We spent around eight days at the northern end of Lake Como, above the town of Domaso. Domaso seemed to be far north enough to avoid almost all the tourists, but still typically picturesque. On the first day I mistook an excess water drainage system for a safe alcove in which to keep my stuff during a downpour and came out, after the rain had stopped, to find my entire kit floating in the waves. From then on we had excellent weather, though I was still collecting washed up brushes off the beach at the end of the week.

The vicoli were invariably charming, and provided good cover from the midday sun, occasional shower and most of the tourists.

We got up into the hills occasionally, and found a bunch of kids playing who were keen to pose for our paintings. We wanted to get their donkey, Furia, in too, but as her name suggests she wouldn’t stay put.