Such a Lovely Couple

 

Simon and Wendi together at the villa she, Dan, Ben and Arthur took in Angera.

Our First Visitors -- Wendi, Dan, Ben and Arthur

They were just about to visit us in Australia, when I let them know that...we would be in Italy. So, Wendi, Dan, Ben and Arthur visited us here, instead. They stayed in a villa in Angera with a beautiful view of the lake and mountains. Among other things, we visited Rocca Borromeo -- the ancient castle of the Borromeo nobility -- and the three isles on Lago Maggiore -- Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Superiore di Pescatore, where we had a wonderful meal of fish -- carpaccio, grilled and marinated. Easily one of the best meals I've had since coming to Italy.

Rocca Borromeo has an extraordinary doll collection which Wendi and I were much more interested in than was Abby.

Isola Madre is special for its plants. I'm figuring out the best way to post those for maximum effect.

Walking on Thick Ice!

We drove into the Alps, stopping along the way for lunch, then continued on to Macugnaga. There we took the chair lift up to Belvedere where we got off and explored.

Into the Net Darkly

We have found an unreliable but temporary solution to having internet at home.
So, weather permitting, I can get online which is making a big difference in my quality of life. In addition, Simon has endowed me with microphone, headphones and a new webcam, so Skyping is on the way. Looking forward to being more in touch.

Trapped

Feeling a bit trapped as I'm still not driving on the right. Okay, yes, I'm a bit scared.

Feeling a bit isolated as we still don't have internet at home and it's not always convenient to get to the Club House. Okay, yes I'm a bit spoiled.

With the driving, it's not just changing from driving left to driving right. It's the very narrow roads -- so narrow that sometimes cars have to back up to let the other pass. With the isolation, it's also that we only have mobiles which make it cost an absolute fortune to call the friends I'm missing so much. Add to it that the Club House whose wireless I rely upon is closing for two weeks this Saturday. So we're looking for other solutions with people who speak English!