Herbjørg Wassmo, Bellinzona and Locarno

This is probably the laziest Sunday, we've had here so far. And I'm thoroughly enjoying it! Have been sitting on the balcony since we got up and, apart from a swimming break later, I don't think we're going to move far away from here anytime soon. (Though I do want to watch the Closing Ceremony this evening.)

I've started reading Herbjørg Wassmo again. Probably for the fifth or sixth time. I absolutely love her books about Dina and came across 'Karnas Arv' among my books the other day. Reading about people living in a cold and rough climate in the most northern parts of Norway makes the heat here more bearable. Because it's HOT! I've had to purchase proper summer clothes (shorts primarily) and haven't worn socks in weeks; something that's almost unheard of in the World of Karen.

Yesterday, we got up early and drove to Bellinzona which is about two hours south of Zurich. Like most places we've seen here so far, it's absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and it has the three best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walked up to one of the castles and took a couple of pictures:

After this exposure to culture, we decided to go a bit further towards the Italian border and have a look at what Locarno had to offer. Again, more of the same: Mountains, a lake, sunshine, benches (the Swiss have a knack of placing benches everywhere), ice cream vendors etc.

The pictures here don't do the views of the lake any justice, I hasten to add - and I'll take some pictures of benches at some other time...

Oh, work's still going well by the way!

Lots of love,

Karen x