The end of this year's amazing trips

 

I truly feel I have lived life to the full since I set off on my  travels to Brittany early in May. Of course , before that my travels had already started but my blog began  only after I retired and I was given my mini Ipad. I am so grateful for this generous gift which has given me hours of immense pleasure raccounting the amazing experiences I have had. Previously I kept a diary, but now it is even better with photos as well and of course the fact that I have kept close to my friends and been able to share these wonderful moments through my blog.

After about five and a half months of travel, broken in summer by my time in Zuoz, my breath is still taken away by the marvels of nature along with the architectural and man- made  wonders of this world. 

 

Today was no exception as I headed back to Russikon for the last 9 days before I fly back home towards the two most important people in my life, Mark and David, and of course many friends I have not seen for a long time.  What a brilliant day it has been even considering the many train changes with a very sore knee and carrying quite a bit of luggage. This was certainly a golden finish!

 

I was really lucky on the train to Lecco to meet a great English guy with his daughter. As the train was running late I had to dash for the connection in Lecco. It would have been impossible if he had not carried my case and kept the door open for me. Two hours wait at what looked like a beautiful place on the lake may not have been so bad but I do not fancy arriving too late.

The trip to Tirano through the valleys , with their slopes  covered with vineyards , was fabulous, but the best, the Bernina Pass, was still to cone.

Miralago, just outside Poschiavo, looked more gorgeous than ever with the clear blue skies, the snow-capped peKs in the distance  and magnificent autumn colours.

 

As we climbed towards Alp Grum the colours became even more intense and the views towards Poschiavo and Italy in the distance, more and more spectacular.

 

Alp Grum, one of my favourite places, lovely at any time of the year, took my breath away with its fantastic larches , clothed in their phenomenal autumn colours.

 

Lago Bianco was not, as it is in winter, white,  but silver looking towards the sun and

 

Turquoise in the other direction. Awesome.

 

Over the Pass and down towards Morteratsch Glacier, one of the most breathtaking sights on this fabulous journey. Again, the larches, though almost past their best, splashed further colour onto this perfect picture.

 

One side of me yearned to stay, but given the fact I cannot walk too well today, I realise a sedate train journey is probably better! It is wonderful to sit and truly appreciate autumn in the Engadine.

As I write this I am enjoying this fantastic stretch between Pontresina and Chur!

 I

Now I am nearly home. This is a place I must visit next year, reichenau Tamins. Looked fabulous in the late afternoon light. 

 

So, now I am home after a long day of 2 buses, 1 funicular, and 7 trains! I  am not really looking forward to the next days, although it will be lovely to see many of my friends before I leave. It will be hard saying so many 'goodbyes'. Still, I will be back mid to end of May and my blog will not lie dormant in that time! As well as that, I have a number of visitors due in NZ so the travelling will certainly continue 😀

Bergamo and environs

After a fantastic sleep at high altitude , top of the tower, it was great to look down on the world below from my room.

 

Throughout the old town with its narrow cobbled streets there are wonderful shops in very old buildings. This snack bar was amazing. Believe it or not, I have not been in it. Don't think I would trust myself!

 

I photograpged this restaurant  last night but did not see this great picture.

 

After once again being stupid enough to slip on the cobbles and land on my knees,  I struggled a bit with stairs but made it to the Orto botanico. I am so pleased I did as it was fabulous. We were there alone and so had all the time in the world to stop and stare. The early morning rain looked gorgeous on the grasses there.

 

Then, luckily for us, we found ourselves above the fog which was cloaking  the town in ghostly shrouds. What breathtaking scenery!

 

As we were close to the funicular to San Vigilio, we took advantage of the better visibility. The little funicular was really cute.

 

We had wonderful views over the surrounding hills and pretty colourful houses

 

And on the other side, views of Bergamo Alta and Bassa. Bergamo Alta looks fabulous on the top of the hill - sadly the light was not great, but actually we were lucky, because just before we left the fog  returned

 

I thought these toadstools looked like pretty little girls ( one- legged!) in frilly dresses and  with little sunhats 🙂

 

Scary statues close to the Piazza Vecchia.

 

Because I was hobbling a bit and also because it was recommended highly, I visited the Museum of the Venetian Age. It was a wonderful interactive museum showing many aspects of how people used to live at the time of the 'most serene  republic of Venice'.  It took ages to read everything in Italian, but the very pleasant, young, good - looking guide, who adored the South Island of NZ and of course The All Blacks, was always ready to assist me😌

 

 

I had a brilliant time there.

Then on to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiors - very ornate - 

 

And the Duomo which was still very impressive but much less ornate.

 

Tea drinking in the Piazza Vecchia was fun. Lots of interestimg people to watch and a very unusual cup - don't think my Mum would have approved!

 

As I write this I am sitting in the bar which has this poster! I will try not to look like the dog when I keave!  Very good Chardonnay from the region. I can't cope  with the over 60 stairs to the room twice this evening - my excuse for being here and not in my room!

 

 

Nice place and right on main drag for people watching . Perfect!

Great meal put and another amazing shop window.

 

Iseo

What a fabulous start to the day after a blissful sleep ! Flamiio had promised us a surprise and it certainly was, as we went on to the veranda and saw the colourful market stalls below us. Marvelous.

 

It was very special to eat breakfast on the veranda above the bustle of the market. Super start!

 

How I love these terracotta colours!

 

Flamino just loves people and the area in which he lives. After breakfast we were whisked around the pretty little town to see some places tourists rarely see. One was the inside of an office in a building over 800 years old which had recently been renovated but the ancient ceilings left intact. They were magnificent. What a place to work!

 

Human art and nature's artistry. The bark of this tree below was exceptionally beautiful.

 

Flamino dropped us at the start of a walk around a nature reserve. I was so thrilled to get close to this swampy area I had seen from the train. 

We were surprised to encounter some very tame rabbits, who seemed totally unfazed by our presence.

 

Despite overcast skies, this tranquil area still had that Wow factor with the fantastic autumnal colours, the layers of silhouettes of the hills shrouded in low cloud and the gorgeous reflections in the still waters.

 

Breathtaking views even with the cloud!

 

Lakes with the vegetation reflected in them, all around us!

 

And then the heavens opened and I was thrilled at last to put on my super fashionable raincoat I had received when I went to watch Romeo and Juliet at the Thuner See. I have been carrying it around with me for months! I can't say it gave me a lot of protection, but it made everyone smile😀

 

Joy luckily did not notice this masterpiece of camouflage! I did and was rather quick to go past it. As I did, it reared up like a scorpion, but Flamino says they have none there and it is too cold. Will have to check it out when I have time. I was pleased to be wearing good walking boots and long trousers!

We were quite sad to say farewell to Flaminio, who had made us so welcome. I am sure I will come back next year. There is a lot to explore here.

 

After a short train journey here we are in Bergamo which is split into a lower and higher Bergamo, with the oldest buildings being in the higher, Alta.. We are staying in the Citta Alta in a tower. It is incredible, and excellent training for the stairs in Zuoz. I am at the top of the tower!

 

Pretty nice, eh!

 Oops! There are bells in the tower! Just like living in Pfaeffikon again. Glad I have earplugs with me.

Leaving Venice, Lago di Iseo

It was wonderful to once more enjoy the Grand Canal on the way to the station. The weather was not quite as nice as yesterday, but it was all still beautiful.

 

It was lovely to view the rows of gondolas from the water. They look so impressive lined up. 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the Rialto Bridge is being restored. On the other side it still looks fantastic, but I can't say I liked the idea of a massive advert on the other.

 

We had only seen the Canal at the weekend, so it was really interesting to see it being used during weekdays - postal services, building materials, furniture deliveries, everything has to be moved on water. Unbelievably complex I imagine.

 

As we neared the Rialto we swerved to one side to let an emergency vehicle through. It was incredible watching it weaving between the armada of boats and gondolas , at very high speed.

 

 And now here we are in Iseo, a pretty little town on a lake surrounded by hills and mountains, with the largest island in a lake in Europe! We are staying at B and B la Veranda, a cute wee place with, surprisingly, a veranda! 

 

Our rooms go out onto this and our wonderful host immediately opened a bottle of local sweetish bubbly for us to sample along with a massive piece of panettone. A fabulously watm welcome and more chance to speak Italian.

 

It was gorgeous on the veranda with such beautiful autumnal colours all around 

 

The lake must be amazing when weather is fine, but was still lovely with the low cloud.

 

Flaminio, the owner of the B and B insisted on driving me to the hills to wine taste,  a local Brut Franciacorte. . It was absolutely delicious. To my mind equally as good as any champagne I have ever had. The visit to the cellars was interesting too and the museum with bottles from different years, was fantastically lit with bottle lamps.

 

What a pity about the weather. The vines would have looked even more colourful and there would be a view of the lake and mountains!

 

Never mind. We had an amazing evening eating some absolutely delicious local food and drinking local wine tonight at a typical osteria full of incredibly noisy and fun people. It was fantastic watching a table of 9. Unlike us, they don't just talk to the immediate neighbours, but hold great conversations with those at the far end of the table, hence, deafening but so animated!

 

 It was so wonderful to hear such loud laughter and to watch their expressions of joy. Our landlord was there helping out in the osteria and completely spoilt us with a welcome prosecco and antipasti , and at the end a delicious chocolate liqueur. 

We finished the evening sitting on the veranda with him, chatting about the special event here in Iseo, the Floating islands. It was brilliant to get a local's view of it.

Here the artist's view 👍