Memories of southern Italy, 2006

In August 2006 Barbara and I spent a week in south-west Italy, where I was representing MEI as a media sponsor at the 5th International Conference for Conveying and Handling of Particulate Solids. The venue was Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples on the Amalfi Coast, so travelling to the conference provided an ideal opportunity to experience this wonderful area.

Sorrento

I knew very few people at the event, but we did manage to catch up with Richard Williams and family. At that time Richard was head of the Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering, and a Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Leeds (MEI Blog: 17th August 2015).

Richard Williams and family

The Bay of Naples is dominated by Mount Vesuvius and while walking to the summit we met our old friend Antonio Peres, of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, probably our most prolific MEI Conference participant.

With Antonio Peres at the summit of Mount Vesuvius

Vesuvius is, of course, famous for the catastrophic eruption of 75 AD which buried the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of ash and pumice. Pompeii is one of the world's most remarkable archaeological sites, as the excavated city is remarkably well preserved, and we spent a day exploring the ancient streets and building with delegates from the conference.

Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius

After the conference we had a very long day on the spectacular Amalfi coast. Due to a landslide we walked about 5 km from Positano to Praiano, and the rest of the 9 hour day involved 6 buses, but all worth it due to some wonderful scenery.

Amalfi

Amalfi

Ravello

Late afternoon on the Amalfi coast

Another memorable experience, courtesy of conference travel!

@barrywills