Lake Como

At Varenna walked down to the Port and stopped to admire the view- lovely.  Checked out the ferry times and decided we had enough time to relax and have a drink and some pizza in a restaurant overlooking the lake.
Then headed for the ferry - only 20 minute ride to Bellagio - such a beautiful place. Our Hotel " Splendide" was directly opposite the ferry terminal so did not have to go far.  Nice Hotel - very old worldly - showing it's age a bit - but still quite grand looking.  Our room had a view overlooking the lake - very lovely.
Went for a walk around the area, to get our bearings, then after a rest headed out to sit by the lake and have some refreshments and work out what we would do over the next few days. As the evening went on - the people at the next table joined us in conversation - turns out they were from Melbourne - Patterson lakes.  We got on well - then next morning we met them again and we decided to go on a boat tour together - including a visit to a local Villa - it turned out to be a lovely day.  They were leaving the next day to go to Munich.  We decided to go to Como for a day trip (again by boat). Another nice day weather wise, longer boat ride - went past many lovely towns along the lake.  Como was a large town - it was a bit quiet, being Monday a lot was closed- and the shops that were opened closed at 3.  But we had a good look around the medieval part of town - some lovely old buildings - then had a nice lunch at a little restaurant we found - I had a warm mixed salad - which turned out to be all seafood ( mostly squid, octopus, mussels) not a salad leaf in sight. Andrew had a              
We eventually headed back to the boat . On the return trip most people seemed more interested in finding George Clooneys house, than looking at the view!
Went for a drink by the lake - and found a band setting up to play live music.. So we decided to stay - They were a strange looking group of older guys - one seated (he appeared to be blind and not too healthy) man with him looked like his minder.  A short guy set up the equipment and another was standing behind a keyboard. Well - when they started singing everyone was amazed - such great voices.  The minder came around asking for requests - he then went back to the lead singer, told him the song - flicked through a large folder to find the song - then he plonked it in front of the singer and went and sat down - when someone new arrived at a table - he did the same thing. The singer smoothly went from one song to another - while playing the keyboard or backing tapes. keyboard. They took it in turns singing and they all sounded so good, fantastic voices.....a great night.

Next day we decided to do a long walk all around the town and surrounding villages.  So many stairs up an down and long winding roads - we saw so many hidden places that we would not have seen otherwise. Beautiful little fishing village, Grand Villas, olive groves, churches - large and tiny, beaches (pebbles and stones, no sand) some traditional old boats, even a very old gondola.  Such a long walk - but very good.
We had dinner at a lovely little restaurant we had found the day before - overlooking the water.....
We shared a Caprese salad and I had ravioli with spinach and ricotta and a glass of sparkling rose and for dessert a lovely chocolate fondant.
I think Andrew had pasta with a meat sauce followed by Grappa.