1 EAGLETON NOTES: Sharing a Bedroom

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Saturday 1 September 2012

Sharing a Bedroom

Yesterday's drive was more exacting than the previous ones.  The roads were narrow and the views were beautiful (but you will be glad to know that, as the driver, I saw very little and kept my eyes on the road).  The motorways were busier and, on occasion, the rain was torrential.  So when we eventually arrived at Castelfiorentino in near Florence at about 7.30pm we were very much in need of a stop for the night.  We landed on our feet once again as Diane saw a sign for Albergo La Pieve and took the instant decision that we would head for it.  Good choice!  The young lady at reception spoke immaculate English (with an English accent) which, given how tired I was, was a Good Thing.  It turned out that she also spoke fluent German (with a German accent).  I assume her Italian was good too! (OK, Frances, I didn't really need an ! but it seemed like a good idea.)  When I wrote the last few sentences I didn't know the whole story about the young lady.  That will be a separate post.

The food and local wine was good, the rooms were large and the bathrooms large and clean and very well appointed with lovely towels and plenty of them (although for a one-night stay I only use the large bath towel).  One thing I have noticed in all the hotels - and it makes a big difference - is that they have all used expensive toilet paper.  

When I arrived in my room after dinner I was asleep as my head hit the pillow.  Until 4.30am.  I have no idea why I woke but I had this uncanny feeling that I was not alone.  I wasn't!  Those of you who have heard the insidious whining buzz of a mosquito will understand.  I covered my head with the sheet and tried to get back to sleep but I was too hot (rich food still trying to be digested generates heat I guess).  I can't blame the hotel because the windows have mozzie screens on them.  I showered.  I went back to bed.  At around 5.30 I fell back to sleep.  Oh how I sympathise with people who don't find sleep easy.  I usually do.  I should make that a Thankful Thursday post one day.

I'm not usually mozzie fodder (the little sandflies love me though) but I guess this lady was not going to pass up a meal and feed she did.  I've decided that I definitely don't like sharing a room any more.

Dark morning and rain over Lake Como from Menaggio
A typical community clinging to the hillside above the lake
And again
Have you anything for me?  At La Pieve
Albergo La Pieve
Our first Tuscan evening view (taken this morning when the sun deserted us - oh dear).

14 comments:

  1. This si becoming a wonderful if damp trip. Nowt wrong with an exclamation mark or three!!! Don't let folk tell you any differently!!!!

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    1. Thanks Adrian. I'll remember that!! It's now Monday morning. It's even damper!!

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  2. What a coincidence....I too heard the insidious whining buzz of a mosquito in my room early this morning (3.38am)....turned the light on and swiped it with my electrical swatter.....but then I could not get back to sleep, and have been up since then.
    Had removed the screens during the day to clean them, so the mozzies probably came in at that point.
    Loved those pretty eyes on the cat, almost like sparkling jewels.
    I'm enjoying all the lovely photos of the beautiful scenery.
    Continue to travel safely and enjoy.

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    1. At least you had a swatter. I had no defence and I think much of the damage was already done by the time I woke. I had a huge egg on the side of my face and a total of eleven bites. It's Monday morning as I write this and they are just beginning to ease off.

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  3. Gorgeous photos, as always. And you are excused the ! As it was an exclamation! (So was that).

    As a seasoned insomniac, I envy your ability to sleep easily. It is a priceless gift. Contine to enjoy your travsle it sounds as though you are having a wonderful time.

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    1. Thanks for the compliment Frances. I really do feel for you. As a small child I can recall insomnia and I would not wish it on anyone. I never needed much sleep but, of course, always had to go to bed early. We didn't make our children put out the lights and they could read so long as they went to bed to rest).

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  4. Nice that you've been able to blog along the way and share the views recently seen. Living as I do in town, it's very rare that I have to share my bedroom with mosquitoes. Alas, not so rare to lie awake for an hour in the middle of the night for no apparent reason at all, though...

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    1. Given a choice, Monica, I wouldn't live in a town but if it was that or living with mozzies then the choice might be hard. As I said to Frances I wouldn't wish insomnia on anyone.

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  5. The albergo sounds lovely; have you found out the name of the cat? And did you give him or her anything?
    Thankfully, I have not had many mozzies sharing my room with me this year. Maybe the extremely cold February and then the way too cold and wet July were good for something.

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    1. It was lovely and I shall blog about the owner in due course. I would never feed a cat or dog from the table and I'm a little ashamed to say that I just called she or he 'puss'.

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  6. Stunning photos Graham. I envy you this tour. Though not the mozzy! Safe driving...

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    1. Come now Yvonne you have just spent a month in the sun. The mozzie was an eleven bite pain in the bum!

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  7. Strange how one little insect can make so much noise, isn't it? Glad you slept well before the attack. Looks like a wonderful place!

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    1. What is even worse Pauline is when they don't make the noise whilst you are awake, attack and then make a noise. It's a sort of way of cocking a snook at you.

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