Robert Johnson's Posts

It was said that this cave had mystical powers enabling Dionysius to hear every word whispered by his slaves and prisoners. Had he been standing outside today he would have had little trouble overhearing Mark and I. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #ParcoArcheologico #cave #quarry #dionysius #atmosphere #echoe

Those Greeks had foresight. Not only did they construct a giant amphitheatre on the outskirts of Siracusa, capable of accommodating five thousand people, but they also built it with Mark's and my accessibility in mind too - well, sort of. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #ParcoArcheologico #greek #amphitheatre #remains #steps

After a long wander around Altigia K met up with Mark for some breakfast. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #altigia #ISantiCromati #breakfast #hotel

I continue my walk around the outside of the island of Altigia in Siracusa. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #altigia #walk #atmosphere

My exploration pays off when I successfully find the sea. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #altigia #morning #walk #sea #coast #waves

In Siracusa we stayed on the island of Altigia, and early on our first full day there I set out alone to explore. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #siracusa #syracuse #altigia #walk #explore

Catania station wasn't exactly rammed with trains or passengers yet somehow proved something of a challenge to use. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #catania #station #navigation #information

Seated comfortably on one of Sicily's modern, air conditioned regional trains Mark and I reflect on the day's travels from Agrigento on the southwest coast to Palermo in the north, and from there south and east to Catania. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #palermo #enna #catania #siracusa #syracuse #railway #experience #modern #accessible #airconditioned #pleasant

I enjoy breakfast on the garden terrace whilst fussing Leon the hotel dog. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #VillaSanMarco #breakfast #terrace #garden #temple #leon #valley

We come towards the end of our odyssey through the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #valley #temples #zeus #jupiter #walk

A chorus of bells jingling adjacent to the main path through Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #valley #temples #atmosphere #goat

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, and in Agrigento Mark and I did little to banish that stereotype. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #valley qqtemple #preserve #walk #heat #irreverent

I leave Mark in our room and enjoy a morning pre-breakfast swim in a pool with a view of a Greek temple. Could life be better? #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #VillaSanMarco #hotel #agrigento #swim #pool #temple #brioche #breakfast #friendly #family #welcome

I recap our adventure so far, from the balcony of our room at the Villa San Marco, and Mark pretends that it isn't morning yet. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #agrigento #temples #valley #SanMarco #morning #awaken #pool #view

We arrive in Palermo spot on time, and promptly leave again. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #palermo #sleeper #station #modern #regional #announcement #airconditioned

Having been shunted aboard the ship on our sleeper train from Milan to Palermo I climb up on deck to take in the view of the Messina Straits. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #trainferry #messina #deck #sea #crossing

The astute amongst my listeners may have noted a potential flaw in my plans to travel from London to Agrigento all the way by train - namely the three miles of water separating Sicily from mainland Italy, uncrossed by bridge or tunnel. Fear not however, your intrepid adventurers were not thwarted by this apparently insurmountable obstacle, owing to the existence of one of Europe's last surviving operational train ferry connections. On leaving the final mainline station our sleeper train was shunted back and forth until it had been split into three pieces and stabled in the vehicle deck of a ferry which then proceeded to cross the straits of Messina. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #ferry #train #trainferry #boattrain #board #embark #messina #crossing

Breakfast is finally offered and Mark turns out not to be. Dead after all. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #sleeper #morning

I awake from an excellent sleep and enjoy the sea views from my private window. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #sleeper #sleep #view

Some way past Pisa I settle into my berth and enjoy the rhythmical sounds of our sleeper train speeding through the night. #sicily2015 #sicily #holiday #railway #train #journey #VisuallyImpaired #blind #independent #august #2015 #sleeper #milan #palermo #pisa #ICNotte #compartment #atmosphere #sounds