Lake Maggiore, the Storm after the Calm.

My predictions from yesterday came to fruition; as yesterday evening wore on the clouds steadily built up and late on we were treated to a magnificent thunderstorm.  At one point the storm was immediately overhead and thunder cracked and reverberated all around as only a mountain storm can accompanied by amazing lightning flashes.  By the early hours the storm had passed over, the lake surrounding our tent drained away and the skies clear.  Sadly though this morning the weather had changed and we woke to grey, cloudy skies with the mountains just grey shadows. The lake was very choppy and sounded like the tide was coming in.  We returned to Cerro to visit the ceramics museum.  Very interesting - housed in a 16th century palace complete with frescoes.  The displays of pottery were largely not to my taste, although I really enjoyed some.  The exhibits of sanitary ware  toilets, pissoires and bidets were impressive and amusing; Marcel Duchamp eat your heart out.  After shopping we spent the afternoon being, not doing.  Unfortunately in the evening the rain really set in with gale force winds roaring down the lake from the mountains.  Hopefully we shall have a reasonable pack up tomorrow.  Looks like an umbrella may be handy!!

Cerro

The ceramic Museum, Cerro

Marcel Duchamp eat your heart out.

Ceramic Museum,  Cerro

Ceramic Museum Cerro.

Nuthatch bringing food to chicks in the tree above our tent.

Nuthatch feeding chicks

The Harbour Cerro.