Monday 7th September 2026

Reasonable night’s sleep. Got up and made tea before abluting. Walked into the city centre to meet up with Shelly and Kim for coffee at 0930. Half the cafes were closed. Walked across town, zigzagging our way to the Norman Palace near the west gate, where we met up with Anya outside the ticket office. Tony and Judy, Kim’s and Shelly's chums from north London, were in the queue. 

We filed in, glad to get the benefit of some air conditioning! Shelly and Judy were forced to wear the in house robes to cover shoulders before entering the Palatine Chapel. Judy managed to rip hers just getting into it. We queued for the Palatine Chapel…commissioned in the mid 12th Century by the Norman ruler, Roger II…the multicoloured mosaic walls, with lots of gold leaf, were stunning, beneath an intricate honeycomb ceiling. Managed an ice-cream break in the cafe, courtesy of the very generous Tony, before meandering through the Royal Apartments. Parts of that wing are evidently used by local government for meetings and assemblies. 

Ventured back out into the midday sun, Tony and Judy having taken their leave to head for Messina. Found a nice little Sicilian restaurant for lunch...I had stuffed rolled sardines. Ambled across the square to take a look inside the cathedral. It's huge, and include the sarcophagi of Roger II himself, and a couple of family members. There's also a magnificent chapel dedicated to Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of the city...lots of intricate silverware; somewhere inside of which there's a bit of her foot or something. 

Guided the girls back to the accommodation via La Capo, which was evidently winding down. Had a rest before heading out for dinner. Had arranged to meet Shelly in Garibaldi Gardens, as someone had mentioned there were plenty of eateries in square around the garden. Zigzagged our way across town once more, taking in Lampedusa's birthplace, now a block of well-heeled apartments. Bumped into Shelly come back the other way...she hadn't been very impressed with the eateries near the square. Aki and I decided to soldier on to take a look at the magnificent banyan trees in the Gardens, and take a peek at the final residence of Lampedusa...not much to see...another big, dark stuccoed block near the sea. 

Walked back toward town and hooked up with Shelly, Kim, and Anja at a very nice little restaurant in a quiet piazza. Still too full from Sunday's jaunt to contemplate ending the meal with a tiramisu! Zigzagged our way back to our rooms, suitably exhausted!