Via dei Morti
After having a moderately long lie in and a leisurely breakfast we decided to repeat yesterday’s leisurely stroll to the lake.
I thought that I needed to become acquainted with my accordion again and had a crack at some familiar tunes. It appears that someone has rearranged the buttons on the blighter in the last five months as the tunes I tried to play sounded most peculiar. Janet took the trouble to put a load of music amongst the stuff we brought over in February. I now have months of fun in front of me, and Janet and the neighbours, have months of pain in front of them, as I try to get to grips with these masterpieces.
As the sun shone through the clouds this afternoon we quite liked that idea of a stroll on part of the Via dei Morti. This was the footpath used by the inhabitants of Ponte Caffaro, in the dim and distant past, to carry the coffins of people who had died in Ponte Caffaro to the cemetary at Bagolino. It is a narrow path along an edge and I wouldn’t fancy carrying a coffin along it.
Happily, for modern undertakers and parish priests, there is a cemetery in Ponte Caffaro now so this hazardous trip is no longer necessary. Although, the cemetery was not built until there was an outbreak of cholera and a somewhat more convenient place of rest was needed.
The round trip we took today takes about 50 minute at a slow stroll, and this includes a bit of staring about at the scenery time. If you were to run along the route it would obviously be quicker but you would look silly in the main street of Ponte Caffaro. You would also miss the views straight down onto the roofs of the old houses and out towards the lake, the flat plane and the citadel at Anfo.
I hope that we have Dr Who to watch, rounding off a very enjoyable Sunday.
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I’d just like to say that I’m delighted to see that you’re still blogging, as it’s my (slighly illicit) treat at the start of work each day.
I’m glad to hear that you and your accordian have had your longed-for reunion, and I wish you luck in becoming reacquainted.
I hope you managed to watch Dr Who – I thought it was an excellent episode!
We overcame the BBC’s reluctance to share Dr WHO and watched it last night. I agree, it was very good! I now have it set as a series download so we should be able to see the lot.
Re the blog, thanks for still reading these scribbles. I wasn’t sure whether to carry it on or stop but when we were in the coop this morning the chap who runs it was asking if there was an Italian version and also mentioned that he couldn’t view the photos. So I think I’ll add new stuff periodically and also try to improve the quality of what is there now.
The accordion is proving to be a fickle friend and not letting me play the tunes I used to know!!
Salutations and much respect from Shirehall!! Chris W told me you had completed your meander through Europe. I am rapidly playing catchup on your blog (Day 18). I know I’ve a long way to go and it will be taxing but I feel worth it. Hopefully you’ll continue with blogging of your experiences in Italy. Molte grazie e complimenti a tutti e due (Blame google if its wrong!!)
Thanks Ian, we had a fabulous time, with nil responsibilities. I heartily recommend such a trip to anyone needing to clear the brain of nonsense. We planned very little and meandered, as you say, from day to day. Sometimes we planned as far as three days in advance, but this was a rarity.
I am now settling down in order to get to grips with a demand from the local council (Bagolino) for unpaid council tax for 2008 and 2009. We have paid this council tax of course but their records and the bank statements don’t match or some such. It is the same the whole world over!!! None of this nonsense on top of mountains.
Bravo per la traduzione! cordiali saluti a tutti voi. Spero che tutto va bene nel futuro con il nuovo capo della Provincia di Shropshire
We are so happy that you are continuing to share your daily life with us. Thank you and we look forward to many more strolls around Ponte Caffaro.
We do have spare room you know! Although it is doubling up as the music, tv, printer and other odd stuff room.