High up on the mountain...

Yesterday I wanted to take just a little walk and explore new routes. I went to the woods in Cottanello and after a while I found myself on 1000 m height. A man who was collecting his cows up there was more than surprised to see me and couldn't understand what I was doing there. "Nobody comes here!" he said. It was priceless. He told me that a little more up that mountain you are at 1300 m, so of course I went further up. And had the most amazing view over Cottanello, Montasola and the surroundings.
The sight was not the best because an october storm was coming up but still it was beautiful to stand that high.

 Normally Cottanello lies in bright sunshine of course:

Walk in Tancia

A few days ago we had a lovely walk with our dear Friend Genevra from the Santa Maria Bar in Tancia, a region high up over Poggio Catino. Sunny, amazing views and beautiful nature.

Farfa

Impressing is a visit of the abbey of Farfa in Sabina. This old Benedictine monastery had big power in it's golden age and has been founded probably in the sixth century. Still today monks and nuns are living there (not together of course).

You can visit the abbey, the cathedral and the medioeval houses around where you can buy traditional artwork etc.

If you need to cool down after the cultural visits you can go to a place at a river nearby where Italian families like to have a picnic in the hot months. Put your feet into the cool water and have a siesta in the shadow, or walk a little along the river bed.

Buon Ferragosto!!

On the 15th of August is Ferragosto in Italy which is the day when Maria went to heaven. This is in Italy a very important holiday like christmas.

We celebrated it by going to the Lago del Turano and the Lago Salto, one hour from Cottanello. 

Beautiful blue-green water and green surroundings...

 ...swimming restaurant on the Lago del Turano....

 On the Lago Salto we finally decided to stay for a while. There are little private places where you can sit at the lake, or more "official" places like here where you can also rent campbeds, parasols or paddleboats....
Beautiful relaxing day, also for lots of Italian Families and Friends.

Piediluco

Yesterday we have made a lovely trip to Piediluco, a small village at the lake Piediluco near Terni.

Beautiful weather and nature, so we did a walk half around the lake.

 Slow Life everywhere...

 Beach-Life!!

The path is also a part of the Via Francigena, the Italian pilgrimage route to Rome.
On the other side of the lake we could take a cold drink in a small cafe and then hop on the AcquaBus, a little ferry that brought us back to Piediluco.

Yoga

Who would not love to do yoga on a platform with such a marvellous view over the fields of Sabina? 

Every Saturday Gabrielle Long makes us a little bit more flexible...

She also offers Massages, and Meditation Courses.

More under Gabrielle Long

Prati

Casa Pace is situated a little bit outside of Cottanello (5 minute walk to the center) in the Via dei Prati. What is the Prati? If you pass our house you will get there. After 4-5 km uphill through the forest you will reach paradise. A deserted village with no human being around - but lots of animals!

Here pigs, cows, horses, goats and sheep live in harmony together, sharing the green fields, the water places and the peaceful silence. The farmers drive up the Prati from time to time to look after the animals who are running free (and sometimes even come down as far as our house. 

 Only the sheep need someone to take care of them :)

As a vegan it's one of the most beautiful places where farm animals live I have seen. You can walk up there, have a picknick on the green hills and enjoy the nature.
This is how it should be, isn't it?

Here is a movie about a farm animal sanctuary:
Peaceable Kingdom

Monte Soratte

With our charming friend and tour guide Ginevra from the Santa Maria Bar and our two  foster dogs Mamataba and Tabino we have walked up the Monte Soratte (ca. 700 m) today.

 It was a beautiful walk in nature...

 With a view to the Lake Bracciano and to Rome in the distance

Running in nature

Nothing better than a good morning run in nature with my new Brooks Green Silence shoes (recycled and vegan shoes!)... Fresh air and traffic free!

The view from our terrace - Casa Pace

This fantastic view was taken from the terrace of Casa Pace which can also be rented as a holiday house. At the end you see Cottanello, the small medioeval village nearby.
Enjoy the silence and peace of Casa Pace!

Greeeeeeeeeeeeen Sabina

Coming from 2 years in Andalusia, Spain where everything is dry and brown, Sabina is a green paradise.
And with a rich water reservoir it also stays this way in the hot summer time.... Lovely.