This Evening In The Garden

  
  Well, we've been back home in California for two weeks now.
  Tough? Yes....but thankfully the garden has been my touchstone, as always.
 
  It's always hard to come back from two months in Umbria, and this year it's especially true. Now that we have our own place to return to, we just can't wait to go back, and kind of wonder why we can't just stay there.
  Upside, the gallery is doing great, we have already seen Mom & Dad, and gone to the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art to see the amazing Matisse/Diebenkorn show.
  It's been a very busy two weeks, and we do love this side of our lives, too...of course.
 
  But...for me...it's the garden that has made all the difference in this transition.
  After the first real winter of rain in a decade, the garden is in her glory. I thank my garden guru, Pedro, as much as the rain. I can't imagine what a jungle it would be if not for him.
  His attention to detail is supreme, and the garden has never looked better.
  Pedro, dear friend, you ROCK.
 
  I have spent several hours over the last two weeks, between work and all, doing some puttering myself. Picking roses, cutting back this and that, planting tomatoes....just getting in there and getting dirt under my nails.
  It's everything to me.
  It's what I need to get connected here again.

  So, when we got home late from work at the gallery tonight, I walked out back and just breathed in the evening beauty... Thank you, dearest Garden...You may be small, but you are oh-so-mighty.


  I'll just let the pictures tell the story.
 

Visiting Isola Polvese

  Since our time here in Umbria is coming to an end(at least this visit), we are choosing some last things we want to do before we go.
  A couple of days ago, we woke to a banner day. Warm, clear and gorgeous. Seemed perfect for a hike around Isola Polvese, the largest of the three islands of Lago Trasimeno. We try to do this every year, so off we went to catch the boat from San Feliciano.

  You can catch different boats from different spots around the lake, each area serves different island destinations. For Isola Plovese, you need to go from San Feliciano, a charming village not far from us.
  We waited with four other people. Nice.

The island is in the background...a ten minute boat ride.

  We always enjoy a boat ride! And when the lake is like glass, even better.

  Johnny was happy he didn't need to bring a load of painting gear. He's done this many times here. This trip, work is over and it's just a nice day on the lake.

Happy husband!

San Feliciano from the boat.

I couldn't resist a little Italian pride.

 

  Once on the island, we just took off hiking up towards the top. Perfect walking weather, for sure.

A little cloud cover made it not too warm.

  I was keen to see if the old aqautic pond area was open to the public this year. It hasn't been for some time. I snuck in once, years ago...but never got to see it again.
  Until now-Yes, the gate was open! No sneaking around! Plus, we were the only people there. Lots of frogs and lizards...and us.

  I found this informatiom online:

"  The Garden of the Aquatic Plants: it was built in 1995 thanks to the architectural and functional recovery, cared by the Province of Perugia, of a unique swimming pool designed in 1959 by Peter Porcinai, one of the greatest Italian architects of the landscape. Mr. Porcinai devised a swimming pool (maximum depth 5.30 mt.) built into the rock and fed by the waters of Trasimeno Lake which, subject to special filtering techniques, achieve a high degree of transparency. "

  There is a peacefulness here that is so magical. The frogs, the water lillies, the reflections in the clear water. I loved it as much as the first time I saw it.
  All the water plants keep the pools so clear...

  I could totally imagine myself spending an hour or two here, sunbathing and taking little dips in the pool. Who wouldn't?

Especially nice with the view of the lake down below. Sigh.

  Of course, there is a perfect spot to get all naked and soak up sunshine..No, I did not, sadly.
  Another day, perhaps.

Where's my towel?

  Later, we headed up a little further to enjoy a simple 'torta al testo', a sandwich made on specific bread found in this region. We had it with grilled veg at the little hostel on the hill.
  Then, more hiking.

What a day!

  A few moments from the hike-

  Here comes the little boat. Ready to shuttle us back to the mainland.
 

  It was a great way to spend one of our last days here, for sure. So much to do before we leave, but we know we'll return as soon as we can.