Cow transport

Lovely, lovely day.  We left the haze and smog about 20 miles off the highway at Pinerolo and headed up into gorgeous blue sky and a soft breeze.  There were still a lot of mountain flowers blooming; wild Bachelor Buttons, Salvia, funny little Crocus things, Yarrow and Pin Cushions.  It was also moving day for the cows left to wander the mountains for summer vacation.  We didn't see many but could hear the herds as they all wear huge bells around their necks so as not to get lost.  They sounded like brass bands passing beneath us.  We had a glimpse of one small herd walking slowly along down the mountain paths.  The cows are heading back to their winter quarters in the countryside outside of Torino to make wonderful cheeses for me.  Walking was a little hazardous because there were cow patties everywhere.  I mostly managed to avoid them but did stomp in a nice big one just as we were getting to the "refugio" , (hut), where we stop and eat lunch.  My boots are now drying out on the balcony.

Outside the hut

When we go to the mountains, GP always wears orange and carries an orange backpack so that should he fall in a ravine he'll be seen by the rescue helicopter.  I will blend in with the background and die a miserable, lonely death.

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 We noticed this porta potty in the almost dry riverbed on the way back down the mountain.  Dunno.

On the road home we stopped to pick up a couple things at the Eataly in Pinerolo.  If one has never heard of Eataly check this out:  http://www.eataly.com/

Eataly is an experience.  The first store was opened in Torino in 2007.  The owner lives in the wine region hereabouts and sells only the top quality, locally made products.  I could spend a whole lotta time and money in these shops.  We stopped because it's one of the few places we can find fresh, spinach pasta which we plan on serving tomorrow at lunch to Nonna.  This next week is their town's Patron Saint's Day and a special lunch is a big deal.  The baton has been passed on to me now that Aldo is gone.

self explanatory

I'm now off to do some cleaning for the mother-in-law tomorrow.  She may be old but she has eyes like a hawk.  ooxx me