07/06/2024
So As some may know already during our trip from Veco Equense to Matera we encountered a issue with the Campers rear brakes, the pads had worn down and were metel to metal on the discs. It was too far to get to Bari in one go plus we didnt need to be at the ferry until 6pm next day so we found a Sosta just short of Bari, on the coast at a place called Capitola. It was right on the coast and after setting up the Camper we cycled off to to the beach, which was mainly rocky but had some nice little pebbly coves, we found one and were amazed at the colour and clarity of the sea. we had taken a couple of beers along with our crisps and water and we had a very enjoyable afternoon on the beach ... AND Dennis could not resist a bit of skinny dipping in that beutiful water.
On our way to the Sosta we googled motor factors in Bari and using their "contact us " page asked if the could get hold of a set of brake pads for F***y and we would pick them up next day.... they never replied but the next day we headed into Bari calling at the motor factors on the way in. OMG what a place, there were 6 to 8 guys on the phone, rushing round the shop, which by the way was a huge place under a row of shops. Now with my limited Italian and the older guy of the staff's broken english we managed to agree that I wanted rear brake pads and that even though our camper was on the year they changed design we opted for the earlier model, with the old chap saying he would change them if they were wrong ..... great I thought coz I didnt intend to change them until we got into Croatia as we didn't want to miss the ferry. However as we were driving from the shop to the port we went past a huge car park where there was car washes, cafe, toilets and it was nice and level. We doubled back and parked up in the corner out of the way and as Tina made a brew and a sandwich. I set about changing the brake pads, thinking if they were the wrong ones I could cycle back to the motor factors and change them. Thank goodness they were the right one's and it didnt take to long to get them sorted.
Off to the port and we found a road where we could park for a few hours until we had to catch the ferry and we took the chance to look around Bari, which for a port had some great places to visit. Being up early we were both a bit peckish and we stumbled across a little bar selling beer and all kinds of fish panini's, Tinas dream place as they had a very nice Rose wine on offer. We found out after chatting with the owner that she had only been open for ten days. What a great place it was, with good wine good beer and very good food, service was spot on and the prices very resonable. Well done Martinelli - Fish O'Clock
We walked back to the Camper made a brew and set of to the port only about 5 mins away. Check in was slow but straight forward, producing our booking, our passports & our vehicle documents.
We had been unable to book a cabin on what was a 10pm to 8am crossing so we decided to try and get one at check in.... It was then we were told that this "ship" does not have cabins nor does it have reclining chairs, in fact it was a down right shambles of a journey that saw Tina trying to sleep on a bench seat, me sat in an upright chair all night and people just dossing where they could. How on earth the ferry company gets away with it I dont know. There was no safety messages, announcements regarding emergency muster points and ships signal etc. I will be taking the matter further.
Some, obviousy seasonde passengers brought "blow up " air beds and slept on them in the resturant, between tables ..... What a mess
Anyway It was goodbye Italy and hello Croatia .... I'll finish there for now and let you catch up
