Scanno

Today was warm-up day. After a guided tour around Scanno with Lorenzo, we drove to Scanno lake, which was heaving with Sunday picnickers. We climbed up through the woods to a viewpoint above the lake, where we ate our lunch before returning to the car park. 2 1/2 hours including the lunch stop, for 4.6 km and 247 metres climbing. Extras: the lake, and a square in Scanno.

Before heading home, we stopped to visit an ancient watermill. After the guided tour we were all ready to get back for a rest, but one keen member of the party engaged a local guy in conversation about his immaculate vintage car. It was half-covered with tarpaulin, but with a tolerant shrug he whisked it off and then revealed two other equally immaculate cars in the garage. We all ended up getting drawn into it, and he even started the 1950 Fiat so we could hear its throaty roar. He finally gave us all a hearty handshake and waved us off cheerfully.

Back in Scanno we shopped for local honey and gold filigree jewellery, as you do. Then aperitifs and very carb-heavy dinner (chunky pasta with chicory, followed by melted pecorino with honey, walnuts, and large plates of chips). That should set us up for tomorrow.