This time last year we were in Italy for the Summer holidays. We could have done the same this year as we had been invited to a family wedding mid July, but regretfully we decided we couldn't return so soon after having been there in May.
In the hot Summer months of July and August we go up into the mountains within the local national park. There are woods and streams as well as a flat, grassy plateau which is popular for camping, walking and horse riding. Most families take a picnic, which is part of the enjoyment of a day out, although being a protected, unspoilt area there is only one small restaurant by a flowing stream. The food there is good if you haven't brought a picnic and most people find a spot nearby in the shade of the trees and put their drinks in the water to keep cool.
Further down the mountain we go and collect water to supplement the numerous bottles of mineral water we consume during the hot weather. There's always a queue at the fountains in the area, but we chat with locals as we wait for our turn.
Last time I noticed some colourful, hand-painted bottles lined up by the side of the road and on a stall as we passed by. There are very few houses in this area which can be very isolating for those who live there. In the Winter months there's snow and at other times there can be a sudden downpour of heavy rain. Most of the houses and small hamlets are lower down the mountain. Once there were only shepherd huts, but now they have been replaced by new builds.
One day last Summer Mr P took the visiting family up into the mountains to get our supply of mineral water from the fountain and I stayed at home. They had found a new shop where they could get ice creams and a drink and after the family had gone back home to the UK we went back for more water and stopped for refreshments and some home made bread. I was amazed at the provisions and household items you could get in the shop, but as it's the last one before going into the national park it provides for the local community or visitors that pass by.
We spent a relaxing half hour sitting with a drink in the garden of the shop before taking the winding road back down the mountain to our village home.
Further down the lane from this group of houses belonging to members of the family is where we live.