Above is a Corsican chestnut. What you might not know is that it advanced Corsican physical and psychological sciences significantly. By measuring the time it takes a chestnut to fall from a stool to the ground (physics), you can accurately predict the time it takes from a trigger to an emotional reaction (psychology). *
Today we had another small hike on our menu. Starting point was close to home base (just 35 minutes away but high up at 1600m) and the aim was to reach Lac de Bastani (2100m) or even Monte Renoso (2352m). The temperature had dropped overnight and by the time we’d driven up many switchbacks the outside temperature was 8°C. The sun was shining when we left home, and only a shower was in the forecast, so we weren’t too worried when it started to drizzle.
Unfortunately it only got colder and the drizzle morphed into a full blown snow / hail experience. Luckily we were adequately prepared, knowing that temperatures drop with every altitude meter, but a pair of gloves would have been very nice.
Just in time before we reached the lake, the sky cleared a bit
But afterwards the clouds descended again and hail and wind picked up and with the certainty that the mountain would be in the clouds we scrapped the last 250m and slowly and safely retreated back down the mountain.
And then we are back in the car with seat and steering wheel heater and after a little while in our house in Ghisoni with a beer, a bottle of local wine and a load of leftover pasta with zucchini and tomato sauce. Simple tastes, but so rewarding after a long day out.
We actually haven’t gone out for dinner much at all. Corsica is one of the places which hasn’t received the vegetarian / vegan memo yet. The only non-meat / fish items on the menu seem to be green salad and french fries which is a bit sad. I am however making vegan exceptions for the famous Corsican cheese!
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