Umbertide - Niente Acqua!

6am  Saturday 27^th.  Only 25C  -  positively cool! 

Umbertide by river

Just waiting to see whether we can have a shower or have to be smelly!  (have got some wet-wipes on hand!)  The water got cut-off unexpectedly last night.  Must be a leak - we would have been warned if it was water shortage.   It’s now coming through as a trickle so promising.

Rocca

Yesterday morning we visited Umbertide so called after builder Uberto, son of the king of Italy Ugo after old town was abandoned following Hannibal’s invasion.  (Hannibal comes up everywhere!)

The actual historical centre of the town is not very big at all but very distinctive..  There is a Rocca (fortress) which dominates the landscape and is well worth a visit.  Also the church of Santa Maria which has an octagonal plan topped by a cupola. 

lovely little houses

The Piazza San Francesco contains another church – Santa Croce which boasts a fine painting ‘Deposition from the Cross’ by Luca Signorelli.

There is a lovely bar at the crossroads just off the centre of town (with great toilets! – see yesterday’s blog.))   From a roadside table you are guaranteed to see at least two near-altercations and hear lots of horn-blasting!  Suppose one shouldn't really enjoy watching cars playing at dodgems! It is one of these junctions where what appears to be the main road is actually a side road plus the fact that the white STOP on the tarmac has virtually worn away!  

part of new walkway

A ‘must’ in Umbertide is a stroll along the newly formed riverside walk.  Along here in one direction you will be able to view a quaint set of old houses as you meander under assorted archways.  In the other direction, there are beautiful views across the gentle hills and fields as the river widens leaving the town. 

walkway

7am

Water off completely again so it’s ’wet-wipes. Not sure what I will do with my hair. It’s sort of wavy after being screwed up all night.  Maybe put it up.

Not too bad but feels ghastly!!!

Can’t hang on much longer cause catching the bus to Passignano for the morning – it’s market day - Mike working – it’s been too hot in the afternoons for him to concentrate.  Actually according to the TV news, people have been dying of the heat and there have been considerable warnings.  Not surprising when it’s 42C in the shade! 

Will go to Gubbio this afternoon and have a ride on the funivia.  It’s taken years to persuade Mike to do that again! 

Umbria Acqua has arrived - looking a bit puzzled!   He is staring out across the football stadium!  Will probably get out a divining rod next! Hopefully it will be back on before I arrive back tonight!