The daily walks from home fall 100% into the category 'Turismo Lento' or Slow Tourism, the sustainable form of relaxing. And there is so much to see in and around Pantana and Pergola. After two weeks of the same Lockdown run, we can now expand the range considerably again and that leads to surprisingly adventurous trips ...

But first about my Lockdown walk ... officially we were not allowed to go further than 200 meters from home. But that was so crazy close that I soon moved on. In the direction of the forest, up the slope, hop over the chain that must keep the forest path free from hunters, higher and higher ... until the path ends in the field. The view over the valley unfolds between the blooming gorse. Every day along the same path, I knew exactly where that beautiful wild orchid stood. It grew a little more beautiful every day. Until one day it was gone ... I silently cursed the one who couldn't control himself. How small the world became in those two weeks ... distressed by a vanished orchid.

It was wonderful that we were allowed to continue and my first walk was to the river and the waterfall. A route that in the passed I used to do with the dog. But nowadayw often alone. A waterfall with a small basin where I sometimes take a dip on very hot summer days, among the curious trout. The world became a bit bigger again, but the sense of detail remained. And so I photographed almost all the rose bushes in Pantana that were at their best, in mid-May. Running water always has a great attraction and when you see that the cart track continues on the other side ... then the temptation is great to venture the crossing.

After a look at Google Maps I saw that there was also a route where I only had to cross the river on the way back. And so it happened ... the first time alone, the second time with my best Dutch girlfriend who is certainly not afraid of a bit of adventure. We probably fall into the 'tough women' category ... especially in the eyes of the Italian Man. Walking alone is nice, but when we walk together we just have a lot of fun. We also ended up in the bushes on a steep slope because we thought we had found a short route to the road. But it was so steep and impenetrable that I needed a little push, just sticking my overheated, middle-aged head out of the undergrowth when a car passed on the road.

Turismo lento, sustainable relaxation, far away from stress, noise and bustle ... but above all, being satisfied with simple things. An orchid, a river, winding dirt roads. A cappuccino and a pastry afterwards behind the house with a view of the fields. A perfect way to start the day!