Eight

A WEDDING AND A GELLATO
I am tanning alright and maybe lost .001 grammes of weight. With all the mountain climbing I did and the way my thighs hurt, I thought I was en route to sleek legs and then came the cheese. 
And the bread loaded with olive oil. After the excellent cruise to Monterosso, a feast to the eyes, we returned to the room and the Indians decided to stay in and we had hot as in spicy Bisi Bele Bhat, thanks to MTR. A little Greek yoghurt from the super market soothed our collective nerves. 
There was a washing machine and there were clothes and there was a clothes drying system with a pulley, apparently known as a Pulleymaid. Oh, I have been wanting to use this since I saw a painting of a bunch of women looking out from their colourful, flower growing balconies, apron and caps on. They are all smiling and gossiping while their wash hangs across the street in this system. You hang on one line and pull the top one, till you cover this line with clothes. 
Clothes got washed but since there was no dryer, we hung them on the line, but the dew fell in the morning and we are now carrying a wet load of clean clothes looking for a sunny place to dry them. 
Those that could be ironed, have already been packed. We then cleaned up as much as we could and then left the key behind the door. 
We have now driven into a small fort en route to Sarzana. After climbing the very small fort, we drove into Sarzana town for breakie of salty foccacia bread stuffed with aubergines, tomatoes and such, had coffee. Pets at cafes are very common and normally are friendly. Including the bambinos in prams. All smiling and friendly.
Bruno took us to the most charming little bakery (photos are many) which has been in place since 1934. Hence has a Baroque look, with painted ceilings, marble staircase and three different rooms with the most fabulous array of bakery items.  The Drogheria Pasticeria earlier was a home in 1600 which got converted into this sweet little bakery. 
We then lazily walked into another larger piaza after crossing a massive church and lots of clothes shops having a 50% sale. We went and sat here to see that couple who had got married in the church were now getting their marriage registered and they came out for a family photograph. They did not offer us wine or cake.... 
We then walked back, happened upon a cafe selling gellato and sat to enjoy this melting wonder in the crispiest of cone. 
Then we drove into Voltera under a searing sun. 

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