Mt Etna

OK yesterday's photo was the ancient theatre of Taormina in north eastern Sicily. Taormina is an amazingly beautiful old town that one should put at the top of the list if visiting Sicily.

Today this bleak and desolate view is as high up Mt. Etna as we were allowed to go. The cableway started at at altitude of 1923 metres reaching an altitude of 2500m at the top point where this photo was taken. It was extremely cold up there, and due to the clouds and the degree of volcanic activity, we were unable to go any higher due to safety regulations.

This cableway has been swept away in previous eruptions. Mount Etna is the highest volcano in Europe reaching a height of 3350m. It has experienced repeated eruptions over the last few years. It dominates the island of Sicily.

The cable way shown is out of action, same as it was 8 years ago, due to current volcanic activity. It is too dangerous to use at this time.

The extra photo shows the top of the volcano shrouded in clouds.