Tremezzo

Last Sunday was the Burgers last full day in Italy.  The Lees held the Burgers going away dinner at the Mission Home.  At 4:45 am Monday morning we loaded up the Burgers in the van and took them to the airport.  I think we will miss them more than anyone else in the mission field.  They had a very physical job that we must now take do.  Wednesday was scheduled as moving day for the new apartment.  Everyone in the Lampungano district gets to move.  Sisters to the Elders apartment.  One set of Elders to the Sisters apartment and the other set of Elders to the new apartment. So Tuesday we had to shop for more new apartment stuff that we forgot plus all of the stuff that we need to take care of the Merate and Muggio apartment.  We also went back to the new apartment to meet the landlord and pick up the key for the gas.  We still do not have any power!  So we cancelled the moving day and Wednesday we hauled kitchen stuff and new wardrobes to Merate and Muggio.  Back to the office in the afternoon to catch up.  Thursday was shopping for lunch for 44 at Mission Council on Friday.  Peg made Taco Salad and it was a bit hit. Peg conducts the auto training and I supervise the car inspections for all drivers. It is great to see all of the zone leaders and Sister Training leaders from the whole mission.  Another day with only a couple of hours in the office.

During the week we found out the Sisters in Como are having health problems potentially from mold. Two of their mattresses had mold on them so we took them some clean mattresses.  We were in Como for the 2nd Saturday in a row and were not quite sure what to do.  We drove up along the western shore where we had not been before.  What a beautiful drive.  Tiny narrow twisting road that is very scary at times.We stopped in Tremezzo which is a small village just across the lake from Bellagio.  Very Scenic.

Just north of Tremezzo is Villa Carllota -  A large 19th century mansion with fabulous gardens.

It is right across the tiny road from the lake.

We walked up to the entrance and there was this large tree on the lake side of the road where 5 or 6 old folks were painting the scenery.  I think it was an art class.

Inside the Villa gate in front of the mansion is this fountain.

And several tiny palm trees

The grounds were fabulous.

A creek running down from the mountain.

Inside the villa were wonderful rooms furnished and painted as it would have been back in the day.

This is the center hall on one of the upper floors.

Looking down from a upper floor window toward the back.

The nursery

Dinning Room.  Check out the bread plates? on the left of the dinner plate.

The chairs in some of the room had some interesting carvings

This guy is not happy

Back out in the garden on the other end of the villa

That is Bellagio across the lake.

One of the water features - yes those are turtles.

We then walked down to Tremezzo to find lunch.  Across the road from the largest hotel is their sunning deck and even a swimming pool floating in the lake.

Here is where we ate lunch. I had manacotti, and Peg had penne with smoked salmon and arugula.  Mine was very good - hers was fabulous.  I think it is the best pasta dish I have ever had!  She was very kind and let me swap plates with her half way through.

A view of where we ate from across the road.

Interesting water fountain 

We then walked back to the van, Here are parking stalls for the big fancy hotel.  These lifts go down several levels to store more cars.

A view of the Villa garden from a closed gate.  If you look close you will see the statues are all giant garden gnomes spewing water.

A fancy "executive " scooter with a roll cage and seat belts.

Here is the tree where the painters were busy creating art.

We got back to our van, the grey van parked correctly and blocked by the larger van.  This is Italian parking.  We banged on the white van for a while and eventually a guy came and moved is so we could leave.  Italy is great!