Travelling around the countryside

August 12, 2023

Friday 11th August 2023

After our big night, we had arranged to go into Castelraimondo this morning to buy somethings from cousin Sara's shop. She is Gianfranco and Patrizia's daughter. Apparently there was a market on as well and this was a drawcard.

Paul and I went in one car, Ben and Izzy in another followed Carmine and Tizziana in theirs.

OK but pretty much like every other market, shoes, jewelery toys and clothes.

Intrepid shoppers

We found some lovely things at Sara's shop and of course we then needed coffee and cake including gluten bloody free @#$% stuff. Normal people got jam crostada and cream filled croissants while I got stuff in packets. (Pity party moment)

We all went our separate ways to explore and Paul and I headed to Pioraco, a little town between Castelraimondo and Sefro. It is surrounded by amazing cliffs and mountains made of stone. Very spectacular and my photos do not do it justice at all.

Pioraco is apparently the Paper capital of Italy. Famous for its paper factory I think.

We stopped for for lunch at a bar where the person actually spoke English but there was nothing gluten-bloody-free. I had a ham and cheese sandwich sans bread. Mmm yum.

Paul lost his phone and panicked a little trying to find it. Luckily the nice bar lady found it in the bar. All good

Then back to our room for a siesta, (when in Rome or thereabouts, do as the Romans do)

We had arranged to have drinks and antipasto with Ben and Izzy and Carmine and Tizziana at the hotel outside under the trees. But a last minute change meant we had dinner alongside the river on lovely outdoor tables across from a salumeria (or deli).

They were lovely, spoke some english and provided amazing platters. I got my very own gluten-bloody-free one with corn chips instead of bread. One of my better gluten-bloody-free food experiences.

our group

Their platter

My platter

Thank good ness i can still drink wine, (not too much as not good for me or balance)

Interestingly, Paul fell off his seat and landed in the gutter after moving to help the waiter. (I do not judge). He was very brave and insisted he was fine despite blood and bruising.

And then of course we all went off to dinner, completely unnecessarily.

Paul, Ben and Izzy and I went back to the hotel to have something little. In the end we had 4 main meals and then additional green vegetable. So much food.

While we were dining, the couple behind us appeared to have a big fight with the woman storming off leaving drinks etc. Caused much commotion with waiters and waitresses who knew the people.

However, the highlight of the meal was the black truffle which is very common in this area. Ben's pasta had truffle which was grated onto his food. I had trout with truffle and i also got heaps.