Donkey, donkey what can you hear?

I love this picture of these donkeys which we came across when a friend took us up and along the ridge of Monte de Lenno. It was taken at approximately 1500 metres.

The windy road that takes you this far is nerve racking, through dense woodland of chestnut, beech and birch, crossing deep gorges. I must admit I spent most of the journey facing Andrea our friend and looking at the banks rather than looking down. The road leads out of the woodland to an open plateau, an ancient stone building stands alone. In the summer months it is open for refreshments. Goats graze nearby. A sharp bend takes you back on yourself but not through woodland. It shows spectacular views of other mountains and open pastures, full of wild flowers with large horned cattle grazing or laying ruminating. Andrea was very patient with me as I asked repeatedly for him to stop, or wandered on down the narrow track with him crawling behind me in the car. As I leapt out of the car saying how sweet the donkeys were; he in typical Italian style replied 'Mmm Salami'. 

Further along the track which now climbed steadily upwards, more goats grazed alongside more ancient rustic stone buildings. A few kilometres further and the track stopped abruptly with space for a dozen or so cars to park. A restaurant commands views which pan forever. A short walk from this restaurant, where you climbed even higher you could see the lakes of Como and Lugano, by looking left or right. Stupendous. A narrow path took you through herds of friendly cows, some with very long horns. Lunch was typical of a rustic trattoria, two choices for a main course, one for a dessert, the first a selection of cheese that you wouldn't find in any shop and home made cold meats. It was one of the best days I have had since we moved here.