Italy with Ellie 2016- Day 4

Day 4

 We are leaving for Croatia.  We had to stop at the boarder of Slovenia . We got two stamps for each border. I was very excited about it as crazy as it may seem.

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 Our adventure today takes us the largest Italian memorial of  Fogliano Redipuglia  the memory of the Great War.

 





















This memorial started up on the hill of St Elia as you see above. What you can't see is that each grave has something placed on the grave that represents the soldier that is buried there. For an example there is a radio for the radio man. I am sorry I don't have any of those pictures to show you. 
This hill was bitterly fought over.

On this momument across the street there are the remains of 100,187 fallen men, 39,85 known and 60,330 unknown.. There are 22 layers with many names with the Duke of Aosta, commander of the Third army. 







  Climbing the steps and reading all the names and rank along the way.

looking the other way from the top down to the bottom and across to the trees where the first cemetery is.

 This hill was bitterly fought over

 The bunkers on the hill looking up at the monument.

 We lost a few suitcases on the way and had to wait till they could bring them to us. Now we are on our way to lunch!  Can't wait to eat again....( we are along the right side of the map, traveling down the coast.

  We had a wonderful lunch a the Rivera Le Terrazze. We looked out onto the bay and saw mussel traps.
Onto Motovun and the Hotel Kastel which has been owned by one family for centuries. We climb up this long hill to the castle.

 We are staying at the Hotel Kastel  up in Montovan  Here we are climbing up to the castle. I am so glad they took our suitcases!

We are 1000 meters above sea level. This castle has been kept in the family for generations.

 This town has five watch towers and two rings of stone walls for protection. The first 12-13ct and the 2nd ring was 15-16th ct. They grew out of the first ring so they had to make a second ring. This church and  lookout tower are  from the 13th ct. 

A wonderful day is completed with a beautiful sunset.

I think I got everyone..
ciao..

Italy with Ellie- Day 3

Day 3
Starting our day from the Fossa Mala.

Breakfast was always an adventure with the coffee machine especially if you wanted Americano coffee! You pressed 4 buttons before it started and then waited 10 minutes before it was done!  If you hit the other machine at the same time you blew out all the fuses..and had to start over..We didn't do that again...if you valued your life!

                       Today we are off to Lake Barcis. We left at 9 and climbed up into the beautiful mountains 

 Today we are off to Lake Barcis. We left at 9 and climbed up into the beautiful mountains . We pass the hydro plant in Mainisio which is taking all the water for the supply in Venice. The lake that is usually full at this time is almost empty. . We continued on through the tunnel and up to Andreis .

Barcis Lake

  Here we got on a train that traveled up to Mt Raut and Mt Ciava. Looking down in the valleys, into the caves, over the ravines and up to the mountains. We could clearly see where the 3 plates of the earth come together.  There had been an earth quake in 1963 that had disrupted this area. 

A little fixer upper along the way.

These pictures just can't show us the depth of the drop. 

After the train ride we headed to the Lake again for our lunch that Ellie provided. Proseco, sandwich,, fruit and of course chocolate cordials of various kinds.

                                                       We are enjoying this picnic as there is less food!

Children will be children!

So Lillian how much did you have to drink?

I put this in so we could see where we are and where we have been in the last few days.  Amazing......

Then a little walk to town for some quick shopping from the vendors that came for the day.Just a few cute houses along the way.

Now I am back writing this but before I sat down I went out to see the grapes and walk to the stables.  I had to get my horse fix. The flies and bees were around bothering the horses because the grapes are so ripe. Things that we don't think about. 

Shower and rest and off to Ellie's restaurant.

This young colonel Jenice Carroll, is a lady to watch. She has numerous degrees and experience and will probably be named a General in the near future. -a fiery lady like our Ellie.
ciao