Late Afternoon

The late afternoon sun called to us, and evidently the call was irresistible, as on with shoes and off we strolled again.

This time into the immediate woodland. There are a few tracks leading off from our clearing. The one chosen at random was a very attractive walk. Possible they all are - we'll find out in the next few days.

The sunlight through the trees, gnarled trunks and roots, fungi clinging to old wood, golden leaves already dropped on to the path, ...the blackberries we picked and ate - delicious!! ...all very tranquil.

Reluctantly we turned for 'home' ...but the sun was sinking lower in the sky.

Back at the tower we sat on the steps and watched the day end. With the end came many bird calls, a squirrel or three scampering for home, sounds of cattle in the distance, and a solitary hoot of an owl.

The sky changed, the air grew cooler ...

...and guess who cooked the dinner??!!!

The Last Few Days

It was a long day getting back to London from Stresa and Milan. The good news is - we did!!!
Even got an upgrade at Heathrow Hilton, so enjoyed the exec lounge, and all that.

Then picked up a car ....that was a process too. We HAD booked 2 months ago! ...but after waiting an age, with them telling us they had cars 3 times up from our order, and us not wanting to pay any extra - they gave us a car 3 times up for no extra cost!!

Great. We could drive North.

That was a reasonably long day too, but the Hunting Tower at Chatsworth at the end of the drive, was a super ending!!

At Chatsworth, the Hunting Tower

Was REALLY tired after travelling back from Stresa ...Then travelling by car yesterday to get to Chatsworth ..But exploring/getting settled in the Hunting Tower was so much fun.  (Not to mention hard work on the legs) It is worth it....

It is truly one of a kind and is FANTASTIC!!

Drive to the top end of the carpark, use the remote 'gizmo' to open the white gate, drive over the cattle grid and wind up, up and more up. High up through the woods and in it's own little clearing is The Tower.

... in a superlative position, fabulous views ...so quiet ...hear the owls etc. SO well set up.

Enter at the kitchen. One floor down is a bedroom and ensuite with shower, beds - 2 singles. Beautifully set up, even lounge chairs. Love the watercolour paintings on the walls in here.


One floor UP from kitchen is the lounge ...it's a challenge, but we have had coffee up there several times already.

Another floor up is the bedroom with ensuite toilet and basin in one turret ...a bath in another turret! (fabulous) ...a little writing desk and a table mirror in the 3rd turret ...and of course the stair well in the 4th.

 

Bed is 4 poster ...and VERY comfy.

Up one more floor !!!! and you can go out on the roof. I think we'll feel our upper thighs like never before!, but it's worth it!

Went to bed tired and really early last night, and this morning had a walk in the estate down by the river and lake with no-one around. Quite cool, lots of people arriving for work here ....we were told by one friendly chap that there are 16 tour buses arriving  - mostly before 11 am !!We HAVE walked too much today, more than 4 km. It's such a beautiful day, and not only decided to walk this morning while the fog was still hanging in the valley and everything looked smudgely lovely...

... another coffee and we went down to visit the shop. (We drive down the hill through the woods - it's about a mile - too hard to get back up if we did go down.) Then we decided to splash out this once and had lunch at the Carriage House Restaurant.  Delicious, elegant, big white linen napkins... lovely crockery and teapots etc.

We came back to check Arthur's Uni mailbox and email Andrew. It was incredible - we drove to our place ...and there were at least 3 lots of people picnicking and wandering about outside our place! Felt really weird! They didn't come over the metal ropes ....yes I know it's a fabulous view ...but still felt quite odd for us.

Then we walked lunch off later by going just into the gardens, and of course they go for miles and miles, and there's always another view tempting you, and it inveigles you along!

Managed to stagger back into the Hunting Tower, have a cold drink and a piece of toast ...then even made it to the lounge. Here I am.
So - who's cooking dinner??!

Isola Bella ....yes, again!

Just lazed and enjoyed a  gorgeous day yesterday.

With 24C, sunshine, sparkling lake in view from our lovely 5th floor room with the double verandah, we watched the boats to-ing and fro-ing. Didn't miss out on coffee in the (very quiet) lounge ...and walked (to the right) to the end of the town.
Foraged for viands for lunch , and came up with fresh salad in a bag, bread, yoghurt, and drink. Meandered back to "our" place and ate it enjoying our view.

Snapped pics of whatever took my eye, including 'Villa Ducale". The oldest villa in Stresa and located on the waterfront, it notably became the residence of the philosopher Antonio Rosmini (considered the greatest 19th century Italian thinker, then later, the home of the Duchesse of Genoa. (Her daughter married well and became Queen of Italy.


Much later, after enjoying the hydo-massage bath, found a ristotante NOT in the piazza.


TODAY - out to Isola Bella again...

Then this morning, as we sat in the window having breakfast, I said to Arthur: "What a beautiful day ...I'd really like to visit Isola Bella again". So we did.

Spent several hours in the garden there. Lots more people (being the weekend), but plenty of space for us all - we had a lovely time. It's a different world out there, and so many paths and levels to wander around and through. Despite the people it seemed quiet and tranquil.

Before returning we found a quiet cafe by the water.
And guess what? This time my Italian was better, and we got only ONE pizza and a salad to share! Enjoyed tiny espressos - and DIDN'T spill any over Arthur! Quite successful!!

**...and for my favourite  voyeur - I've taken lots of photos of the garden! Now - you know who you are ...and at the risk of getting a little involved here - I know that you know that I know who you are!!

And Amira, I had another gelati for you on Isola Bella! This time you had "pistacchio" and you LOVED it! (you also loved the taste you had of Arthur's "frutti di bosco" as well)

Lazed a few hours on our balcony verandah late in the afternoon. SO many boats!
Here at the Lake you don't catch a bus, you take a boat. It's just fabulous.

Had dinner at our favourite place in the piazza, listened to the bell, and looked at the full moon as we strolled back.

Went to Switzerland

Off we went on the Lake Maggiore Express. That's the name of a trip that encompasses a boat and a train trip up into Switzerland.

Arthur started out like this (right).

The guide book says, "it offers you an unforgettable tour on the Navigazione Lago Maggiore boats, on the narrow-gauge railway called Vigezzina-Centrovalli and on the Trenitalia trains."
I agree - it IS unforgettable  ...though I am trying to forget some of it!

We went by train first and the day was VERY long. After the change at Domodosola onto the narrow-gauge section, we climbed up, up and more up, high above the valley floor and into the mountains. The views were at times spectacular and I'm glad Arthur was sitting at the window as there were sheer drops a lot of the time ...down a seriously long way! The rivers and streams look so pretty bubbling over the white stones and coloured a pale aquamarine shade, and the snow on the high peaks glistened beautifully.
But we were SO "squished" in ...and the glare was coming straight into my (operated-on) eyes probably 80% of the time ...so that it was with relief that I got out at the other end!

Locarno has an attractive cobbled market place that was in full swing, lovely parks and walks along the waterfront, and plenty of cafes to choose from at lunch time. You also could do some serious shopping there.
We had some good food, and I tipped a macchiato coffee down Arthur's shirt!! - don't ask ... [Jillienne always makes a splash, wherever she is. So we left our mark on Switzerland - and my shirt! - A]
Even had a strawberry gelati there for you Amira, and it was delicious! You LOVED it!

But our timetable showed a very long wait till the next boat stopping at Stresa ...and that it ONLY went to Stresa. So our plan of going to Ascona, had to be scrapped.
Grrr, GGRrrrrrrrr! ...and bigger Grrrr!!

Finally we left, to find that ....our ferry was - 'the milk train'. Stopping ALL villages!!!!

Enjoyed the trip down the Lake but was glad to finally reach home at nearly 7.30pm.

Arthur ended the day like this (left)!

A Drizzly Day in Stresa

So that decided us, we just stayed around here.

This morning was rainy and very, very windy! The lake was pretty with white-caps, the small ferries stayed put, the ducks sought refuge in the hotel swimming pool,  and not too many people were venturing along the esplanade.

Arthur got down to marking the Uni assignments in a serious way ...all done now!!

...and I had a relaxing and lazy read, ....wandered about the immediate vicinity ...enjoyed a respite together with him in the lounge ...saw the fruit and vegetable man do a delivery ... all sorts of excitement.

It's evening now and darkness is gathering. the lake is still, the clouds have cleared away, and Switzerland has revealed it's fall of snow on the mountains. Not a bad place to be!!

Sunshine and 24 c tomorrow - the Lake Maggiore Express is beckoning.

To: Isola Bella

Awoke to a day of soft blue ...lake and mountains painted in a smudgy sort of watercolour. Just beautiful, and completely different from the sparkling light of yesterday.

We went to Isola Bella ...it is so much more than I thought it would be. Loved it!!

Leaving early we enjoyed the short trip (on the large ferry) and spent most of the day there. I'm sure it'd be superb in any weather, but I loved the softness of the day ...it seemed to add to the romance. And romance there is ...not just the mad and slightly hysterical quality of the 'over the top' Baroque terrace. And that itself, with it's self assured statuary, certainly commands your attention.

Firstly we went through the palace, and out via the grottos and into the garden. It's so clever how it never shows all of itself at any one time. But the how could it, situated as it is on so many levels ...every path leading to somewhere ...now you want to go there, and then there ....

And so, we walked and walked ...and walked. Many paths, many steps. Stopped, sat on a wall, ate some fruit and drank our water, and wandered around some more.
Thank goodness for digital photography - don't even know or care how many shots I took. Couldn't stop!

Finally we decided that what we needed - to quote Andrew - was 'a little nibble' and a coffee. So we found a quiet waterfront cafe (lots of them are noisy). The combination of my Italian and the waitresses English, produced a salad and TWO pizzas, instead of one to share!!

 So we got two pizzas, for the price of ....two! Incidentally, they were very Yumm!!

* We liked going on the big ferry.

* We loved the 5 little white peacock chicks - very cute.
* We had a thoroughly Too Much day.
     - walking
     - photos taken
     - number of steps, up and down!
     - pizza consumed
* On reflection, you can't have too much smiling ..... or pleasure!!

   
ps Late this afternoon Arthur continued marking ...and began to do his Professor Higgins impression again!! You know - the bit where he espostulates about women in general, and Eliza in particular.
(He's missing his double screen!!) Poor Arthur - it's a hard life, having to work on holidays.

By Foot, & By boat

As days very often do, today began with breakfast.
We were given a table right at the window with views over the garden and the lake. That seemed a pretty good start to me. Having ordered coffee, and with Arthur bringing me a blood orange juice, we then set out to choose from a selection of...
...fruits, yoghurts, cereals, breads, pastries, cakes and tarts of many varieties ...cheeses, meats, tomatoes ... eggs, hot meats..... it may come as a surprise (or not) - I ate too much!!

So then, we walked.
The town is lovely, there's a derelict grandeur about some of it, but everywhere are the gardens behind wrought iron gates, hydrangeas and roses in profusion, steps, painted shutters, frescoes and friezes ...and chimney pots ...cobbled streets and shady trees. Went a bit mad with the camera.
Even ended up the hill at the railway station. Funny about that!

Decided to get a boat to Isola Pescatori.
Fishermen's Island owes it's name to what was the main income for its inhabitants but now there are only a few fishermen amongst the islands population of 32.

Narrow cobbled streets, pretty houses and the ancient church of San Vittore ...the place is now brimming with eateries - we chose a quiet one away from the shore just behind the church and happily sat in a courtyard shaded with umbrellas and surrounded by luscious hydrangeas. We ate ravioli, pizza, drank tiny little Italian espressos ...and generally enjoyed ourselves!
That place is seriously photogenic. No doubt  helped  by the mid-twenties sunny day, freshened by a light breeze. Does anything get better than that?

Tonight we made our way again to the Piazza Cadorna, ate at a different ristorante, and listened again to the bells.
Wandered back by the shore as darkness was gathering in the coolth of the evening. My coat is a success.

The lights are on all around the lake now and our balcony is the place to be. Sadly, Arthur is marking papers ...*sigh*  

A sunny Sunday afternoon - Stresa

From our balcony!

Arrived rather tired, mainly from the effects of a busy few months. The transfer was faultless - on time, friendly driver, large Audi (very new) and the man had a lead foot. The only thing to pass us was a police car that hooted for a little time before our man (Stefan) pulled over to let them pass! Love Italy!

The Hotel is great. Our room has a double balcony with views like the above.

Eventually walked the short distance to the centre of the village. Found ourselves wandering the fascinating maze of narrow cobbled streets and lanes till we happened into the little piazza shaded by three large trees.
Amongst all the tiny shops and cafes we chose a cheerful looking risterante with red gingham cloths, and ordered. To celebrate our first evening we even had dessert - unlike us - so I have to record it!
Arthur had 'Cafe Affogato' and for me, 'Crostatine Ai Frutti Di Bosco'.

While we were eating a nearby bell softly chimed out 7pm then played a simple tune 7 times ...charming. 

In the park

Pottered in to Green Park today.

Not capable of anything else much so staggered back again.

Rested up for the flight to Milan tomorrow.

Back in London town

On arrival, London smiled at us.  ...and guess what - WE smiled right back at it !!

Arthur  had always loved the idea of the  A380 flight KL - Heathrow (same returning) and it lived up to expectations. Firstly, at gate check, being directed UP the escalator to reach our seats instead of down the ramp. These two levels make it a far taller beast than I had imagined.

It's SO smooth despite it's size, and lying down to sleep is truly lying down.
....then there was, for me, a bit of a freaky moment. Cabin was being tidied up prior to descending into London ...and it felt exactly like the plane had completely stopped. Landing music hadn't been turned on, and there was quite simply NO sound at all. It seemed as if we'd just been turned off! ...for about 10 mins...
Looking out the window, we were just at cloud height and the puffy blowsy clumps of white sailed silently and slowly past!!

Then, of course, the captain talked and down we began, the engines faintly sounding again.
Landing was incredibly smooth and effortless, and the final rapid stage smoother than ever we've experienced.

Our flight out of KL was delayed for about an hour. This gave us time for a shower (Jillienne) and some marking (Arthur). Fortunately a few of his students had got work in early. Terrific, a few less to mark in Italy! We both had time to enjoy the lounge and food.

A surprise awaited us at the Hotel when we opened Jilliennes case and found a most beautiful card and contents had been secretely inserted among Jilliennes unmentionables. You two are so beautiful (at least one of you is - A) and really special people. Thankyou so much. A strawberry gelati eaten by the shores of Lake Maggiore on your behalf is a certainty. Sure you wouldn't prefer olive oil flavour ...?!

In bed extremely early, plan to do as little as possible for a bit.

Step one - done.

Thanks to Ray and Amira we got to the airport.
And ...we've made it to KL! That may not sound earth shattering, but for me, at least, it's a feat!
And a very pleasant discovery - the lounge here has been refurbished and is better than ever.

A shower I think, then Arthur thinks we should hunt for the Jimmy Choo shop as I have bagged bargains before.

Four days to go...

Lovely warm day here, to walk around our lake, work in the study... or spread manure for newly planted vegies. *sniffs*  *sighs*

...and I dragged poor long suffering Andrew (who isn't typing this for me so that I will feed him - obviously) outside to photograph me in my new Spring Coat. Surprise, surprise - it's red!

Running Away in 2015

Hello everyone ...
It's been awhile but I've just re-activated my blog so...
if you want to follow us to Italy, Switzerland and England you're welcome.  We leave within the week and although I'm not making any promises to talk everyday this time,  when energy and inclination combines I will.

Please spare a thought for Arthur ...he teaches face-to-face the evening we fly out! Then gets picked up to go straight to the airport. So yes ... if anything is forgotten - it will definitely be MY fault. So ...what do I plan to forget?? Possibly shoes - then I'll need to get a new pair.
Not only that, but as we travel towards London, approximately 40 three thousand word essays will come into his laptop from the Uni Masters students. Guess what he'll be doing in the evenings beside Lake Maggiore!!?!

So feel free to say hello to us, we'd love it.