Mountains and the Lake

Tuesday

27 August

Day 58

38 to go

This morning the alarm was ringing at 6.45am, it felt like I had only just gone to bed. We had to be up as we were meeting Fabio at 745am. I was glad I had my things out ready, as it was slow going. We did make it out on time, walking the lake where the whitecaps were brimming and the wind and kite surfers were making the most of the stiff breeze. 

We arrived at the cafe bakery and had to wait for Ezio to bring Luigia, Angelo and Sylvana. It was extremely busy, with plenty coming and going. We had a table at the back of the cafe where we could watch the bakers creating various pastries.

We ordered our treats and drinks and sat, communicating sporadically with broken English and Italian. It was lovely to see the family, although it was too short. We took some photos together and then it was time to say goodbye. 

This time Ezio took us in his car, while Fabio took the others back to Ello. Ezio had some sightseeing plans for us. The first stop was up in the mountains. He drove the many hairpin turns, slowly making his way up the incline, before reaching our destination Piani Resinelli. We parked on the street and then proceeded to walk up into the forest where it was green and shady. While it was still an ascent, it was no where near as challenging as yesterday. 

We walked for about 40 minute spying one deer in the woods. When the path evened out, we had finally reached the lookout, 1000 metres above lake Como. What an incredible view we had. The mountains, the lake and all of the towns laid out before us. It was very special. 

After taking it all in from ever angle, we made our way back to the car for 11.30am and we were on to our next destination, Carrozze Formaggi in Pasturo. We were here to try the local cheese. The cheese establishment sits in a valley with a view of many mountains, including the tallest one in the area at 2400m. 

We made our way inside, looked at the menu, choosing a meat and cheese plate to share and a local delicacy; sciatt al Taleggio. This is cheese balls coated in buckwheat flour and fried and they were delicious.

Happily full, yet again, we returned to the car, heading back onto twisty, turny, steep and narrow mountain roads to Parlasco for 1.15pm. We were brought to this tiny village to see the murals that adorn different walls throughout the town. There were many to check out. 

Back on the road at 1.30pm, we descended back down to the lake, stopping in Bellano. This is a lovely, little town, right on the water. We strolled along the promenade to the beach. There were a few people in, but most were sunning themselves. I walked to the edge to feel the lake water. It was quite pleasant. We then walked in the opposite direction to see more along the shore, before moving through some small alleys in the centre. It was much cooler in the shade of the buildings. We checked out Chiesa Di Santa Maria admiring the ceiling art work. We were back at the car for 2.20pm and following the lake edge, which at times was in tunnels with arched scalloped openings offering views of the lake. 

We bypassed Varena and made our way to Lierna, where we parked and headed to the gelataireia store. With our ice cream cones in our hand, we walked down to the lake and enjoyed our cold sweet. I sat on a step, so that I could cool my feet in the lake. It was heaven, though I got wet when the wake from boats hit the wall. I didn’t mind though. 

We walked a small section, saw a white swan and watched a jet ski rider. We then had to return to the car and make our way back to Lecco, to think about our move tomorrow and be ready for dinner with Fabio and his friends at 6.30pm.

We said a very grateful thank you to Ezio, when he dropped us near our home and then walked the lanes, relieved to have a few hours to rest. I was able to catch up on some of the photos of the passed few days and load some online, but the internet is not the fastest. 

Just after 6, we started to get ready and then we left the apartment at 6.45pm to enjoy the sun setting on the lake and meet Fabio for 7pm.

He drove us to the restaurant Rosita, in Besana in Brianza, concerned about the darkening clouds. Sure enough, large fat droplets began landing on the car and before long hail was bouncing around. The roads soon became water logged and the car was spraying water everywhere and slipping on the wet road. We just continued on.

We did make it to the restaurant in one piece, as did Mara and Luca. We found an outdoor table in the dry and proceeded to wait for Morena and Roberto to join us. In the meantime we enjoyed an Aperol with a cheese and meat board. 

When Morena arrived, we ordered our dinner. Rosita specialises in chicken, so that is what we enjoyed. A whole bird, but small in size, was presented opened out. It had been roasted until crunchy on the outside and was served without cutlery, as you were expected to eat with your hands. It was yum. 

We sat around chatting for a while. Mara had an old photo from when they all came to Australia and are standing the in the kitchen with us. We decided we would recreate the photo, before leaving the restaurant. A bit of fun, 

We were then driven to Montevecchia for an amazing view to Milan. The night lights were all twinkling away in the distance, it was very pretty. We wandered the small streets, returning to the car and saying our goodbyes. It was so great that we were able to see everyone before we leave tomorrow.

Fabio then drove us back to Lecco. It was well and truly past our bed time. We thanked him for a great few days and wandered back to our room, getting in at 11.30am, well and truly ready for bed.