Back on track....

After 4 forgettable days in Brighton I have returned to the joys of Italy.

Having read Ewan's blogs I thought I might be able to hand the responsibility over to him: but no, he has taken a big step back and handed the reins back to me. I note that he waited until I wasn't doing the blog to work out how to make the photos so glamorous!

I won't dwell on the days in Brighton but I arrived with the coughs and cold that Ewan had kindly shared with me, then caught a very nasty virus and spent one night violently ill and the last day of the Conference in bed. However I did manage to attend two days and mingle with some of the Orygen staff, a few of whom also became ill!

Despite setbacks I did manage to do the two  major attractions: fish and chips at the Brighton pier and a visit to the ridiculous Brighton Pavilion.

The pier has more constantly changing lights than a few wind turbines could generate, and is an interesting combination of the olde worlde English style and modern kitsch. The penny arcade cost more than a penny, and the noise and lights were dazzling. But the first and chips were delicious and it was great to actually see it!

I have enclosed some photos of the Pavilion built by King George IV as words fail me. He was obsessed with Asia, having never been there, so the entire place is an English version of the exotica of Asia. The outside is pseudo-Indian and the inside is Chinese or chinoiserie as the style is known. Totally decadent interior but no photos allowed unfortunately. George had to beg Parliament to give him enough money to finish it. Not sure what the peasants of Brighton would have thought of it!

Feeling ordinary I was glad to leave Brighton and catch the plane back to Milan. It was nearly two hours late, much to Ewan's annoyance (and the joy of the Airport car park owners).

From the Airport we drove for an hour to reach Lake Como, checked into the hotel (Hotel Larius) had some superb pasta in the hotel restaurant and fell into bed.

It's often difficult to predict where you will get really special food and this tiny restaurant was a surprise, and so good we went there both nights. The porcini lasagne was much better than our version Erin!

Friday 4th October: Lago di Como

We awoke to find the mist and fog ruining the view of the mountains from our window, and headed off in search of the lake. For the rest of the day we dawdled our way around the town and along the promenade. The excitement of the day was to catch the Funicular to the top of a nearby mountain. It took a mere 7 minutes for the strangely-angled cable car to climb the step sides of the mountain and deposit us at the top. After assessing the options we decided to forgo the climb to the lighthouse in favor of a hot chocolate- a great decision as it was thick and delicious.

The view of the lake grew dimmer as we ascended the mountain, as it became foggier and damper, but still very spectacular views of the old part of Como and the Lake receding into the distance.

Despite the fact that Ewan couldn't work out where the cables were on the cable car, we arrived safely back in town and promenaded along the sea walk admiring the huge mansions and gardens along the shore. You can imagine that the rich and wealthy would have avoided hot dry summers elsewhere with a lovely sojourn here.

Then we split up to  have a peruse of the shops, bought only some grapes and biscuits, and I had a recuperative siesta back at the Hotel.

After planning our last few days in Italy, back to the restaurant for dinner and bed.

your returned traveller

Dianne