Thursday......an Excursion to Portofino before the weekend crowds (we hope)

 We have started to find a good rhythm with our evening rituals.  We have elected to not use the mosquito repellent 'device' in the power outlet as we suspect the result is not really good for bugs or humans!  We now have our air-conditioning up and running, so we shut the windows and cool things off.  It has made for great sleeping........and no bugs!

This morning we had a slightly different issue.  At about 8:00, the weekly grounds folks came by with a leaf blower........at 5 minutes past 8:00........so no sleeping in.  Fortunately they had finished the area around the villa by the time we were out on the terrace for breakfast.  So far, another beautiful day.  We are thinking of going to Portofino!  Four of our colleagues went yesterday when we were in Camogli/San Rocco........and had a great time.  They actually took the train to Santa Margherita and then a bus to Portofino, and came back by boat from Portofino to San Frutuoso, then a boat to Camogli, then the train to Bogliasco.  The car seems like a much simpler solution!  

Breakfast just for the two of us today!

Then Ivana stopped by the table to say that the tree crew was coming shortly to test one of the large pine trees for 'stability' and the possibility of being cabled back to a support.

Portofino

Crowded?

The crowds were not as bad as they could have been........but the huge cruise ship out in the Santa Margherita harbor was running continuous shuttle boats, and the impact was significant.  We managed to weave our way through things without a major 'collision', but on the way out (1/2 mile down the narrow road) there was a police barricade that was stopping all incoming private vehicle traffic........only allowing taxis through.  The parking capacity in Portofino had apparently maxed out and no more cars were allowed in without a confirmation of available parking!   We really lucked out by going in the morning!

Lunch

We ended up having a great lunch on a floating restaurant in the harbor.  The food was great and the wine nearly put us to sleep with the rocking of the platform........very relaxing!

Back to Bogliasco just Before 3:00........in time for the rain!

Glad we went to Portofino in the morning!  This weather was great for a late afternoon nap.

Danilo at the Bar serving apperitivi!

Sky seems to be clearing........good forecast for tomorrow!

E Oggi, il mercato in Camogli.......the end of the month!

The wonderful weather continues to roll on........although I am sure we are going to be jinxed from this statement!  A group decided last night (Stephanie, Rick, Svetlana and Denise) to head out to Portofino this morning, by way of the train to Camogli and a boat to Portofino.  We decided at breakfast that we (the two of us and Joan) to go to Camogli by car and visit the bi-monthly antiques (and produce) market.  Today is also the day our room gets cleaned and we get new towels!!!!! so we are getting ready to clear out by 10:00 (in 15 minutes!)

Ciao for now!

Back again now that we are in Camogli........crazy difficult to find a parking space, but finally did.  The market was quite expansive and we wondered for quite a while, finally down at the beachside/harbor promenade.  We checked into our favorite cafe for a cappuccino! But starting off, here is a shot of the hotel we stayed at a few years ago (2018).......nice location on the water......Cenobio dei Dogi. 

Then the market........set up along the main street leading down to the water.  (haha, Andrea and Joan do not like this first photo!)

In the picture above, the church (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta) appears to be getting ready for some new plaster and paint.  These are the samples......we think!

Then off we went up the mountainside to San Rocco for lunch!  It was amazing to watch a summer storm come in to the north.  We were fortunate enough to just be on the edge.......with only a few raindrops.

It turns out that the bar we wanted to have lunch at did not open until 4:00 on weekdays......so we wandered back to a place in the center of this small 'hamlet' and decided to try it for lunch.  It turned out to be absolutely perfect and was clearly the choice of the locals.  We were lucky to get an outside table.......and saw the storm running across to the north of us. 

After negotiating the twisting ride back (albeit two glasses of wine which may not have been the best approach) we arrived safely at Villa dei Pini just in time for a welcome nap.  Around 5:00 I headed out to 'wake up' a bit and go for a swim down at the beach.  It is probably not fair to call it a beach, but rather a scenic assembly of rocks that are extraordinarily painful on your feet!  In any case, I found myself weaving through the high school crowd again, but the water was amazingly refreshing.  The best thing I packed for this trip were my flip flops.......life savers!

and back home for dinner!