Realdo

Had the chance to walk around in another quaint small village pretty high up in the Ligurian mountains. The village was pretty well maintained albeit the restaurant was closed for the day. Water was running everywhere and the way of old was still left to be seen with a rubbish chute down the mountain where it ended maybe 50m or more down below on the slope. Only met 2 residents and I assume another 2 tourists so it was very quiet. The two residents were avid mountain bikers and said the worldchampion had been about recently.

Triora

Whilst venturing up the valley we stopped in the witch museum. The village rides hard on the witch heritage (that apparently is based on 3 girls from neigbouring Glori), and they celebrate all the pagan highlights like samhain etc. The shops sport all kind of sorcery trinkets and would well fit into a Harry Potter backdrop.

Pieve di Teco

This day I went for a Sunday outing to Pieve di Teco in the hopes of seeing the antique market.  We drove there at first via the coast through Imperia and up the valley. 

Unfortunately it was the wrong Sunday but still there were a few antique dealers opening their shops. So each of us a got something and we also enjoyed ourselves with coffee and a sweet bread. I also bought myself an old floozy magazine (see below in pics) from 1965 that I put under my coffee table. 

Pieve di Teco was in her heyday famous for making shoes and indeed there still were shops selling hiking boots but they were not made there. Only local services was shoe repairs. 

Walking off the main street to the back of Pieve di Teco along the river showed some quaint buildings in the same style of the area. Then we returned over the  mountain and via Carpasio, very good views along the way.

Glori

Went for a walk in the village of Glori, this time the weather was a bit uncertain so didn't walk over the mountain. 

This village as I understand was close to deserted but has gotten a new lease of life after young people moved into it. 

In the medieval times it gained notoriety of having three witches in there and they were taken to Triora where they were burned on the stake(?) by the inquisition after their trials.

However, on this visit I didn't come across any sorcery. The weather a stated was a bit overcast so all pictures as you can see looks to be from a Black Sabbath album cover.

Walking Montalto to Carpasio

Went walking up in the mountains and started early morning as one does not want to get stuck up there after dark, at least if you are not carrying the right gear.

Packed up a water bladder, pocket knife and some extra clothes, such as socks and long armed T-shirt and a warmer skullcap. Was wearing windproof jogging pants, flannel shirt and on top a wind proof jacket. On my feet Meindl hiking boots and woolie socks. Chucked in a few granola bars too.

Ligurian valleys