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6 November 1908 — En route to Taormina | |
Friday. 6th [November 1908]. We reached Messina abt 8 a.m. The sleeping car, baggage & post cars were taken over on the ferry boat which took us across the straights from San Giovanni to Messina. We got out of our car & got our coffee on the boat while crossing. The sleeping car goes on to Palermo so at Messina we changed into the train for Taormina arriving there about 10.30. The town is perched up on the hill & we had a steep drive up to it. Marchese Cassis met us at the station having come from Rizzolo wh is the property inherited by his wife from her father Mr Eaton. We lodged at the Hotel Timeo—close to the old Greek Theatre. The flowers were lovely. At the door of the hotel there was a big bush of plumboys in full flower—roses in profusion, geraniums, orange trees all flowering out of doors. We found very good accommodations tho’ the hotel is as yet only half open—the season having only just begun. We went to see the Greek theatre which is wonderfully placed & must have been very fine & from it the view is splendid– It is back by the sea & Mount Etna. Unfortunately it was cloudy & the mountain top was not visible. We wandered about & were not troubled by a chattering guide. At lunch we found Mr Alec Hood—at a neighbouring table. He is over from Bronté & is making gardens & building a house here. After lunch we walked about the little town & remarked that “antiquities” are sold at every other house—but there was nothing but rubbish to be seen. The place look very Eastern—as do also the inhabitants. The views are very fine—but the weather was grey. | |
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