The Piano Grande and More Orchids

It was a cloudy morning but Linda put together a lovely picnic lunch and we set off for a drive through the Sibilini National Park.  It rained but that didn't put off we doughty orchid hunters.  There were spectacular views despite the inclement weather and loads of  wonderful flowers including narrow leaved helleborine, mountain pansy, saxifrages and man: guard dogs which padded steadily round the flock and more familiar herding dogs.  There were also horses and fields prepared for the planting of crops, mainly lentils which form the basis for a specialty local meal.  We called in at the local centre of Norcia, birthplace of Saint Benedict for shops and ice cream before a late return to the Casale Cocchinella for pasta with asparagus, wine and looking at photographs of the day.

Sheep flock and map of Italy on the Piano Grande.

St Benedict, Norcia.

Norcia with storm clouds beyond.

Monkey Orchid.