THE one bus to freedom!

12.15    Matedi

Just returned from Passignano.  Caught the twice a week bus from Castel Rigone – there is just one a day on a Tuesday and a Saturday during the summer.  It leaves from the piazza in front of the church at 8.50am and returns at 11.30am from outside the Mayfair bar in Passignano.

 It’s the first time I’ve caught the bus (mini-bus actually)  and I  was terrified of missing it on the return journey cause there’s no other form of transport unless one pays 30 euros for a 6 mile journey in a taxi!  The service is free and obviously put on as a stopgap during the summer when the schools are closed. I can see why there are only two a week – there was only one other passenger besides me! 

We do see an actual double-decker bus going through every day at 6.30am but never see it coming back! Have found out why today – it doesn’t come back! It’s a service from Magione to Perugia and I think you can get on here but once in Perugia again there is no way of getting back!

Today Passignano had returned to its tranquil normality after the Ferragosto weekend madness with the day-trippers having departed and locals back at work.  Stinking hot again (30C at mid-day) after the coolness (24C ) and slight dribble of rain yesterday but still managed the hundred steps up to the Rocca - twice (it wasn’t open the first time) and then the 93 steps up the spiral staircase to climb to the top  and a long stroll along the front -  so lots of exercise! 

Ferry in Passignano

Had a nice chat with the keeper of the castle who spoke good English but did allow me to use my Italian.  Put him down as a potential rescuer when waiting for the return bus just in case it didn’t come!  Think the guy in the handbag shop would have been quite happy to have taken on the job but with strings! 

There’s a big event on at Passignano on Saturday – La notte bianco sotto le stelle (The white night under the stars)  Starts late afternoon and there are musical and art events all over the town – bands, theatre, art displays, food, sport and another boat race I think.  Sounds really good and would love to go – can get there OK cause there is a bus on Saturday at 9am but no way to get back unless someone out there would enjoy coming with me!    

Piazza Agnostino where the the concert will take place

Tonight I think I will go to the concert in the village if I stay awake till the 9pm start!  There are lots of these during July and August.  Tonight it is the Orchestra da Camera del Trasimeno with a violoncello soloist.  Music by Britten and Haydn. It’s being held in the Piazza Agnostino again – the people who live there mustn’t get any sleep but they also enjoy free concerts