I have been working in the garden lately, but Sunday we went for a hike around Diano San Pietro - Diano Borello. All the towns around there are called "Diano something", and we had only been to Diano Marino, which as the name suggest is on the coast. We took the Panda, as it's a little too far from home to go on the scooter. It was a nice varied hike (13km) and the weather was very pleasant for January (13deg)
13.01.2026
This hike from Cantalupo to Borgo Sant'Agata and Artallo we actually did just before New Years, but I forgot to upload the pictures. It's another repeat, this time of a route we first did in March 2022, but it is a really lovely hike through very varied landscapes and cities, so worth doing again. As a bonus it's not too far away, as parking the scooter in these small towns is obviously much easier than finding a sport for the car
09.01.2026
In Italy Christmas last until 6th January, so there was time for us to go and see the small Christmas market in Torino. On the way we stopped in Mondovi to see the hot air balloon festival, which was quite spectacular but very cold when standing and waiting for them to start. On the way home we stopped to see the hunting castle in Stupinigi where we hadn't been since 2015. It's quite an impressive building, but the main attraction is obviously the central hall which is absolutely stunning
24.12.2025
Merry Christmas everyone! Bibi is back from Denmark and we had our Christmas dinner with Maria last night, so I thought I would post a random collection of pictures from this month. All pretty traditional as you can see, and of course quite a lot of eating and drinking going on (and I don't even have pictures of the glogg we made)
10.12.2025
We both bought second-hand electric bikes on-line, saving 50% off list prices. Bibi's is a 2022 KTM Macina Style 710 and mine is a 2022 Haibike AllMtn3. They both have the powerful Bosch Performance CX motor and Bibi's has a 750wh Bosch battery, while mine is 625wh. These are really nice, comfortable and powerful bikes, so now we can go anywhere we like no matter how steep the roads are and some around here are really steep
06.12.2025
Revisiting a hike we have done twice before - this time with a slight variation - we did 10km around Civezza and Torre Paponi today. The first time we did this hike back in 2020 a dog followed us halfway around, and today the same stupid dog tired again. Amazingly, we saw a roe deer again today, crossing the road just in front of us before quickly running away. And as you can see, Bibi remembered to bring carrots for the donkeys!
29.11.2025
For us, the hiking season started yesterday with a 10km hike around Boscomare. I was lucky enough to glimpse a deer, which is a rare occasion and Bibi didn't see it as I was in front. But 30min later I was even luckier, as I found a deer antler, only the second I have ever found! Anyway, it was great to be out in the beautiful autumn weather again and we had a lovely day
24.11.2025
For my birthday, we decided to take a weekend in Torino. Since the weather was cold and clear we went up to Superga to enjoy the view on Saturday. The train station at the top had been beautifully renovated, so that was nice. Sunday was the day for the Torino Marathon. We went to Parco Valentino and passed the Fiat Museum on the way, so we spend an hour in there
11.11.2025
The annual olive festival in Imperia - Olioliva Imperia - celebrated it's 25 anniversary this year. The stalls sell more than just olives - as you can see from the pictures - and we always try to go because it's a nice day out and not much else happens in Imperia!
30.10.2025
For the final week we borrowed Lars and Helles super cosy - and arc-typical danish - holiday house in Kettrup and overlapped with them for the first weekend. But first we made a detour to Stauning Whisky, which I always wanted to visit since I like single malts. We spend the week walking in the beautiful nature. The west coast of Jutland is so spectacular and unique, it's like nothing else we have seen anywhere in the world. We did also go to Skagen, Hirtshals and Bulbjerg
30.10.2025
The second week of our autumn holiday in Denmark we were on Fyen, where we stayed mostly with Nicolaj, Sofie, Aksel, Anker and Lasse in Kerteminde. They just moved into her parents house, so obviously we had to go see where Gudrun and Lasse now lives, which is very close by. We also visited our friends Jorgen and Solveig in Vissenbjerg, who we hadn't seen in a long time, Leif and Anette in Odense, who visited us in Italy in September and of course my Mum and Dad in Barlose
30.10.2025
The first week of our holiday in Denmark, we stayed with Mikkel and Elisabeth in Copenhagen. Our nations capital has changed significantly since I lived there 30 years ago and there is so much to see. Monday and Tuesday we walked central Copenhagen. Wednesday we went to see Carlsbergbyen and Frederiksberg, and Thursday we explored Nordhavn. We spend the nights with Mikkel and Eli and also had dinner with her parents Grete og Morten
22.09.2025
Mum was really lucky and caught the last of the beautiful summer weather this year. Thursday, we went on the whale watch boat from Imperia, and saw dolphins, a huge sperm whale and a sea turtle. Friday, we visited the fantastic cheese marked in Bra. Saturday, we spend the whole day out on our own boat outside Cervo, feeding the fish and relaxing. As always, we went out for dinner most nights
08.09.2025
It's now late summer, but the weather is still very pleasant with temperature around 25-27deg, which feels warmer as the sun is still strong. We still try to squeeze in as many days on the boat as the wind and waves will allow. This week we were invited for an 'aperitivo' for Maria's birthday, but most day we sit on the terrace outside the kitchen, or upstairs
08.09.2025
Sofie, Nicolaj, Aksel, Anker and Lasse came to visit us for a week, after moving to their new house in Kerteminde. The boys love swimming, so spent most of the time on the beach or in the pool. We did take the boat out, while Bibi had a doctors appointment, and they also did a day trip to Nice with the to oldest boys
20.08.2025
We had a fantastic time in Randers for Helle's 60th birthday party. We arrived on Thursday and Lars picked us up in Taastrup. Friday and Saturday was all about preparing for the lovely garden party Saturday afternoon. After we tidied everything up on Sunday, Lars and I went for a short boat trip while Helle and Bibi went for a walk. Monday I went back to Costarainera, and Bibi went to Kerteminde to visit the family
12.08.2025
It's August and it's hot ... no surprises there! We spend quite a lot of time on the boat, now during the heat wave even more so since the sea is nice and calm. We're both getting better on the paddle board, and again it's easier when the sea is calm. We have finished the new boat cover; the old one lasted only two years and is completely worn out, so we upgraded the materials for the new one
19.07.2025
Our friends Lars & Helle drove all the way from Denmark - with no overnight stay - to spend the first week of their summer holiday with us. We went on the boat a couple of times of course, and to Imperia and Sanremo (shopping for sunglasses). Lars brought his drone and took some lovely videos, like this one of our house. We ate at home most nights, but went for a pizza and an ice cream with Maria on one occasion
09.07.2025
It's been so hot and dry that they started harvesting the lavenders early this year, but we still saw plenty on our trip to Provence. The smell of lavenders and sounds of bees is really lovely. The weather was pleasant with moderate temperatures most of the day, although it was very windy! We did 777km in the Boxster with an overnight stop in Sault, in a hotel room overlooking the valley with lavender fields in clear view
05.07.2025
Last year the weather in June was quite disappointing, but this year it's been really good. In fact, we just made it out of the first heat wave with temperatures approaching 35 deg. We have been out on the boat 10 days so far this year, and it's a great place to be, but you don't half get baked by the sun! We have to water the garden every other day this time of year to keep the plants happy and looking good, but then again I have plenty of time for that