Trassilico

The weather continues to treat us kindly, so on Sunday, we made our third trip in so many days to what we consider to be the "dark side" - ie the colder east-facing slopes of the Serchio valley, which in winter get less sunshine than we do.

However, the weather hasn't been as cold as last year, so these three trips have been sunny and pleasant.  This time, we headed to another high village which we see clearly by day, and which winks at us by night - Trassilico.  Unfortunately, there is no cafe - but Trassilico does boast a good butcher, which oddly is the only remaining shop.  Not, however, open on Sunday!

From Trassilico, there are numerous high level trails, of which we picked the one which was getting most sun.  We met another couple about our age, also out walking, who told us they were heading for a favourite spot to have a bite of lunch, and read their Sunday papers in the sun!  In our two winters, this is only the second time we have met walkers like this.

Trasillico sitting on its ridge with the two Panias behind

A try-out of possible colour schemes makes a striking image on this wall in Trassilico

Long ago, this ridge must have seemed an obvious place to build a village.  We are looking across a deep valley to Vergemoli, which we visited last winter.  Very pretty, but no cafe1

Trasillico seen through the ubiquitous lacework of branches in this wooded place

Looking across the Serchio valley towards Barga, showing just how populated the Garfagnana is