Montecassino

We forgot to mention yesterday that whilst riding the treno home and when Kim tried to disembark the following happened to her!!! There is probably a reason why there is a warning.

Treno warning

Today we headed off a little bit later than usual but that doesn’t mean we slept in. Oh no, I forgot to cancel the 5.30am, yes 5.30am alarm from the day before. It gave us a little bit of time to relax as we have hit the ground running ever since we got here so it was needed. We went to Montecassino this morning which is an Abbey that sits high on the hill of Cassino. It only took an hour from here with Ruby’s assistance. The Monastery was founded by St Benedict in the year of about 529 and therefore has a lot of history. It also contains many elaborate mosaics on the walls and ceilings and the gardens were beautiful with white doves flying in and out. Within the grounds there is also a war cemetery where more than 1,000 Polish soldiers are buried.

Montecassino

Today has been another hot day over 30 and as with St. Peter’s Basilica we were not allowed to show our knees or shoulders so we wore what we had to and then changed in the car into more appropriate clothes to cope with the heat. On our journey back down the mountain to our next destination (shopping) a car rounding one of the corners flashed his lights at Kim. Having got used to the drivers over here which are quite frankly insane, we started abusing him thinking he was having a go at us for being too close to him (roads are very narrow). As we rounded the next corner we realised he was trying to warn us of oncoming bulls. Not sure where they came from or where they were going but clearly they had right of way!! Once again we were in fits of hysterical laughter at life in Italy.

Bull on winding streets of Cassino

We were told about a fashion factory outlet in Valmontone which was not far away so decided to take the opportunity to have a look around. It was huge with a children’s playground, café’s and plenty of stores that sold quality merchandise unlike DFO for the Melbourne bloggees!! We picked up a couple of things each and then headed back to our apartment to get ready to pack up for when we leave here in the morning heading for La Spezia.

Oh by the way we stopped at the Coop (supermarket) for some Vodka, some mixer and salad all for the pricely sum of 10euro!! On the way into the supermarket though we stumbled across the sign below. Can anyone tell us what it means??? 

Kangaroo sign??