Civitavecchia - Saturday 5 October

During breakfast, at 7 am, we watched a massive thunder and lightning storm over the port of Civitavecchia, that went on for about 45 minutes. Thank goodness we weren't depending on fine weather for today's activities.

Some passengers were completing their cruise today, others were joining us for a 7 day cruise, many were travelling into Rome for tours, but we and about 75 others had booked on a Princess Tour: 'Lake Bracciano and wine tasting'.

The torrential rain had stopped as we boarded our bus and set off to an inland area about an hour north-west of Rome. Our Tour Guide was outstanding, a very articulate and witty young Italian woman - everyone loved her. She entertained us during the hour long journey through countryside that was a bit drab. The landscape started to improve once we reached the lake.

First we had a quick photo stop, in the light drizzle, for a distant view of Castello Orsini-Odeleschi, a magnificent feudal castle that stands outside Bracciano town. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married here (so much for that)!

Lake Bracciano, a major Italian lake, is a volcanic lake, and is an important source of water for Rome. It is a popular scenic spot with Romans. We drove further around the lake to the small resort village of Anguillara. This lovely, peaceful medieval town covers a small hilly peninsula jutting into the lake. The drizzle had all but stopped and we enjoyed some free time (about 30 minutes) walking along the lovely lakeside promenade and pier. It was very picturesque, and reminded us in some ways of Akaroa.

Soon we were back on the bus and continuing to Tuscia wine country. Ross and Elizabeth will be interested to hear that we visited a local wine estate and sampled some of their vintages, and I even enjoyed it! We had an hour to enjoy some of their cured meats, cheese, olives, artichokes, and bread with olive oil, whilst sampling a selection of three white wines (two chardonnays and a sauvignon blanc), David also trying the three red wines (including two merlots). Those who were brave enough were also invited to down a grappa (not for me, but David had one and along with everyone described it as being like swallowing rocket fuel). I was already feeling quite merry from my three samples of white wines, and we bought a couple of bottles of a chardonnay at E6.50 each. We'll have to pay corkage of E15 each bottle to enjoy these in the dining room, but that'll still work out much cheaper than buying a bottle of wine off Princess's wine menu.

It was a very happy group that returned to the bus for the 45 minute drive back to the ship! Our guide will have done well from all the tips from her happy customers!

We headed for lunch, and then relaxed indoors on Deck 7, David reading, and me blogging. The weather was rather cool and gloomy, and everyone had been wearing jackets or jerseys for the first time. Towards 5 pm we were chatting with another Kiwi couple from the Whangaparoa Peninsula north of Auckland. We decided to have dinner together, so met at 6:15 pm and enjoyed a great time over our meal. Frances is a school music teacher who also works four days per week taking classroom curriculum music and school choirs (rather like Zarlene) at a local primary school.

PS - I remembered to take a photo of my dessert, flourless chocolate cake, with berries!