Well, since last time I wrote, (our bloody Tuesday), GP and I had a night out.  Thursday Grace had an overnight so we went to a wonderful restaurant in the center with some old friends.  It is one of the rare good fish places in the city and it is a nice change from pizza which is what we usually go out for.  Our friends recently lost their longtime dog and were very down.  In fact I think she may have been on some heavy medication as she kept falling asleep on her husband's shoulder when she wasn't telling us about how after weeks of watching her suffer he had agree to drive a couple hundred miles to see a dog, (they only have Scotties), that is for sale in Bresia.  Hope they get that dog....

Friday was a day at home as it was a teacher's workshop day and Grace had to study.  Finals are coming up next week and she is loaded down with work.  The weather is finally cooperating so after a month of rain I got out into our little garden to start my battle with ants and strange orange beetles.

Saturday, we three drove an hour plus north to Lago Maggiore, (literally translates as Lake Superior).  We headed for Stresa, an old summer haunt of the rich and famous from the 1800's.  It is gorgeous.  There are a few beautiful old "Grand Hotels" and lovely lakeside walks.  Parks are all along the water front.  We took a boat out to the two main islands, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori.  Isola dei Pescatori is small and very touristic.  Pretty but packed with people and too many shops and restaurants covering every square inch of the island.  But Isola Bella is still mostly privately owned by the Borromeo family who have owned it since the 1600's.  The palace is a museum and private home with fabulous gardens where I could easily spend hours. Unfortunately my family has had enough of museums and gardens for the year so they waited for me outside while I toured the property.  It was sunny and warm so they settled down in the park at the end of the island while I went through the palace - incredible - and then wandered through tiered gardens with flowers, citrus, herbs and very loud obnoxious peacocks.   I definitely need to return.  xxoo

Isola Bella from boat

So much rain parts of island under water

View from our picnic bench

no cars on the islands

One of the palace rooms.  These folks knew how to live.

Some of the hundreds of puppets used for shows for guests back in the day.

Many white peacocks in the gardens.  They are extremely loud and vociferous!

The damned peacocks gave this guy a headache.

Temple in the gardens.

In Stresa over looking Lago Maggiore

View from the house I want.