David's Diary: Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Exploring Santa Maria di Leuca

Since arriving in Santa Maria di Leuca we have been doing school. For recess the children have a new game. They hang in the boson's chair from the spinnaker halyard and swing around the front of the boat. Down below, Dragonsinger rocks from side-to-side, but it keeps the children active and entertained.

Mussolini's Steps

After school today we set off to explore more of Santa Maria di Leuca. Behind the harbour are a series of steps built by Mussolini. We climbed them and enjoyed the view over the harbour.

Church

There was a lovely church at the top of the steps. We stepped into its cool interior and took in the light coloured walls and altar. It is long past the tourist season in Santa Maria di Leuca, so we were all by ourselves as we poked around the side chapels.

Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse

Outside the church stands an imposing lighthouse. On our first trip around the boot of Italy in July we had used the light to guide us through the night. We next walked down the road and into town where we looked at the buildings and stocked up on groceries before heading back to Dragonsinger on the outer quay.