CONTENTS
EPPING FOREST OUTDOOR GROUP
Perhaps the ultimate day on the Sicily trip was the visit to the Island of Vulcano on the 28th December - the climb up to the Gran Cratere, wading in the radioactive pool and the visit to the Valley of the Monsters. Some images of that day, plus a detailed write-up(!)
On the rim of the Gran Cratere, Vulcano Island
Our first view from the hydrofoil of Vulcano Island.
Vulcano on the left, Vulcanello on the right.Lunching on a Volcano
From lunching on a volcano to approaching a hairpin bend,
The EFOG trip to Sicily was a hoot from start to end.
When first arriving at Stansted, someone’s luggage was overweight,
A quick transfer to the two guys’ bags, soon put matters straight.
Then a slight problem with liquids put us in a stir;
But again, a transfer to a luggage-hold bag; and two hours later – in the air.
The landing at Palermo and picking up the car;
The night-time drive to Capo d’
Orlando, was bizarre.
The weirdness of Uffici - that strange place on the way;
Before we hit the Autostrada – the multi-tunnelled motorway.
Then a midnight call to our villa host, and the greeting that we got;
With plenty of chatting and oranges – but of sleep, well, not a lot.
But we got up to the sunshine - broke-fast on the patio;
And our host of the night came round early and bright, for another long hello.
We drove to the Park of Nebrodi, turned east instead of west;
Ended way up on an unmade road, but our drivers passed the test.
We walked up near the snow-line; wined at Christmas on the beach;
Rode the hydrofoil to the Aeolian Isles, where the crater was in reach.
We walked to the Valley of Monsters, missed the setting of the sun;
But whatever we did, whether right or wrong – most of it was fun.
Lunch on the Volcano!
We excursioned out to Mount Etna; were driven through the clouds;
And although a bit touristy, we didn’t mind the crowds.
We walked around in the snow-fields, had panini in a bar;
And at 6000 feet on Sicilian roads, were glad it wasn’t our car.
We celebrated New Year as the locals do, with weird-fish for the fare.
In a 30 Euro restaurant and we made the locals stare;
Singing Auld Lang Syne at Greenwich-mean time – much to the local’s concern –
They thought we’d got the hour wrong – but the mistake was obviously ther’n!
And on the last day’s drive to Palermo, drove to Tusa on the way -
Yet another siesta’d restaurant, so we didn’t bother to stay.
And like filling the car near the airport, with the cash-card that got jammed,
We were lucky to get back for our check-in, with the car not getting rammed.
But most of what happened in Sicily was memorable fun;
And the anti-Christmas holiday was pleasure to everyone.
And all the hair-pin villages, and the narrow-streeted towns;
All the closed up restaurants and Sicilian drivers’ frowns;
All the non-existent teapots, they didn’t drive us round the bend.
No, the EFOG trip to Sicily was a hoot from start to end.
Paul Ferris
It seems - in summer you need a ticket to climb the volcano -
- but it wasn't summer, though it felt like it! 
Fumeroles on the volcano
Paul on the rim of the Gran Cratere 
The Gran Cratere on the island of Vulcano.
Descending from the volcano - past the warning signs
Date Palm on Vulcanello.
After the climb, the lunch and the descent, we walked past the pleasant house of the island and a couple of us waded about in the volcanic waters of a pool that is supposed to have healing properties. Then on to the smaller island of Vulcanello, joined to Vulcano by a causeway. A 1Km walk took us to the the Valley of the Monsters. They seemed to be petrified of us! We didn't see the sunset because we had to get back to catch the ferry.
Dates on the palm
Typical peasants dwelling on the island of Vulcano.
Paul and Gill try out the healing (and radioactive) waters
Where we didn't see the sunset before catching the ferry
In the Valley of Monsters, Vulcanello............................................
