the race was super: good weather, good indications, good supplies, wonderfull scenery. . the hotel Villa Esperia in Taormina: some rooms had a very bad shower (almost no water coming out, I had to hold the shower nozzle all the time in my hand, told the reception the first day but no response), and diner was verry, verry bad (not even a 1 star hotel should serve this, really bad), swimmingpool was not open (so we went to the sea). Breakfast was great, the rooms were verry clean, and the people at the reception were verry friendly. Conclussion: if it was a 2 star hotel, then only diner was not good. But at the bar they asked 4-star-prices (really bad for belgian beerdrinkers, you know). . the trip to Syracuse with Paolo was great ... he really is a good busdriver, and especially the women liked him a lot . Thank him again, from all my group! . Palermo was great, but different (you love it or you hate it, told my travelguide, and I loved it, others hated it ...) During the way back, I've talked with several people in the bus and at the plane, and they all were verry delighted and happy about this trip: also thanks to you! Thanks for that, Gabriele! A lot of them are returning next summer to spent their summerholidays, and if schoolholiday in April is good, we consider the Volcano trail, and who knows, november 2010 ... If you (or Stefano or Marcello) are interested: next weekend (15 november), there is a marathon in our town (Kasterlee, 2 rounds of 21 km, fields, along a small river, in the woods, a little bit hilly ...)

http://www.marathonkasterlee.be/ .

There's always a place in my home to stay, you know. You're all verry welcome to Tielen (and as you know, Belgian beers ...) Thanks again, and hope to see you all soon! Wim PROOST TJAK Tielen