Hotel Alpi - the warmth of Family

We stayed at Hotel Alpi in Campitello di fassa, in the Dolomites. 

What a cracking choice! Obviously run by generations of one family, with love and attention to detail not found in the corporate dens spread elsewhere.

As a Brucie Bonus, one of the family has a passion for beer, and brews a full palate of styles from around the world, on site! It would have been rude not to sample all that Bar Rampeér had to offer..... What stood out for me was their consistency in flavour, without a hint of over hopping. Superb quality. 

The Hotel also pitches itself as a 'Wellness resort'. We plan to sample this when the weather breaks bad.

Fizzies

 

Remember these? 50cc pocket rockets. They had this beaut in the local showroom today. A Yamaha FS1E, hence the nickname fizzie.

From AI:-

In the UK during the 1970s, 16-year-olds could ride 50cc mopeds, but they were restricted to 30mph and often had to have pedals as an alternative method of propulsion. These mopeds were a popular choice for young people, offering a sense of freedom and independence, especially after a change in the law limited 16-year-olds to 50cc machines. 

I recall all the naughty boys having one. They were real death traps. 16 year olds with no fear on nifty little machines. Luckily, I didn't want one, and waited for my first car, a Hillman Imp, in royal blue, something like this, but with much more holes in it, and rust patches:-

Top of the World, Ma!

 

Or with Snow:-

Keep a welcome in (Beverly) Hillside

Who stays true to their roots, whilst shining amongst the stars? You decide.

Anthony Hopkins

 Tom Jones

Richard Burton

Micheal Sheen

Yet another reason to love Sheen

Train in vein?

 

Certainly got my veins throbbing......

Himmelfahrt to Collalbo

Oh, what to eat & drink?

Iceman part 2

 

Following on from this post, We've seen him! In the (frozen) flesh, and in full glorious reconstruction.

What a fab museum. All about him and the huge range of items found with him. A real eye-opening view of what his life consisted of, what was needed to survive and thrive in the Copper Age, and the introduction to the mystery of why he was killed. I was stunned by the number, variety, and quality of finds the museum has. From a superb example of a flint knife, and its scabbard, a partly finished ash bow, arrows & quiver, to the clothing & storage he carried. Truly breathtaking - I found myself exclaming 'wow' out loud several times. 

If you'd like to know more, cliquez ici.

Or ici

 

The Law According to Lidia Poët (TV review - spoilers)

A topical post from Italy (although not Turin)

IMDB:- the Law according to Lidia Poët  7.5

Showing on :- Netflix

A quite interesting romp of a costume drama from Netflix Italy. I must say the dubbing was fantastic, & hardly noticable. It's based on a true story about a pioneering feminist lawyer, and her fight for equatlity in turn of the century Italy. Don't think that is the only story though, it's just the backdrop. I suppose it's really a murder mystery drama, with Lidia detecting like a good-un to prove her charge's innocent. The characters were believable, witty & sometimes rude, and for a woman who never married, she was not shy of liasons of the heart. (Tits & bums alert). The settings are superb, as are the costumes. They must have had a big budget, & it shows.

8/10

In Training

 

Following the Adige up into the mountains 

Success!  Bozen/ Bolzano

In fair Verona

 Two households, both alike in dignity, 

In fair Verona where we lay our scene, 

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

House Matteo and House Owellio meet up to contest the love of fair Italia under clear blue skies in Verona's fair city

What a lovely place! As beautiful as any in Tuscany, or Puglia.  It's amazing that Verona is not as lauded as other Italian gems. I'm so glad we decided to spend time here on our way to see Ötzi in Bolzano. 

Luckily the skies were cloudless & the early autumnal sun shone kindly on us. Just enough to warm us on our meanderings through this fair city. I would heartily recommend any traveller with a soul to visit this place

 

King & Conqueror (TV review - spoilers)

IMDB:- King & Conqueror  5.3

Showing on :- BBC iPlayer 

Well well well. What to say. The writers play fast & loose with History. I guess it's a drama, but I feel a little uneasy with changing documented events, and presenting it as 'King & Conqueror', i.e. the story of William & Harald. Perhaps if it was called something different? I have no problem with Tarrantino killing off Hitler in 'Inglorious Basterds', as he didn't call it "Hitler & Churchill".

The sets were interesting, again not historically accurate, neither was the armour, fighting strategies, and even some of the names. I have no issue with actors of different ethnic backgrounds playing any role. 

Saying all this, The plot moved on quite well, some of the events were played as documented, and the gist of the story remained true. The plotting, politics & betrayals were done well. It turns out that a crown can have a similar effect as the one ring of power.

I think the IMDB 5.3 is a bit harsh, & I suppose I'd give it a 

7/10

More views? The Radio Times does a good job here:- King & Conqueror falls short of The Last Kingdom – but why? | Radio Times 

Tatler's view:-  How accurate is King & Conqueror? From regicide to bathtub rendezvous, what does the BBC get right about the Battle of Hastings? | Tatler 

Rotten Tomatoes:- King & Conqueror: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes 

Briefly, the last kingdom got the balance of history & entertainment right, king & Conqueror disnae.