San Remo Saturday

This morning I had a slow start then went to the markets- clothes , shoes, bags, etc. I want a new bag  but there were none like I want.  There were also very many people. It was a friendly crowd, but still a crowd. So I took the easy option and gave up. All those beautiful cheap cashmere jumpers will have to wait till next time.

 I arrived at my usual main meal place at 12.10 to find it full, mostly French who come for the markets. I was put at the same table as an Italian gentleman who eats there regularly, turns out every day. HE is somehow related to the owners.  Conversation was a bit stilted, but we both tried. He left and anot her single lady was put with me. We got on well and managed much better. She was better able to work out what I was trying to say. She lives in Milan but has a house here that she spends August and February in. She also has a weekender at Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda.  She is also very disappointed that she can no longer light a candle with a flame in most churches. When I left at 2.40, the restaurant was still packed.

Next I walked to the second Russian church, but it was closed, 20 minutes after the sign on the door said it would be open. So, a flop. I am not going back there on the off chance it may be open. I walked on, further East where the map said there was another church which looked, from its website, like it was alive. On the way I passed a smaller church which was some sort of offshoot of the church I was heading for, but it was closed, but it was obviously still used for masses. Another flop. The church I was heading for was certainly well used. Sometime in the late last centuy another big bit was added to it to almost double the size. There are some nice wooden bits and modern stained glass windows. It was a mission success grade 2. I got to flick a switch to turn on the candle of my choice.

I walked back along the waterfront. Lots of toys, tiny little inflatable things up to great big huge millions of $ boats.  I stopped for an iced coffee in a pleasant spot in the shade, then continued.

I bought a few things to supplement my remaining odds and ends for dinner - 2 zucchini flowers stuffed with potatoes and mortadella , i think and a piece of the local foccacia like base with tomato, olives, sardines etc on the top, called sardenaria. Later ... I could not taste the sardines.