Misadventure more like it. Being honest, it's been a miserable day. Waking up at 2am to be at the harbour by 3.30am (a Virtu Ferries requirement) for a 5am departure to Pozzallo wasn't a problem. Neither was the crossing with the catamaran as the sea wasn't unduly rough. However, the gentle rain which greeted my disembarkation was a prelude to a number of unpleasantnesses.

Never having been one to relish cycling or motorbiking in the rain, I certainly didn't welcome the drops which started to descend with increasing vigour. Although I was prepared for this eventuality, my rain suit decided to lose its waterproofing ability and my Gore-Tex shoes, in a show of sartorial solidarity, did likewise. The result was a 230km trip to Caltavuturo with wet jeans, damp underpants and soggy socks - my spirits were truly sinking in all this water. Another element which is in the habit of unnerving me is blustery wind. This, too, wanted to make its contribution, successfully giving me many white knuckle moments as I struggled to keep the scooter (Piaggio Fly 125) in a straight line, especially along exposed bridges, some of which were literally kilometres long, and along narrow winding climbs and descents. You can imagine my relief when nearly 7 hours later I approached my destination.

Caltavuturo

Shock number 1. The hotel "Agriturismo Mandriagiumenta", which the map on the website booking.com located as within metres of the EcoTrail della Luna start/finish, was in fact 9kms away. Incredulous, I had to double-check with a couple of other locals but they too confirmed that I had to drive out of town to reach it. In milder weather, I wouldn't have minded this misinformation so much but not today.

Agriturismo Mandriagiumenta

Shock number 2. I walk into my safe-haven and the owner (who everyone referred to as "il professore") asks how he can help. I introduce myself and say that I have a reservation for 2 nights. Yes, you can imagine what's coming next. He's evidently taken aback because he has no knowledge of my arrival. What's more, the hotel is fully booked, this being a holiday weekend. I'm left with the hard copy of a reservation which is only worth the ink and paper used to print it out. To his credit, he assessed correctly that the dismal figure standing before him needed comforting. He assured me that he'd sort something out but, a few phone calls later, I'm told that the limited accommodation facilities in town were all taken up. Not even the nuns had beds available...truly. Woeful me, awake since 2am and travelling in inclement weather for the good part of the day, only to find out that I have no room or bed to shelter or recover in. Finally, il professore, whose family home is above the agriturismo's restaurant, says that for that night I can take over his son's bedroom in his absence. For the following night, guest rooms will again be available. An hour or so later, the owner relieves me of another headache when he arranges a lift to and from the race with a participant, Pippo, who's also a resident there.

Despite these apparent glimmers, the gloom still hangs heavy like the weather and I'm really regretting having undertaken this trip. But the WeatherProHD application on my iPad did forecast sunny days for this weekend!

Related posts:

• Ecotrail della Luna - Caltavuturo: the adventure starts tonight!
• Starting from the end
• Did I say adventure?
• Day 1 - the night race
• Ecotrail della Luna - video
• Day 2 - when even experienced trail runners walk
• Overreaching.....on a Piaggio Fly 125
• Ecotrail della Luna - podium photo
• Ecotrail della Luna - the results