Afternoon in Montelupo

We spent the first part of today in the town of Alba, but were tempted later to walk into Montelupo to see it in the bright sunshine. Even at teatime it seemed almost deserted save for some children in the small playground at the centre of the village and a couple of men in their gardens - one carefully watering a row of cabbages, the other hoeing between rows of glistening tomatoes beneath yellowing leaves.

The sun was still brilliant, but in the shadows the air was chilly - a distinct breath of autumn up here at 1,800'. Tonight the forecast tells us it will fall to 9C under clear sky. And tomorrow we shall walk again.