Last Day of the Season

Arriving in Stresa, I managed to catch the last tourist boat out to the islands on the last day of the tourist season before they shut down for winter.

More from Lake Maggiore

How pretty?

9.5/10.

Lily in a Pond on an Island in a Lake

On Lake Maggiore is the beautiful island of Isola Bella. In fact, I've repeated myself because Islola Bella means beautiful island.

Above UWA in 1954

Taken from the commemorative book produced on the occasion of the Queen's visit to Western Australia in 1954.

Viva Italia

Lake Como in autumn. What a dump.

Sorry for Watering my Neighbour

This is an apology to my neighbour who was apparently hosed on Saturday. When watering my hanging baskets late on Saturday, I did check for any neighbours resting quietly on their chairs on the back patio next door. With no sign of anyone outside I starting hosing against the fence and immediately heard a female shriek from next door. Plenty of spray hit her. I naturally fled to the other side of my house to hide until she'd gone inside.

Despite minor guilt, I now feel we're even. Every morning she drives her 4WD across my front verge, ripping up the lawn just to save 20 metres from her commute. So she deserves a minor hosing once in a while.

What Era Are You Living In?

Courtesy of the New York Times, this chart shows that my lack of a dishwasher, air conditioning and a clothes dryer puts me somewhere in the late 1960s compared to the average American. I am also hoping that electrification will reach my suburb soon.

Source: NYT

Italian Timeslip

In quaint Menaggio, having a wonderful pasta lunch in this café, I felt transported back to the 1950s, as I played Candy Crush on my iPhone.

More of Lake Clooney

Despite best efforts, Mr Clooney was not sighted.

Lago Di Como

Returning to my Italian roadtrip at the end of last year, he is a wintry view of Lake Como from Varenna, as I was waiting for the ferry to Menaggio and Varenna.

Meet Joey

This young orphan was being cared for by a friend.

Splat

Here's Jo-Wilfred Tsonga's double-handed backhand. Of all the Jo-Wilfred's I know, he's the one with the best hair.

0.2 Seconds Later

Having launched the ball, she now floats gracefully above the court. My serving action is similar to hers, although my undies remain hidden.

A Serve of Alize Cornet

From the Hopman Cup in January, this is the serve of French number one Alize Cornet.

Why Haven't I Blogged?

Because after my ankle surgery on 10th February, it was too uncomfortable sitting at a desk until recently.

Firenze

Firenze's tower is ridiculously tall. Not elegant but still impressive for its audacity.

Walking into Positano

And here is the sight as arrived in Positano when I hopped off the bus from Sorrento.

Positano

Still reliving my recent trip to Italy, this is the view at sunset from my Positano hotel.

Christmas is Still Here

...at my house at least. I'm sitting here at my desk, surrounded by snowmen. Although I finished my last mince pie on Saturday, the final Christmas pudding (thanks Heston) was cooked last night and it will last several more days. And I saw Christmas lights up outside a nearby house as recently as last week.

Unidentified Italian Village

Moody Cinque Terre

While eating delicious pasta in a cafe, I took this shot.

Cinque Terre

One of the colourful fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. I think it's Vernazza.

My Cioccolata Calda

A nice spot to sip a hot chocolate and watch the sun set over Siena's central piazza.

Siena's Torre del Mangio

In the Piazza del Campo.

Approaching El Vaticano