Wil's 12th Birthday, Noto

3/11 WIL’S 12TH BIRTHDAY

A quiet night, a great sleep, then a 10BX (Jeff hurts bad trying to keep up with Jen), Kel does some too.

Wil only woken by Kel & us at 0745, the best birthday sleep in he recalls - surely a sign of age.

Brekkie of cereal & ham n smoked bocconcini cheese rolls as the phone calls, e-mails and texts from family rolled in.

No school today, instead the priorities have us drive to Noto for best ice-cream in the world x 2 - the Lonely Planet says it’s the best gelato in Italy, so we reckon that makes it world best!  They recommend to shops.

We find ourselves in a beautiful Baroque town - the honey coloured sandstone a standout feature, especially against the bluest of skies.  Wandered among the Saturday strollers - the young couples splendidly clad in the latest fashion, the families with their indulged offspring, well cushioned, 1 riding an electric mini Ducati with trainer wheels, the dapper older gents (jacket and tie) moving arm in arm chatting in an animated and amorous way, breaking their arm locks regularly to gesticulate, doing that signature Italian gesture in which they shrug their shoulders up and inward and extend their upturned palms as if to say “that’s the way it is, what can you do?!” 

The town (the part we saw) was very well kept, no litter and the baroque stone buildings were sparklingly clean.  Apparently it’s only a young town having been completely rebuilt after a decimating earthquake, in the 1600’s!  It’s only about 100 yrs older than white Australia.

We found the 1^st Lonely Planet Gelateria and had a 3 scooper, and it was the very best!  The dense dark chocolate is pocked with orange rind, the pistachio is ½ nuts, the ricotta, the ginger almond, the lemon is enough!!!  Sat on the steps of the cathedral enjoying our treat for Wil’s birthday, establishing our degrees of Gelati Relatedness (Jen as usual is not related to any of us) and agreed that after a short wander we would find the other Gelateria and have a crack at it.

It was a very short wander but we were up to the challenge - but only a 2 scooper this time.  And again, it was heavenly - the Mandarin, the strawberry, the yoghurty one.

1.5 hours drive on past Ragusa (plan to return here) and the plastic farms partitioned with stone wall,

to the beachside campsite “Luminosa” in the town of San Croce Camerina, recommended by our French Canadian friends Jacques and Simone.  There we found a white sandy beach, looking southwest across the calm Mediterranean, scanning earnestly for a glimpse of Africa - must be too far away.  The kids got to work in the sand, the parents had a coffee and a chat and a wander around the headland, and the sun headed towards the horizon amping the colours for our special pleasure.

Much needed hot showers and a dress up (how novel!) before we head out in Ed to complete the boy’s special day - Pizza at local “Holiday Pizza” by the sea.  Opted for the takeaway and sat on the seawall enjoying the sounds and smells of the sea and the grand tastes of the Neapolitan and Capriciosa.

Back “home” Wil and Kel enjoyed watching his Leonardo Di Vinci DVD and then we all read ourselves to sleep, content that we’d made the best of Wil’s 12^th Compleanno. 

¥ Thanks μ

What is a Birthday?
To some, a birthday is a day on which to fill up to fat. To others, a birthday is a day on which to acquire some great presents.
Maybe it is a day to try new food, or to be with one’s family, or to see a lovely place, or to see your family happy
But to everyone, a birthday is a day on which to progress to new heights, to become a year older. For me, it was all of those things.
A day for 5 scoops of gelato, a huge pizza and a great breakfast.
A day on which I got some awesome presents. A day when I was given a too-small belt, but it fitted Kel. I was given new responsibilities.
It made me smile to see you happy. Thankyou for that special day...
3/11/2012

Me
12 year old Me
Wilsen Conn, A happy Soul in Eddie