Oh belt up!!

On the way over from  Bar to Brindisi, Colin became increasingly concerned by shedding from the fan belt. Not helped by the discovery that none of the many spares seemed to be suitable.
Sourcing one would be no problem in the day of Google I hear you think.., but alas not so... Lots of information on where to get a chihuahua but no fan belts.
We pursued many blind alleys before finding a chandler's in a nearby backstreet. The rather bored looking salesman shrugged and let out a torrent of incomprehensible Italian. Way beyond the scope of our wee phrase book. However a kind customer came to our rescue..' None here... Go to the Via Appia.'

So we wandered the backstreets and eventually found the aforementioned car parts shop. Just the job. Fitted after a lot of huffing and puffing.. Not to mention the odd expletive.

We also managed successful interaction with the police. A young man standing in shorts and a casual tee shirt smoking a cigar stood outside the police station and growled ' papers' to us. He must have noticed our doubtful looks about handing everything to us and assured us he was a true professional. Colin disappeared close on his heels onto the recesses of the police station worried that he was going to do a runner with our papers and boat!
However he emerged intact and the process concluded without further pain.
All well, papers duly stamped. We are legal again and our yellow dishcloth flag (signifying request to enter the country) can come down (yes another inspired bit of improvisation!)

The Cathedral

So thoughts about Brindisi?
It's a lovely ugly working city with the most amazing historical buildings tucked beside crummy 60s flats. Like everywhere round here, it has the combination of Roman Norman Venetian and every other period since, reflected in churches forts and public buildings.. All mashed together and shaken by periodic earthquakes.

It seems that throughout all this stormy history it has remained a working maritime town and naval base. It seems that there has not been time to prettify it, so amazing historical buildings remain neglected and in disrepair.
However it has all the flavour and bustle of a busy and authentic Italian city. There is a constant screech from swifts flying overhead, mixed with a flute quartet playing in the music school, laughing, shouting and zoom of mopeds bouncing on the cobbles. There is also an aroma of aftershave from young men walking by mixed with sun tan lotion, pizza, and exhaust fumes. Tourists are welcome but the city carries on working around them.
We went to a local bar last night. It was full of young locals with family and friends. Great kissing welcomes and babies passed around. It was relaxed and sociable.. Not quite the flavour of pubs in Swansea!

monument to the Italian sailor in the background

Beautiful via le Regina margherita is the Riva next to the boat and evening promenading takes place.. I like this.. Everyone seems to come out in the evening and stroll about.. Again its sociable and must give a cement to the local sense of community.

We discussed whether this community feel would reduce crime rates. This seems unlikely because there seem to be battalions of police in multiple forms.. All in different uniforms so far we have spotted at least 8 different types. Some with guns.. Others not.Obviously a thriving career opportunity here .