I have finally re-booked my hair appointment that I had cancelled as it fell on the day after "The Accident".  I stopped in today after work and spoke to the owner.  I told her that I hadn't been to the hairdresser since autumn and she was horrified.  She said, and I quote, "Madam!  In Italy that simply will not do!".  I said yes, I knew, and that I had to cover my gray as it makes me look much older than my 39 years.  She cocked a perfectly plucked brow at me.  Well then!  I should have pulled up my trousers and showed her my unshaven legs or taken off my shoes to reveal my callouses and, horrors, unpainted toe nails!

Damn, this is NOT a good look.

The view from the top

Melting snow created hundreds of waterfalls

Yesterday I went for a hike in Parco Paradiso with B, my German friend, and her 9 year old son.  Parco Paradiso, the oldest national park in Italy, is in the mountains towards Switzerland.  We had a lovely, though very steep walk, up past the tree line to see the last of the remaining snow because that is what our youngest hiker requested.  He also wanted to see an "Alpine ibex" and we did!  Or we saw a mountain goat which is in the same family but smaller.  The ibex have the long curved horns.  The little one we saw had short straight horns.  He was much friskier up there than I was.  By the time we spotted him, my calves were throbbing and I was short of breath.

Less than 3 weeks and we're home!  xxoo me