Rustic rest and relaxation

We woke to the sound of birdsong or rather birdcacophony this morning. There's no shortage of birds and this includes finches, Jays, Green Woodpeckers, Buzzards and so on. They were joined later by the pealing of bells which drifted across the valley from a number of hilltop villages, which they must have been doing for hundreds of years.

Today is another rest day on our bikeless Tour do France/Giro d'Italia but we managed to fit in a visit to nearby Garbagna. Actually, we had planned to go to San Sebastiano but got lost early on and the Toms wanted to direct us to southern Italy (it seems there are a lot of San Sebastianos in Italy).

However, it was a good non-choice and we discovered another delightful village, which would have been swarming with tourists if it was located in Tuscany or Sussex. As it was, it had a buzz but wasn't crowded. We had a wander and eventually bought up the only bread remaining at the local bakery (it was almost 12.00).

And then back to our hideaway for coffee and grissini (bread stick!) and an afternoon by the pool whilst Bertha battered Britain (the Mail can have that for free). We managed to get online via our hosts' wi-fi (a bit more bandwidth banditry) hence our knowledge of Bertha. Is this a once in 50 to 100 year event for the fifth year running? I'm sure fracking will help to resolve that as it will everything else that's wrong in the World.

This evening remains warm and clear, and the sky is alive with House Martins and the inevitable mosquitoes, which I assume is not unrelated. Whilst the Brit count remains at 3 plus 2 (possibles) the mossie bite toll continues to rise but we will not be beaten, crestfallen or downhearted. Instead, we will fight them on the terrace, by the pool and in the house - we will not be defeated.

Tomorrow is Genoa via the airport to collect Mike. If you're reading this Mike: TEA BAGS. The situation could reach critical in the next few days. Oh, and have a pleasant journey.