Monte Croce

Friday morning, and it was time for Pietro and Marijke to head off for their winter quarters in Luxemburg.  However, it was to be a fine day, so after bidding farewell to them, we headed off to the other side of the valley, to Monte Croce (5000 ft).  We climbed this mountain last spring, just a little too early to see the amazing show of daffodils - locally called "giunchiglie" (jonquils).  This time, alas, we were too late, but we had a great day out anyway among the dramatic views and trees in their autumn colours.

The gap on the right is for Pietro, who was taking the picture! 

Seen from the house, Monte Croce is the paler peak in the distance, two in from the left

Young beeches on the way up

On the path ...

... and again

Some of Carrara's marble quarries seen from afar

The going gets tough

The coastal strip and the Med (the Tyrrhenian Sea in fact) seen from the col

Looking in the same direction, but from the summit

The bulk of the Pania della Croce which dominates the Barga area,
seen from the downward path

Beeches again