taormina.it/old/default.htm This was a place I could have spent a lot more time at. It was beautiful. The shops were a shopaholic’s paradise, expensive though, and the views were magnificent. The square was a buzz of tourists enjoying the sunshine, glorious views and the musicians ringing out the songs of Italy – ‘Volari’ and similar Italian melodies. Old majestic buildings, beautiful flowers and magnificent views. The place even had its own amphitheatre so there was literally something for everyone here. Time was at a premium though and we didn’t see everything but I would love to visit it again.

It was a long tiring journey back and we were whisked into the dining room for evening meal as we were on the last minute. After this I was so ready for a hot shower and an early night after such an early start and also because I had promised Alison that I would join her walking group at 8am the next morning – I must be mad!!! But “Hey”, if the rest can do it I will always give it a go.

Thursday

It was an early start with the walk which, in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed. We took in the local market setting up its stalls and made mental notes to come back again later. The ‘girls’ who went on this walk with me were Alison, Maureen, Dorothy, Brenda W and Elizabeth. We had a good ¾ hour walk and the temperature, though warm, was very pleasant. Thanks Alison.

The rest of the day was spent wandering round the local market where I bought two lovely babygros for the new babies in my life: one for Thomas Waywell and another for my own new grandchild, yet to arrive in December.

After the evening meal we had the finals of John’s last two pages of his Quiz and Roz’s Second Quiz.

Winner of the Quiz was Reg with 23/30.

Winner of Roz’s second Quiz – John and Pam 18/30.

I must mention here, just to keep face, that Peter and I came a close second in John’s quiz with 22/30 and I was right proud of myself. The Quiz’s caused quite a lot of controversy, especially John’s, as there were questions which were slightly ambiguous. Roz’s quiz again was much harder but gave us a lot of knowledge of Sicily. All in all a lot of good fun was had by all.

Friday

Today our 19 of our party set off in two mini busses to visit Cefalu, a lovely town with both old and new together. As this was not a full compliment of Wrinklys we travelled in two mini busses – Mario was taking charge of one and Dave Young taking charge of the other. Dave had done some homework so that he could tell us where we were going and what we were seeing. We dined in a restaurant overlooking the sea and it was a relief to get into the shade. We walked round the Cathedral enjoying all the wonderful paintings, visited a local Roman wash house, and the local Ladies Toilet which was, well ‘just to die for’ I suppose. It was, to say the least, a boudoir rather than a loo!!! Fresh flowers everywhere, paintings and gleaming tiles – yes, this was definitely the way to do it!! (No pun intended!)

On our return some of our party, including myself, wanted to visit the Cathedral in Palermo so Mario separated the parted and our group set off to do just that. I was really grateful for this experience for it was well worth it. This cathedral seemed different from all the rest. The altar was in brilliant silver. It was not as ornate as others we had visited but, to me, much more dignified and imposing.

Tonight, the hotel presented an outdoor Sicilian Night for our party and well, you really had to be there to believe it! The buffet meal was nothing short of fantastic. The food was mouthwatering; the waiters thoroughly enjoying themselves got a round of applause. Mario and Roz have certainly made this holiday the exceptional experience it has been.

During the evening a nephew of Mario’s, Vitellaro Giuseppe, was presented with an Accrington Stanley Shirt which he promptly showed off to everyone. I have promised to send them a WRR Magazine in December when this report goes to print. You can see by the photograph that these Sicilians are certainly very handsome aren’t they? (Well girls, I have his address if you want it – I’ve never been known to miss an opportunity!) The wine was free flowing all evening and I certainly had my share!! How was I going to get up in time for the return journey tomorrow I didn’t know and, at that point, I didn’t really care!!!!

Saturday

Up bright and early at 6.15am, not so ‘bushy tailed’ though. I managed a bit of breakfast and we were soon on our way to the airport. We boarded on time and were soon back in the UK.

I love going away but the sight of my front door on our return is wonderful. Of course, we ladies have all the washing and ironing to do and I had a magazine to produce within the fortnight!! Ah well, it was worth it.

Again John and Pam many thanks for a brilliant holiday. You were somewhat demoted this holiday as Mario was Boss for the duration of our stay. (Incidentally Mario kept referring to the Mafia – does that mean ------ no, he couldn’t be, could he? Still we did get priority treatment when he was around.) I hope that John and Pam were able to relax more this time and enjoy the holiday without having to worry about us lot as they so deserve it.

The next planned holiday is to Majorca in May 2008, that is, of course, unless anything else crops up first. You can’t keep us Wrinklys down for long.

Being a Wrinkly does not mean you have to give up on life – just the opposite. You have more time without worrying about ‘time’. So, how about it – can we include you next time?

Written by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

Submitted: 30^th September 2007

Edited (in fear of repercussions) by: Peter Earnshaw