Lake Maggiore in the sun.

After our meal last night it was enjoyable to sit drinking wine and watching the lights come on around the lake in the gathering twilight. Lots of photographs taken which I still need to process. It was also fascinating to watch the build up of immense towering cumulonimbus clouds towards Lugano and Como. As it got darker they were constantly lit from within by huge flashes of lightening from electric storms. There was no thunder to be heard at all. We expected a storm ourselves during the night but we were to be spared.
I woke early this morning for the usual reason and made the most of the inconvenience by photographing the beautiful, warm and soft early light on the lake. I then retired to the sleeping bag for another hour before enjoying a lazy breakfast in the sun. The custard filled pastries with breakfast coffee are to die for!! Did I have a waistline? ;-)
After breakfast and washing up it was great fun sitting watching and photographing the frequent visits of the nuthatches as they brought food back to their chicks. Time now, however, to decide what to do for the day. It's a tough life!!!
Decision made we set off for Laveno and the ferry over to to Intra and thence a lake cruise around the gulf of Borromeo and its islands, especially Isola Bella complete with the Borromeo palace and gardens. The boat trip was fabulous: wonderful light and stunning views of spectacular mountains and delightful towns and villages lining the shores. We were blessed with warm sunny temperatures, blue skies with just the right amount of cloud to make photography interesting. Our first port of call was Isola Bella. The island is an old town with many twisting and narrow lanes linked with steps. The palace is ornately Italianate, part palace, part cathedral. There are still private apartments and gardens that the family use when they visit. The gardens are fabulous, at this time of year replete with azaleas. Wonderful terracotta pots are everywhere and I even found a superb displaying white peacock. He was actually making a challenge to a rival, but uninterested, male. I was fascinated by the way he noisily vibrated his tail feathers in his emotional frenzy.
Once we had our fill of palace and gardens we jumped on the ferry to nearby Isola Superiore. Similar in many ways to Isola Bella, although without palace and gardens but, to me, preferable. Perhaps this was down to the cold beer I was persuaded to enjoy. All too soon it was time to rejoin the ferry for the return to Intra and the car ferry back to Laveno before our parking ticket ran out. Returning to our campsite it was suddenly extremely windy. Katabatic winds? We opted for a pizza in the campsite restaurant as the supermarket was closed and we found ourselves low on food. Just returned to the tent and thankfully the wind has died down. Now looking forward to tomorrow.

Campsite azalea.

Laveno

Ferry approaching Laveno.

Isola Superiore.

The Borromeo Palace, Isola Bella.

Boats Isola Bella.

Looking back to Isola Superiore.

Azalias Isola Bella.

White Peacock, Isola Bella Gardens.

Peacock

Gardens, Isola Bella.

Poppies Isola Bella.