Umbrella Museum

Backblipped for 4th July

Time to pack. We were not sorry to leave the accommodation and the constant bumping of head-against-beams, although attractions of the area almost made up for it.

In Gignese, not far from the B&B, is the only museum in Italy dedicated to umbrellas and parasols, which were made as a cottage industry in the surrounding villages. The specimens date from the early C19 and demonstrate the changing fashions of parasol style, especially their decorative handles, and the later trend towards use against rain rather than sunshine. Several striking umbrellas were for sale, sadly they would not fit our suitcases. (The case in the photo contains examples to show what damage can occur when a parasol is not properly cared for!)

Handing back the hire car we arrived at the airport with hours to spare and then, once boarded, remained on the tarmac for 45 minutes after departure time while awaiting permission to fly into Edinburgh owing to stormy weather there restricting air traffic. Similar conditions met us over Paris but we arrived safely to be met by B&S and driven home via an interesting route to avoid local flooding.