Piatto di frutti di mare

After the rather upsetting day yesterday we decided to spend today at the sea and the pool. It was a lovely contrast to the heat and dust of yesterday. I love swimming in the sea and of course here it is almost as warm as a bath. We were in the water for over an hour and James was diving in from the top of the steps; I love to see him so happy and relaxed. 

We were chatting to a very pleasant couple from Philadelphia and they recommended dining at the Marina Grande. This is a part of Sorrento which we had not discovered - even though this is our second visit and Sorrento is quite a small town! 

I love that our beautiful Hotel Grand Royal overlooks the main ferry harbour because we can watch the boats coming and going all day, and it had never occurred to me that there might be another, older harbour. 

So after a delightful day of swimming and reading, we set off in the early evening for the Marina Grande, only about fifteen minutes walk from our hotel, past the busy shopping and dining streets, down a wee road, through an archway in what was the old city wall, and finally down a set of steps. Wow! It’s absolutely beautiful, lined with little seafood restaurants. On the recommendation of Mr and Mrs Philadelphia we chose the Trattoria Emilia and we were given a lovely wee table for two right beside the water. Sophia Loren dined here in 1954, while making a film called “Pani Amore e …”

waited on by a very young Emelia. I enjoyed my aubergines and ravioli, and James ate a large amount of seafood that would have made Tom cat very jealous. In fact there was a tabby cat near our table who was watching us very intently for a while! 

After dinner we strolled back through the town to our hotel where we had drinks on the terrace. Even at 10.30 p.m. there was no need for a cardigan or jacket, it was so warm.