Chilled, Celebrating, and Singed Eyebrows
Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th, and Thursday 28th
We moved to our new lakeside pitch on Tuesday morning. It was our silver wedding anniversary and whilst we wished to celebrate we had no plans to do anything extravagant, we just needed a nice day in each other’s company with our dogs, some good food and wine, and the splendid surroundings in which we found ourselves.
We took a walk into Iseo around lunchtime. It’s a 15 minute stroll along the combined pedestrian/cycle track from the campsite into the centre of town. The town is lovely and has a beautiful lakeside aspect. We had eaten in the site restaurant the evening of our arrival and whilst we had a good meal and a very pleasant evening we didn’t wish to repeat that tonight. Our initial thoughts were that we would find a nice place to book a table for tonight but we got the distinct impression that everyone was dining at lunchtime and so we joined them. We found a lovely small restaurant away from the centre and overlooking the lake and harbour.
After a lovely lunch we decided that tonight we would self-cater and quaff the bottle of cremant de Burgoyne that we had purchased in Macon. Moroccan chicken (yes, I know, not very Italian) and a bottle of bubbly (yes, I know, French), and the evening sunset over Lake Iseo (definitely Italian!), perfect!
On Wednesday we had seen that the site restaurant had a ‘romantic evening’ with entertainment so this seemed and ideal follow-up for our celebrations. We booked a table and set about a stroll with the dogs in the opposite direction to Iseo and in the direction of Pilzone. We had hoped to go further than Pilzone and probably Sulzano, or even perhaps Sale Marasino and try and find a nice spot for some lunch again. It was a pleasant walk into Pilzone although perhaps not the lakeside stroll that we had imagined, but we managed to keep away from the main streets and explore that local area. After Pilzone however any hope of walking further away from the Italian traffic were dashed and even the pavement disappeared.
We got as far as the nautical centre just north of Pilzone but going any further was just not going to be an option, even the restaurant/bar at the nautical centre appeared to be closed. Returning to the campsite we had a spot of lunch and then a cycle ride into Iseo.
The evening in the restaurant was a really nice night. The entertainment was going to be ‘Mariano’ and bearing in mind the billing of a romantic evening we have visions of some singer guitarist roaming the restaurant with songs of serenade. How pleasantly mistaken we were!
The restaurant had removed the side panels on the lake side and Mariano had set himself up on the lawn between the restaurant and the lake. We were shown to our table which was central and at the front. We were still unsure of what to expect mind. Mariano came on shortly after 7 and played right through till 10 non-stop just one number after another and he was brilliant. Not the romantic set that we might have expected but a mix of rock, blues, and country from across the decades. His only aid seemed to be the occasional slurp from his beer glass, I don’t really know how he kept going so long. You can watch a bit of Mariano here.
Towards the end and after most people had eaten, he suggested that dancing would be welcomed and the restaurant staff had cleared away a few tables to make space. Now those that know us will know that we like a dance and the evening’s wine had loosened inhibitions so we gave it a go. A little bit of jive, and rock ‘n roll went down fine with Mariano’s set. When he slowed things up we opted for the Rumba and this may have been a mistake as the earlier wine had probably taken it’s toll. Never mind, we had a great time. We were the only couple to get up and give it go but Mariano seemed to appreciate our efforts, together with some of the other diners. All in all a very nice evening.
Thursday would be our last full day at Iseo before heading off again, this time towards Croatia. We planned to do a bit of Christmas present shopping in Iseo on Friday morning after leaving the campsite. We would have done it earlier but the shop where we had spied the presents was closed until Friday. We needed to find somewhere suitable to park the motorhome near the town so ventured into Iseo on the bikes to recce suitable spots. We had also been told that Friday was market day and so may be a little busier than usual.
We found a good car park on the south side of Iseo that had a couple campers parked (or more likely staying) and this seemed a reasonable option It was a large car park with good access and just about empty. We also tried to find somewhere different to walk the dogs and had spotted a nature reserve/park on the south side too. This however didn’t allow dogs so that was not an option.
Thursday evening was going to be a barbeque. We had bought some escallops from the local supermarket and they were going to be just fine. Since our early days of motorhoming we had been carrying around a small charcoal barbeque along with a suitable supply of fuel. When we change motorhome we decided to purchase a Cadac gas barbeque and haven’t been disappointed. It is so easy and quick to get up and running it just makes a BBQ whilst travelling so much more convenient.
So, barbeque lit and I’m waiting for it to heat up whilst enjoying the setting sun across the lake. A quick check of the thermometer and nothing much appears to happening, now a quick peep through the air vents and there is certainly no flame. OK, so no problem a quick press of the igniter, BOOM!
I knew what had happened, eyes shut I had heard the BBQ lid landing after being launched, and there was that immediate and distinctive smell of singed hair. My first thought was that I wish I hadn’t done that, my second thought was to have a look at the damage. Ruth by this time had come out to see what was going on and our German neighbours had been alerted to something not quite right and had asked if there was anything they could do.
I was so fortunate. A quick inspection revealed nothing more than singed hair to my arm, eyebrows, and my hair. My eyebrows probably took the brunt of it and had I not been wearing a headband I think more of my hair would have disappeared into the ether. As it happens by the time we return in a few weeks all will have grown back and no one will be the wiser. Lesson learned though, I will not relight the gas BBQ again without removing lid and cooking plate and allowing a suitable time for any gas build up to dissipate.
The BBQ got re-assembled, relit, and the escalopes cooked to perfection, all washed down with some fine Macon. In fairness to Italian wine which we love we have taken that on board for our onward travels.
So, the sun finally sets on our brief but very enjoyable stay at Lake Iseo and Camping Covelo. Tomorrow we will continue our travels in the direction of Croatia. I am sure that if we were heading this way again we would make a stop here, particularly if Mariano was on the bill.
