Long, and busy, weekend

About to head to bed at the close of a very busy 4 day weekend. We just got home from IKEA, which is a daytrip considering it is 2 hours away (at least) and requires driving on the busiest motorway in Italy. Luckily traffic was light, comparatively, and we returned home safely.

We were able to make it to 2 local festivals this weekend. Policinigo had the 333rd annual basket festival. More of a crafts festival, although there were plenty of wicker baskets for sale.


I saw these wooden roses, and I think the picture came out great!


Sunday was Paesi Aperti, open villages, in Andreis, Poffabro and Frisanco. All are beautiful little mountain villages. Poffabro is actually considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy! All share a similar architecture of multistory stone houses with external wooden staircases between the floors.


There was a good deal of traditional food, music and crafts. Ever wonder how all that spindled furniture was made before electric lathes?


On the way down to the car we ran into a couple and their son picking some berries I didn't recognize. Turned out they're cherry laurel. Only very large, mature specimens make berries.


You can supposedly make a good liquor with them. We picked a bunch and now I have my next project sitting in the fridge!