It was a slow and lazy start to the day, brought to life by trying out the 'shower machine' as Michelle has nicknamed the tardis like box. The hydrotherapy system sends out needle like jet sprays at your body - the initial reaction is to defend yourself from this skin tearing water torture, but you soon relax and go numb. it lights itself up with multi couloured LED lights, and assualts you on all sides with water, in a very small space. You step out of the shower knowing you can programme the dials again tomorrow for your choice of thrill.

Feeling assaulted (otherwise known as invigorated), we set out to challenge the day, and got a series of rude shocks. The thunder and rain from last night has turned into what the weather channel calls a mild breeze. On the lake this mild wind was blowing in strong gusts whipping up white caps on the water. It was blowing down the lake from the Swiss Alps, so it had a cold chill to it. Fortunately we had wrapped up with layers. The day was very sunny and pleasant apart from the wind and made for great photography.

The second shock of the day was where had all the people come from? Yesterday Varenna was a quiet sleepy village, today we were among a throng of people wanting to board the ferries. Apparently it is a public holiday here on Monday, our equivalent of Labour Day. We are obviously at one of the long weekend destinations. We purchased a 'middle of lake' day pass to all ferries and set out for Bellagio. That was the plan but the next ferry was for Menaggio, so we took this instead. The trip across the lake was windy but great for photos. Arriving in Menaggio we found the next ferry leaving was for Villa Carlotta, so on we hopped in the knowledge that the ferry must first go to Varenna, then Bellagio. So back we went, but we did not care, as we were warm and enjoying the scenery.

Villa Carlotta was a stunning surprise. It ticked off an earlier goal of finding a garden with rhododendrons and azaleas, and we were here at the right time of year with the garden in full flower. And what a garden. It may not be large, but it was big enough to swallow many people with ease, and it was filled with motivation for our type of garden. In short it was a stunning hill garden in a stunning setting, viewed at the right time of year in the right weather. The garden sheltered you from the wind, so it was quiet and warm walking amongst the thousands of specimen plants on display. We spent nearly three hours walking the gardens taking hundreds of photos, and perusing the three story villa with its historical artefacts. We came to this garden a little sceptical of the size and significance, but left feeling it was worth the €9 entrance fee. If you can get to Lake Como at this time of year, then you must take the opportunity to wander this unique place. Later in the year other flowering plants would be blooming.

Next stop was Bellagio after we walked along the lake front from Villa Carlotta to the car ferry nearby. Arriving in Bellagio mid afternoon we were hungry, so seeking out food became our goal. The place was very busy with people filling the streets and eateries, so lunch took a little time to navigate. Hunger satisfied, we did a quick walk to the end of the peninsula and took a moment to look up the lake at Switzerland and the Italian Alps. It made us appreciate the quietness & lack of people ( & shops) in Varenna, a good choice for accommodation. The wind did not allow us to linger so it was home to Varenna; accept for the second time in one day we ended up in Menaggio directly across the lake from where we are staying. Menaggio however, was disappointing and frustrating after the other villages. The places we would love to have visited up on the hill were out of our walking range, and the town was closed up; so we settled for taking the next ferry back to Varenna, where we found an early dinner in a cheap & cheerful restaurant as we had been unsuccessful finding any shops selling food during our lake excursions. Luckily the apartment fridge was well stocked with basic items when we arrived and a few snacks & breakfast items could also be found.

A day when lots of photos were taken. Inspiration in so many places for these fresh eyes. It was a rewarding and invigorating day in so many ways (yes we had a few more hairstyles after each ferry ride). Bring on tomorrow's episode, where we are climbing up to the old castle above us.