Wednesday, 7am

Can't believe it. We just opened the blinds to see a blue sky!

A lovely day with friends

We woke to a brighter, more settled day, thank goodness and were surprised to see fresh snow on the mountains opposite. But the 11.50 hydrofoil was bringing more sunshine for us, in the form of dear Swiss friends Tonie, Peter and Kathy.

We settled down for an aperitivo in the bar opposite the boat-station, whilst Peter ran round the town to do a recce for a lunch venue. He was soon back and we followed him to a small restaurant in a quiet corner we'd not found before. All home-cooking, served by "Mama", which was good. Sadly, too cold to sit outside, so after lunch we did a spot of window-shopping and finally settled ourselves back in the bar where we had started, for afternoon tea.

All too soon, it was time to say bye and we waved them off onto the hydrofoil again for their journey home. Hope to see you all again soon!

We gave up

Waking to another dreary day, we nevertheless decided to make the best of it but take a taxi to the next village rather than battle through the wind and rain to the boat.

Two coffees later, the rain hadn't let up, so we made our way to the boat and went over to the Isola Superiore where we had seen some promising restaurants.

The world often looks better through the bottom of a wine glass, and we enjoyed our lunch of grilled fish, but even though we persuaded them to light the patio heater under the awning, we were too cold to linger. We took the next boat back to Stresa, I grabbed a passing taxi and we decided to spend the afternoon back in the hotel, with dry clothes and warm feet. Much more comfortable.

At least the weather today suited some...

(they tell us the sun will shine tomorrow)

To Switzerland

We took a boat along the lake to Switzerland today, had lunch and came back again. We imagined ourselves on a wood-panelled steamer, chugging away as we sat in comfort gazing at the beautiful scenery through the windows.

 

We did not expect an old car ferry! Throughout most of the journey, this vessel was crammed with what seemed like the population of France and Italy combined, but eventually we found our niche in the diesel-scented air under the canopy at the stern of the ship, from where we watched the weather go by.

 

 

Don't you love it when it rains bubbles?

Hotel Art 14 - Stresa

There is nothing whatsoever on the wall in our room - unless you count the fire directions - but the rest of the hotel more than makes up for this in the public areas. Here in a corner of the lobby, we are treated to a 12ft hexagonal table with five enormous pieces of silver upon it. This is set in front of a 20ft wide mural, spanning the area between two columns. Elsewhere there are similarly extravagant pieces, a stained glass dome and plenty of gold here and there.

Interesting really, for our room is decorated in quite a spartan fashion, which contrasts strongly with the crystal chandeliers and the opulence elsewhere. It's a kind of "fur coat, no knickers" approach, I think.