To ASSISI (Wed 3 June)

From here to Assisi, about a 2 hr drive. Stopped along the way beside Lago di Trasimeno and ate the panforte that we bought in Siena. Quite a pretty lake, but I wouldn’t want to swim there. The water is positively murky, but the locals seem to fish there.

Found our accommodation in Assisi relatively easily. This is our first time in a so called hostel. It is still a private room with private bathroom, but there is a communal area for eating etc. It is only a 5 minute walk into the Basilica, inside the walled city. So after settling in we walked up and had a pre-emptive prowl in the dark. On our way back home (home is where our backpacks are) we saw what we think must have been fireflies. We haven’t seen them before but they were lighting up the Olive groves (beside where we were walking) like Christmas lights. Very pretty in the dark and so unexpected. What a great way to end another great day.

We think we’re going to like this place. Such a welcome respite, without the bustle of Florence, without the commercialism of Tuscany, we are now in Umbria.