Veer left towards Corzo The Ice Picker....

...not something I ever expected my phone to tell me, but when you are in Sicily with Jaime Lee anything can happen. We were heading to Modica for the morning when she suggested this particular move. After we stopped the car and had a good laugh we realised she meant Corso Di Ispica.

Modica is one of a  group of towns that were completely rebuilt after a 1693 earthquake hit this part of Sicily.  Over 90k dead and dozens of towns wiped out.

We parked near the uninspiring train station, near an awe inspiring viaduct, and walked in past a trash and treasure market being set up.

All the way up the main street, up the ever rising stairs to the cathedral that seems to be a wedding cake decoration, the Duomo di San Girgio, with the expected dragon, ever up to the Pizzo Belvedere with a view of the town snaking along the valley, and the locals having an animated discussion with the Police.

Then back down, down, down past Quasimodo's house- Salvatore, poet , Nobel laureate,  to Caffe Adamo where a much deserved break was organised. Pistachio all round, gelati for me, cremolatte for Marjan. Imagine fresh, sweet, nutty pistachios infused into a lovely icy/creamy confection. The pure flavour of pistachio in an ice cream. Apparently Noto ice creams are better. Impossible we say! Prove it!

There were some interesting shops.......

But the Sicilian man told me to photograph the balcony opposite...so I did...

People/car watching whilst having the ice-cream was fun. In particular the pedestrian crossing across from the Caffe which was a constant source of temptation as the only open  spot available for parking for those wanting to come and get some sweets for Sunday lunch.

Empowered by sugar we hit the trash and treasure, everything from Italian army helmets, very tempting for the boys, to full suites of furniture, to Sicilian hand made cricket bats. The whole of Modica seemed to be having a Sunday stroll. We kept seeing the same people all over town.

Eventually we felt lunch was in order. Of course we are at least 50Km from the sea here, so no seafood on the menu. None! Nada! Zilch! Pork it was, for me anyway, eggplant for Marjan, and a very tasty and varied ante pasta.

By the time we got back to the car the town was near empty, except the eateries. Everybody was eating or sleeping. Even the Lidl supermarket was near empty. Marjan says she will only drive in towns at lunch time.

......and if you think we are obsessed with food, all I have to say is "Have you met us?"