Middle-aged flash packers

Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo sound much more romantic but they are basically called Big Lake and Little Lake. Not terribly imaginative but there you go.

We decided an 8 mile potter to the lakes was in order today, rather than another 14 mile, 900m of ascent, hiking marathon.

I have developed a rather revolting rash on both legs, just above my ankles. I googled it and it’s called sock rash or exercise induced purpua. It’s due to walking in the heat with socks on and is most common in women over 50. It’ll go in about 2 weeks apparently. Well great, yet another wonderful addition to the tribulations of being a post menopausal woman.

It looks so horrible that I seriously considered wearing trousers on our walk in case I made the style conscious Italians sick, but seeing the temperature was going to get up to 30degrees I reconsidered.

Resplendent in my shorts and purpua, Steve and I struck out for the lakes. Not too much to report other than Sunday is a big day for folks round here and they love spending it at the lake. It was nice – lots of shady woodland and a bit of road walking interspersed with people barbecuing, old people snoozing and boys showing off doing somersaults into the lake.

Our return walk took us through the Centro Storico of Avigliana which is very pretty.

Tonight we decided to eat out and enjoy the delights of Piedmont cuisine. Hmm… honestly? Don’t bother. My meal was very bland although the myrtle pana cotta was extremely good. I know I’m on my own here but quite frankly I’m generally underwhelmed by Italian food. No veg, no spice, lots of carbs and not much else. And prices are definitely on the up: our meal cost us €80.

Give me Buffalo Grill any day.