Having arrived home from the KESR at 11pm or so, we had to get up at 6am to head for Gatwick and holidays.  Well, I got some sleep – I think Maxine stayed up overnight for the last minute jobs and packing!

We were paying a first visit to Ruth and Cory at there relatively new house on Monte Isola, on Lago d’Iseo, the smallest and less well known of the lakes north of Milan.  Only accessible by ferry, but there are plenty of them, going in all directions around the lake.  It’s only a little house, but with a large plot of land full of olive trees.  Some home pictures.  I’m told the bed is c1800 (came with the house) – but with a new mattress it was very comfortable!!!

Monte Isola….

And some expeditions.  These normally comprised a boat ride, a short walk to a large (and excellent) lunch, then a little exploration before coming home.  Weather was hot, but there’s always a breeze on the water – and a couple of spectacular evening thunderstorms.

We did visit one very good museum in Brescia, with masses of fine Roman relics.

No railways though.  I did see a blue 4-car DMU looking from the island to the mainland.  Driving back to Milan on Tuesday, we were running parallel to the main line – but no trains.  I later discovered that there was a national rail strike.  Typical!  However I did spot these two fine photos at our lunch stop.  The waterfront is still very recognisable.

Lunch was, as usual, excellent, though one item on the menu was avoided…..

It was a wonderfully relaxing few days away, and I can’t wait to get back there.