Friday May 24, Castiglione del Lago

Wonderful views as we walked up to the top
of Montepulciano.

Firstly, last night’s dinner, we did enjoy it and even though our waitress could speak very little English we could with a little help from her interpret the menu. We ordered a salad followed by pasta, I had the gnocchi with olives and mushrooms which I really enjoyed and Ian the spaghetti Bolognese. The pasta was all homemade and quite different to what we are used to but it was all really good. We also had a very nice bottle of local Chianti wine, and that went down very well. I decided I needed a desert and tried the tart with ricotta and chocolate, also very good. Certainly, a good night out and to wander through the old streets back to the camper felt so good. Sometimes I really need to pinch myself that we are here in the middle of Italy enjoying this.

Today we decided to visit Montepulciano, a town we have heard a lot about. The scenic road we travelled was particularly good, and with the sun shining the Tuscany countryside looked so good. As we came into the town of Bettolle there appeared to be much congestion at the roundabout, initially presumed there had been an accident as many police were in attendance, but soon realised the farmers were having a protest and they had their big tractors, all flying green flags and in a convoy going around the roundabout. Chaos, but eventually we got through and surprisingly we didn’t hear any horns tooting.

Parked in a motorhome area below the town of Montepulciano which had great views over the countryside and took two lifts up to the start of the town. These towns are all built on hill tops which make for a lot of walking. Thought we were made by getting the lifts, but that was only the start of it. We walked up and up through the steep streets to get to the square at the top. All along the way were shops for tourists selling local wine and souvenirs and restaurants everywhere. And there were many people, mainly busloads of tourists all speaking English. Although we did enjoy seeing the wonderful architecture and views over the landscape, somehow these towns don’t really do it for us. We walked right to the square at the top, happy to know that the return was all downhill.  Glad we have been but not a place we would return to in a hurry.

Then it was onto the lake at Castiglione, just over an hour’s drive where we had spotted a nice campsite beside the lake. We have heard how bad the Italian roads were, and this afternoon we really experienced it, there were more filled potholes than original road and we bumped our way through, Ian managing to weave through the holes as well as possible. We stopped at the supermarket in town before setting up camp and by this stage we both felt rather weary from our hill climb this morning. Have a good spot where we are beside the reserve and could sit under the trees and enjoy the view and just relax. Understand this lake, which is the fourth largest in Italy is only 6 metres deep. Misty rain hung around the hills and tomorrow afternoon and Sunday the forecast is for more rain. Everyone is talking about this season, it is so much wetter and cooler than normal. Guess you win some and lose some. Tonight we are in the Umbria region and sadly have left Tuscany behind.

The farmers protesting by partially blocking
this large roundabout with their tractors.

And everywhere are the poppies

Old stonework in the town.

..and cacti growing in pottery shoes.

The piazza at the top of the town.

...and thankfully we were on the
downhill going back!

Artisan pasta.

And a good place to unwind.