Puglia in May - Torre Guaceto Reserve

On Wednesday there's the weekly market in Fasano, so we go. There are mostly stands of clothes, household items and fruit and vegetables. We get more local vegetables including artichokes which turn out to be very good even if it's so late in the season and an absurd quantity of overripe strawberries for two euros. The smell is mouth watering.

We're a little disappointed there are no stalls with fish or cheese so we end up back at Eurospin for a ricotta.

After lunch and some work we take the first road to the Serranova exit where we park under the Meditur sign where there would normally be the official car park for the Torre Guaceto nature reserve and shuttle bus. Only it's out of season and so there's neither. It's a couple of kilometres walk to Punta Penna Grossa. The beach is much more beautiful than I expected. Crystal shallow water and soft white sand, and looking south, no sign of any buildings, just Mediterranean vegetation. 

We walk along the coast, slowly, as far as the tower which gives its name to the reserve. There's hardly anyone around, the late afternoon sun is warming despite the northerly breeze, birds are singing, we even spot some interesting flowers. I hadn't expected it to be so nice! By the time we get back to the car our is the only one left and it's getting on for seven. A beautiful afternoon.