A Saturday of dolce far niente

On Saturday we wake late to face a crowded breakfast room full of tempting delicacies, freshly squeezed blood orange juice at the healthier end of the spectrum, with moist almond and chocolate cakes at the other, more sinful, end. Victor has coffee with us and then goes for a shower. We step outside to admire the hotel facade

and the coast promedade in both directions. It is warm and spring-like.

Oswaldo reads the Corriere della Sera,

and when Victor is ready, we head out in the sun - first towards the Diana fountain on the Piazza Archimede

behind which is a museum dedicated to one of the greatest mathematicians in the world (says Oswaldo). We wander on in the direction of the Duomo

and then follow the sea around the tip of the island

until it's time for a snack.

Then we go to the Archimedes museum, which is interestingly hands-on, and where Oswaldo and Victor have a field day.

In my time math classes stopped when you entered high school to study languages, so all of this, unfortunately, means little to me, although I do recognize the π sign! Oswaldo tells us many heroic Archimedes stories. He apparently conceived how to fortify the island against the Roman invadors, but was himself killed by a Roman soldier, when he was in his 70s. The soldier had no idea who was his victim.

We rush to have an elegant lunch at Don Camillo, but it is late and although they swear there's time to eat, they are anxious for us to go. In addition I have discovered a pear in my bag has smothered everything in pearjuice and wilted peel, so I have to take everything out and clean it. The lunch is OK - no more than that - but we do enjoy a lovely Cometa white from the Planeta estate.

After lunch we head down the fashionable Corso Matteotti, where Victor and I manage to find some great bargains - most importantly the black patent wingtip Dolcis, which have been waiting for Victor at a modest 100 euros. All set for the weddings now! Then we head home - exhausted - and never move again. Victor has providentially bought some very thinly sliced ham, sun-dried tomatoes, and a fresh mozzarella, and eats his meal with gusto, sitting in our room, jiggling his knee ;)