A late night equates to a late rise - eventually we stir - the noise rising from the street below is too much for our sleep angels to bear - we stir - what is going on? - on to the balcony - the noise? - a guide equipped with loud hailer addressing her horde of 50 or so tourists - she extols the virtues of the L'Antica Trattoria in terms that would make a food writer blush - any of her subjects will be hard pressed to resist releasing the restraints on their purse strings before their Sorrento dining days are over.
After her extended explanation of the quality of the food, the excellence of the ambiance and length of its history she moves the group along - "next we will stop at Davide's Gellateria - the best ice cream in the whole of Italy" says she - we smile - we now realise why our dear friend the poacher has so much trouble attracting his guests - Davide's and the Trattoria are owned by the same fellow! - we wonder the extent of the kickback that this guide receives but admire the marketing strategy of Trattoria!
We again wander the streets of Sorrento - we marvel at the smell of pizza ovens - the smell of lemon that drifts out of the limoncello stores - the smells of the perfumery - the smells of seafood being readied for lunchtime crowds!
We stop at the busker on Corsa Italia - Bernie must have a copy of his songs to provide a reminder of Sorrento whilst she occupies long afternoons in her studio!
Latte and pastry - watch the cat that enjoys the activity of the street from its safe retreat - watch the fat and the thin - marvel at the signature gaits of the individuals - watch the happy and the sad - the couples and the singles - listen to the busker - first traditional Italian - then Ed Sherrin - make the first serious mistake of the trip - my phone is left on the cafe table!
Wander into a store - "Buongiorno" says Bernie - "Buongiorno, come stai" he replies with a smile - he points his finger at her as she pauses trying to extract the appropriate response from her archive of Italian words - they both laugh as the archive releases and she says "molto bene grazie"
We lunch in a side alley - we wonder why we are shepherded to tables in a back corner - we soon realise - a walking tour arrives - 14 people - they seated and served in a flash - the guide turns waiter - clearly she is directly associated with the restaurant - as they finish they are told of the virtue of the evening service at the restaurant and issued cards that she hopes will guide them back - again we admire the marketing strategy of the guides and the restauranters and come to appreciate that it Sorrento they may be one and same thing.
The reality of a missing phone causes consternation - return to the Coffee shop - "Buongiorno signore" - "ti manca il tuo telefono" says the owner - a smile - relief!
The Slow Traveller's compulsory afternoon siesta is practiced - Bernie rises and proceeds to attend to the demands of her mature daughters - Italian handbags - "I'll get one for myself while I am there" says she!
Upon the handbag hunters return we head to square on the Bay of Naples - yet another wedding at the church!
Into the Pompeii exhibition - acceptable - actually it may be an advisable pre-tour visit!
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