A change of scenery.

  A change is as good as a rest so they say. Well I did’nt really need a rest but I did need a change. A change of scenery, a change of pace, just a change.

  I do love it here in the mountains and I am aware that I have sounded a little down on the whole seasonaires lifestyle lately and despite being a little (??) negative about the people that I am surrounded by I am having a great time. But it is the little things sometimes, things that are not at all important in the grand scheme of things really. I knew before we came here what I was letting myself in for, I knew that it is a small place miles away from real civilisation, I knew it was a completely different lifestyle and I knew it would not always be plain sailing and I think deep down I knew it would be a challenge for me at times.

  It is a small place and that can start to feel a bit claustrophobic at times, same faces, same places. It feels like you are in a bubble sometimes.

  So what with it being hideously busy with half-termer’s we decided to get out of town for a few days, avoid the crowds and just check back in with the real world for a bit.

  And that is precisely what we did. We have just got back from Turin in Italy where we spent a few days away, it’s only 3 and a half hours drive from here and it was just what the doctor ordered. I have mentioned in the past about my love of Italy and being on the border here in Val it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

  Although Turin is at the foot of the Italian Alps it does not feel like a mountain town, it is a vibrant cosmopolitan city full of history, with amazing architecture, fabulous bars, café’s and restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums and not a bad spot for a little retail therapy either.

  I don’t really need to say it but the food and wine was incredible as usual, I don’t ever think you could eat badly in Italy and I don’t think I could ever tire of the amazing fare on offer.

  Turin is apparently also the birthplace of the ‘aperitif’, and they do it a way unlike anywhere else I have ever experienced. From 5 o’clock everyday the bars and café’s, housed in incredible old buildings under the archways in the grand piazza’s of the city, have what they call ‘aperitivo’ which basically means there is a charge of €6/7 each and you get a drink and a full on anti-pasti style buffet, odd but brilliant. Smoked meats, cheeses, roasted veggies, bruschetta, you name it, and everywhere was buzzing with people.  But obviously you have to be a little careful or you can just stuff yourself silly with this and ruin your dinner!!! But it really is a Turin institution all these places were busy, everyone was partaking and not in one place was the situation abused in any way, unlike a lot of places I can think of!!

  A change is as good as a rest so they say. Well I did’nt really need a rest but I did need a change. A change of scenery, a change of pace, just a change.

  I do love it here in the mountains and I am aware that I have sounded a little down on the whole seasonaires lifestyle lately and despite being a little (??) negative about the people that I am surrounded by I am having a great time. But it is the little things sometimes, things that are not at all important in the grand scheme of things really. I knew before we came here what I was letting myself in for, I knew that it is a small place miles away from real civilisation, I knew it was a completely different lifestyle and I knew it would not always be plain sailing and I think deep down I knew it would be a challenge for me at times.

  It is a small place and that can start to feel a bit claustrophobic at times, same faces, same places. It feels like you are in a bubble sometimes.

  So what with it being hideously busy with half-termer’s we decided to get out of town for a few days, avoid the crowds and just check back in with the real world for a bit.

  And that is precisely what we did. We have just got back from Turin in Italy where we spent a few days away, it’s only 3 and a half hours drive from here and it was just what the doctor ordered. I have mentioned in the past about my love of Italy and being on the border here in Val it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

  Although Turin is at the foot of the Italian Alps it does not feel like a mountain town, it is a vibrant cosmopolitan city full of history, with amazing architecture, fabulous bars, café’s and restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums and not a bad spot for a little retail therapy either.

  I don’t really need to say it but the food and wine was incredible as usual, I don’t ever think you could eat badly in Italy and I don’t think I could ever tire of the amazing fare on offer.

  Turin is apparently also the birthplace of the ‘aperitif’, and they do it a way unlike anywhere else I have ever experienced. From 5 o’clock everyday the bars and café’s, housed in incredible old buildings under the archways in the grand piazza’s of the city, have what they call ‘aperitivo’ which basically means there is a charge of €6/7 each and you get a drink and a full on anti-pasti style buffet, odd but brilliant. Smoked meats, cheeses, roasted veggies, bruschetta, you name it, and everywhere was buzzing with people.  But obviously you have to be a little careful or you can just stuff yourself silly with this and ruin your dinner!!! But it really is a Turin institution all these places were busy, everyone was partaking and not in one place was the situation abused in any way, unlike a lot of places I can think of!!

   So we spent 2 nights there, during the day we walked through the cobbled streets and ancient buildings, wandered alongside the winding river and strolled through the parks, stopped in the piazza’s for espresso and a spot of people watching (Italian men and their penchant for coloured trousers!! Particularly mustard and red!!!), generally soaked up the atmosphere and then in the evenings went for ‘aperitivo’ and then on to dinner. Fabulous! I should add at this point that we did not get rained on, which is a first!!!

  I must say I loved being back in the real world just for a bit, I think I needed it. But it is also great to be back up here now surrounded by the most beautiful natural scenery, although it did remind me of what I am missing.

   So we spent 2 nights there, during the day we walked through the cobbled streets and ancient buildings, wandered alongside the winding river and strolled through the parks, stopped in the piazza’s for espresso and a spot of people watching (Italian men and their penchant for coloured trousers!! Particularly mustard and red!!!), generally soaked up the atmosphere and then in the evenings went for ‘aperitivo’ and then on to dinner. Fabulous! I should add at this point that we did not get rained on, which is a first!!!

  I must say I loved being back in the real world just for a bit, I think I needed it. But it is also great to be back up here now surrounded by the most beautiful natural scenery, although it did remind me of what I am missing.