(not necessarily in that order)
The rain finally stopped and I was able to go for a walk in the neighborhood.
This time I went uphill from our apartment and took photos on the way down.
I love noticing how the vista changes when viewed from different elevations.
Right now we’re temporary residents of Castagnola, a village just north of Lugano. It’s not so high up Monte Bre, making it much more convenient than Aldesago, where we stayed in 2019 and again last year. The view from Aldesago was amazing, but driving up and down the mountain every day got a little old.
This year we’re on the second floor (out of six) of the apartment building, facing the mountain instead of the lake. So no view, but we got a lot more space for the money (which makes a huge difference when you’re staying someplace for a month).
These photos that I took on the way to caffè and brioche this morning will give you an idea of the neighborhood.
I’m getting so much enjoyment out of these neighborhood discoveries that I have to share a few more. But hopefully this phase won’t last too long. 😂
I’m getting back into a walking routine — building momentum before next week’s bone marrow transplant — and really enjoying the variety of charming sights in the neighborhood.
From little fairytale houses to unfamiliar trees to canine rest stops, it’s all quite delightful.
We’re liking our temporary new neighborhood a lot.
It can’t compare with the Village in terms of quiet and nature, but hasn’t been that difficult of an adjustment.
There are lots of trees and many front yards are filed with flowers. I was a little sad at leaving my garden behind, so I ended up bringing two of the “deer-chomped” lantana plants with me. I figured they could do with some TLC in a gentler environment, plus I can putter around with them during the weeks that I have to stick close to home.
Well, as it turns out, there’s a huge bush of the exact same lantana plant just up the street from us! Very encouraging.
And finally, there’s a neighborhood cat who’s completely at home on the back deck. It comes pretty much every day and makes itself comfortable, even trying to come inside at one point (which we firmly discouraged).
