Happy New Year - Relax and do nothing!

This post is the first in a new series of posts where I will give examples of things to do and places to see in the vicinity of Casa Colleverde.

Friends who have stayed with us have said that contemplating the view from the house gives them a sense of place and has a calming effect on them with the effect that they wish to do nothing but sit and read or chat and never leave the house.

Now this is fine by us I too never tire of the view and can sit with or without a glass of wine(although more often with I have to say)and contemplate the view particularly on a warm evenng . With the lights below the house in the valley gradually coming on the view seems like something from the Hollywood hills over Los Angeles.

On a clear day you can see the the various islands in the Mar Tirreno an on a very clear day Corsica.

View from the pool at night

Breakfast Balcony view towards Livorno

Often friends who feeling like doing some exercise
but not leaving the hill take our Norfolk Terrier Sam for a walk. He is always a willing participant in this game and is quite happy to play every day!
With or without Sam there are lots of hiking trails in the woods behind the house and these can be hiked even in summer as under the trees it is less hot.

We also have a couple of moutain bikes for those who are more active. There are trails that can be cycled directly from the house but beware we are on a hill and if you start to go down evetually you will have to return up again and believe you me its hard work, I know I have done it!



For those who have felt like doing nothing but sit by the pool Sam is quite happy to keep you company there as well. He doesnt like getting wet but will sit under your chair to watch or keep out of the sun.



In the evening after an active day by the pool we can put the world to rights over a glass of wine and a relaxing BBQ.