Trasimeno in March

Yesterday we both thought was idilic. Clear blue skies and a lovely light. Possitively warm. 21 deg C!. The lake looked fabulous and we saw it from various vantage points. First we drove to the west of the lake and up to Cortona. We ambled around this lovely hill top town and had a cofffee with the locals standing up in a bar. The policeman came in for a coffee and greeted a woman with a kiss on both cheeks. We went up to the church of St Francis. The view of the lago from Cortona was great. We drove back and had lunch in Macchie. We had arranged to meet Katia in the afternoon in Panicale. Panicale is another hill top town 4 km from our house. It has a terrace with fantastic views of the lake. We had arranged to meet Katia in Panicale in the afternoon. Panicale is another hill top town 5 minutes drive from our house. It has a terrace with a fantastic view of the lake. She had a key to the 18th centuary theatre and gave us a personal tour. She also had a key to the church that houses a 16th centuary Perugino fresco. The background of the fresco is the view of the lake as one comes out of that church. The best view of all. We then drove to the bird walk. This is a wooden walkway at the north east corner of the lake such that one can walk abou 300 mters out over the lake. It is a proper nature reserve and for 4 eoros one is supplied with binoculars. We saw a heron, gulls, a great crested grebe, lots of coots and a pair of otters very close up. Other birds as well. We were the only visitors at that time and had the place to ourselves. The bells ring at a nearby church ever 15 minutes. Lovely.