Puglia - Daunia in September - Manfredonia

Manfredonia Tuesday

We have moved on to our next accommodation which is actually in the municipality of Monte Sant'Angelo but much closer to Manfredonia. The drive from Vieste is panoramic 

but a little nerve-wracking as usual. The apartment is an agricultural building among the olive groves that has been turned into holiday accommodation but I'm not impressed. Outside the veranda area is very nice and there would be a view of the sea if it weren't for some citrus trees which block all but a sliver. But there are too many tiger mosquitoes to make the place relaxing. And inside, well, it's a bit old-fashioned and not exceptionally clean, although the embroidered sheets are nice. And oh yes, the mosquitoes bite even more enthusiastically inside, although not at night, fortunately.

Never mind, it's near the Santa Restituta market where we can stock up on fish and fruit and vegetables. We've been there several times and are always fascinated by the big choice and cheap prices of local goods. Just a local market for local people....lucky them to be able to buy fresh food at such cheap prices. We get fish, especially pesce luccio di mare and octopus, green beans and a selection of fruit, some pears, plums, plenty of grapes and the local 'loti' a sort of mixture between a persimmon and an apple.

Later on in the afternoon we drive to Manfredonia and park on the quiet sea front. We have a stroll around and a surprisingly good ice-cream at Tommasino. The Sicilian Cassata flavour has actual pieces of chocolate and candied fruit. Manfredonia is quiet on this late September afternoon and it makes for a pleasant stroll. 

Our last stop of the day is for mundane shopping at the Centro Commerciale, before octopus for supper. The ones you buy in Puglia are the best you can find anywhere, of the three I got from the market I do two boiled gently for "salad" and the other one stews in its own juice with some of the last cherry and date tomatoes. Delicious.