AT PLAY

For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers

Officially dying and going to heaven…

Having consumed half our body weight in the creamiest Risotto, lamb racks and fish followed by the smoothest Brûlée, a rich berry mousse and all washed down with a lovely white or two from the local region…thanks to the administrations of Fabrizio our waiter in a delightful little restaurant overlooking Lake Como…it’s declared official. We’ve died and gone to heaven!

20110523-062414.jpgStarted the day gazing at the sun glistening on the lake over fresh juice, eggs and pastries before boarding the quite delectable Marco’s boat…Fifi and Pixie think he may be Ducky’s gift to Bella for it’s her birthday tomorrow. Our gorgeous captain who will cruise us up to Como, down to Bellagio then over to Crotto dei Platani our lakeside restaurant where, surrounded by 1,200 meter high mountains, a spectacular view of the snow tipped Italian alps in the distance and the Swis20110523-063940.jpgs alps behind us, we will celebrate…Happy birthday Bella!

20110523-063809.jpgWe get the gos on celebs. George isn’t home. A ‘serious’ chap, Matt Damon a ‘funny’, Julia Roberts ‘crazy’, Jennifer Anniston and Angelina Jolie both in town at the same time? ‘awkward’, Brad’s kids? ‘too much’…

Also viewed Versace’s residence, the Opus Dei territory (re Da Vinci code) and the church where Mussolini was shot. As well, the Cardinal’s home where Padma and Anakin (Star Wars Episode II) marry, Bond annihilates his nemesis (Casino Royale) and w

20110523-063548.jpghere so many film segments have been shot we immerse in a major deja vu moment.

Richard Branson also has local digs, accessible only via water, beautifully manicured and we thought owning Necker Island and a spot of Noosa was pretty cool!

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Spend the remains of the day digesting in the sun by the pool, napping, having massages and swearing we can’t possibly eat dinner tonight for we are way too full…when suddenly Ducky cries out…hey! it’s already 5pm…we need to start planning dinner! Dicky busts his chair in his rush to assume the vertical position…

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We also toast Kent. He died this day – 23rd May, 2007. Enjoying the big seas dear friend.

 

 

Stalking George in Lake Como…

Sitting by a pool on the shores of Lake Como, sipping bubbles…as you do…absorbing the steep majestic mountains edging the long yet narrow deep green waters resplendent with small Yachts, water-skiers and a cautious duck or two and enjoying post rain shower fresh mountain air. The view is quite surreal and we’re all pinching ourselves!20110523-084335.jpg

Another splendid contrast. So far we’ve traversed the water highways and numerous little Venizian bridges, resided in medieval castles and climbed perilously steep cliff hugging steps on the Amalfi Coast; we’ve sailed across the Mediterranean, tip-toed across Pompeii’s ancient remains, leant against the ridiculously leaning Tower of Pisa, thrown coins in the Trevi Fountain and shuddered in deep, dark Catacombs.

We’ve gasped at rolling lush green pastures, mountains and valleys, stared incredulously at tiny homes attached to cliff sides, giggled at our concerted efforts and appalling command on the language, lit small candles in cathedrals in honour of our loved ones. We’ve also relived each day through choosing photos for this blog, effectively imprinting such experiences for future ruminating.

20110523-084343.jpgNow to explore this beautiful part of Italy, our last brush with the craziness of Italian drivers, the passion of the people, the food…oh the food!

As for stalking George Clooney? Admit we girls wouldn’t be adverse to a little innocent flirtation and after the near miss with Pierce Brosnan, celebrity radars are on full alert!

A stroll down to dine by the water side and watch twilight cast it’s spell as the water turns to indigo, enhancing the twinkling lights on the far shore that compete with the millions of fairy lights dripping from the branches above…inciting us to linger just a little longer…just enough time to imprint this new delightful memory…

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And getting lost in Venice…

Ducky’s desire to absorb the city’s history requires a cruise through the busy canals in a sexily sleek timber number. Suave, sophisticated, our snappy guide Johnno provides a running dialog extolling the virtues of the most impressive buildings, the wonders of Baroque architecture punctuated with enticing anecdotes on the city’s origins and initial business dealings, supported by a raft of interesting stats…

Now did you know that over 400 Gondolas jostle for supremacy, women just this year were granted approval to be Gondoliers, the buildings are founded on wood, soil and sand, there are 117 islands, 499 bridges…and… by days end we’ve personally, unintentionally traversed every single one of ’em!20110522-084432.jpg

Following the cruise we guess our way through the twists and turns of canals and busy alley ways to view the Santa Maria Della Salute cathedral only to find it doesn’t open for several hours…a perfectly good reason to substitute with a shop trawl while Pixie wanders the Peggy Guggenheim art gallery.

Dawdling our own way through markets filled with masks, Murano trinkets, striped gondolier shirts and more, Pix finds a stall selling cups of cool fresh berries and pineapple chunks topped with crisp Coconut chunks on ice, selects then sits awhile on the Pont de Rialto to watch the Venetian world go by…well the tourists actually…

And that’s when the fun started! Following in the footsteps of a myriad of fellow tourists we eventually make it home footsore and weary clutching maps ragged through extensive and anguished overuse and reward ourselves with the customary G&T. A robust pasta nosh followed by one last wistful view of the soft twilight, sleek, shiny black Gondolas and the calming aqua water…we realise we have indeed fallen in love for she is a most spectacularly intriguing city.

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