we've spent 4 weeks based in the area of lazio north of rome
and now with a guest we are going to do a couple of day trips
re-visiting some spots like the tour-guides we pretend to be
today we are more or less repeating a trip from our first week
heading one hour north-west to the beautiful town of calcata
a small and ancient settlement perched on the side of a hill
it kind of appears out of nowhere and is quite breath-taking
there's a lot of towns on the top of hills but this one is special
it just seems to blend in so well with it's natural environment
we park the car and walk through and up a narrow walkway
opening onto a town that today is very quiet but welcoming
monday is likely their down-day after looking after tourists
great for us as we wander once again in the narrow streets
those streets only ever intended for meandering foot-traffic
each laneway ending with a spectacular cliff-top outlook
a mixture of homes, cafes, restaurants, shops and studios
as we previously discovered this town is loved by artists
and us too - we will return - but for now we push on north
lake bracciano is beckoning and a fresh water swim awaits
but first - lunch - we cannot resist a return to a familiar place
we are seated outdoors in the shade of trees overlooking the lake
a meal based around freshwater fish and white wine is consumed
a few other diners around and the most willing of service staff
pinch-me stuff in this simply glorious setting - but - swim time
it's a hot day and the cool water of the lake is very refreshing
there's a buoy out there that needs to be reached - close enough
it is surprisingly choppy but also exhilarating in the clear water
happy to hang on to the buoy to reclaim breath after a hard swim
a mixture of elation and anxiety here and now - lets get back in
an instant sun-dry and we head off to our next stop - viterbo
trip adviser has suggested there's thermal springs in the area
the controls are set and we arrive - but - commercial it is not
that is - kind of neglected - and kind of under-whelming also
but we dangle legs and walk in a pool of hot sulphorous water
feels - good - worth the effort we agree as we head to the city
park the car and take a walk in a now familiar old part of viterbo
we're a bit late - the town is closing but we enjoy a wander anyway
this town hosts italy's gold reserves which may explain the feeling
there's money here - and lots of clothing shops chasing it too
out hour-long visit is soon over (enough) so time to get home
down the autostrade, exit right and onto some familiar roads
a late night had after a long (day) trip but satisfied as always
we plunder the fridge and assume horizontal positions - g'night...
