After a few days of cooler weather, rain , thunder and lightening, summer has arrived in Monforte with avengence. We have had top temperatures of 30 degrees plus with many more to follow……apparently!

Last Sunday we were planning to go for a drive , and of course, “do lunch”. We did our “usual” and headed up to the Square for a coffee, then came home to get ready to leave. We noticed that the road was blocked and people were sitting along the road. What the…….. we wondered!

It was a bike race that did laps of our village FOR OVER ONE HOUR! So eventually we were able to leave! The restaurant which we “lunched” at was different to say the least! It was a set menu with 9 courses……yes 9 , with a pichet of red wine , and the cost was 52 euros in total! There were 5 appetizers, 2 pastas, one main and dessert! Needless to say no dinner was eaten that night!

We stopped at Mombacaro (left) a cute little village , and of course the ABC count continues to rise! The one on the right in Belvedere Langhe dates back to the 15th Century.

We partook of another walk, although this one tended to take us more along the road than through the vineyards. Greg still had some fun with his camera though!

The scenery of the hills and vineyards still amazes us. Hope you are not getting too bored by all these vineyard photos!

This walk took us past Osteria Rebbi where we had dinner last week, so it gave us the opportunity to take a photo!

With the cooler weather, the Alps re appeared for a few days and Mount Viso was back in full splendour.

Now however, you would not know they were there as they have disappeared in the heat haze again.

We had a great day yesterday and visited the town of Acqui Terme, about 80 kilometres away. It was a town founded by the Romans. In the main square, Piazza della Bollente, you find the amazing natural spring called The Bollente. It gushes from a fountain at a temperature of 75 degrees C at 560 litres per minute! How’s those stats????

 

 

It is “said to have” healing powers for all different ailments , so of course Greg tried it on his knees! So far it has made NO difference!

 

 

The Cathedral (yep ABC ) was consecrated in 1067. It was closed ( for lunch) , but apparently is quite spectacular inside. We will never know.

Piazza Italia has some beautiful 16th and 17th Century buildings.

 

 

Of course no day trip is complete without a rest stop for Greg’s knees and refreshments! This one was up there on our list, the snacks were sensational!

 

We have been eating well , the waistlines are proof, and have now sampled our pasta from Nonna and Nonno! It was as we thought it would be……..bloody delicious, and we washed it down with A glass of red! Does anyone wish to dine at Osteria Robertos??????

We still frequent the wine bars in our village! Not toooooooo often though!

The Barolo Bar is one of our favourites though! We may head down there tonight as Italy are playing in the UEFA Euro 2016 ( Or the European Football  Comp) so it may be a “hot time in Monforte” tonight.

We have to behave though as early tomorrow we head off to Milan for a couple of days and maybe some shoe shopping for Rhonda!

Hope  all you Melbournites are not getting too cold and wet! That is the  only thing we are NOT looking forward to when we come home!

Yep it is that time again!

Lots of love to all

Greg and Rhonda

xxx