Our Time in Italy (4): Up in the Mountains

 

A day or two after we arrived in Italy we decided to drive up into the mountains.  In Winter there's a ski resort in the area and in the Summer it's a place to enjoy picnics by cool streams and walk in the woods.  For the adventurous there are pony trekking facilities, mountain ridge climbing and a great expanse of grassland on a plateau called Prato di Campoli which is a favourite picnic spot.  I have happy memories of August holidays with our children and grandchildren camping there.  

We visited Trisulti Monastery - which I've shared before.  It's surrounded by woods and we had to drive around the mountains to get to it.  The above photos are taken from across a deep gorge.

We stopped for a mozzarella sandwich lunch at a restaurant not far from the monastery that we wanted to visit and then took a walk by the streams flowing along under the bridges.

Trisulti Monastery Entrance Door

the old pharmacy

There are fountains everywhere inside and outside the monastery. The water is continually flowing because it comes from natural springs in the mountains.  We had brought large glass jars and filled them with the pure mineral water for drinking just as the locals do.  Of course, we had already bought bottles of mineral water from the local village supermarket as well.  

the monastery refectory

the cloister garden

interior of the church

carving of a dolphin on one of the monk's seats

a mural in the old pharmacy reception waiting room

Time to head back home after a good day out.

Our Time in Italy (3)

As you know I like my walking routine so today I'll take you down the lane to our house.  It's a short distance from my sister-in-law's home which she shares with her son, the delicatessen man and his adult children.  The woods looked green and enticing, but I was content to just look at the wild flowers in the fields and along the grassy banks. I love the contrast of the red poppies, purple vetch and purple wild allium heads.

The little things such as a walk in the countryside near our home delighted me the most.

Once we had settled in we went on a drive up into the mountains.  Another day whilst we were busy in the garden our daughter M and partner went to the coast and enjoyed a day there.  

That's all for now, but I'll be back soon when I'll share our time up in the mountains.

Italy May 2022

Our daughter M sent photos of the Italian trip so here's a glimpse at what they did during the time away.  I know that they worked hard in the house and on the land surrounding it to get everything well maintained.  Once they had settled in there were some visits to see the family, go shopping for provisions at a nephew's delicatessen and a friend's pasta shop. A hired car was essential in getting them around.  On one occasion our daughter and friend went to the coast and on another day they visited the beautiful gardens of the Villa d'Este in the town of Tivoli near Rome.

the local abbey and hill towns

Back here the weather continues to be mild and there's plenty to do in our UK garden.  I'm looking forward to the weekend.   Hopefully we'll get out into the countryside on Saturday.  My birthday is happening and we shall be going to daughter M's for tea and cake on Sunday.  I'll catch up with all your news soon.  Meanwhile, have a good week.