Another beautiful sunny day in Aosta! We take the bus and head 6km west of Aosta through vineyards and orchards to the castle of Sarre. It is perched high up on a cliff and a flock of sheep is grazing just below the walls. Originally built in the middle ages, it was completely renovated in the eighteenth century. The baron doing the renovations went bankrupt so the castle was bought by Victor Emmanuel 11, the king of Italy who turned it into a hunting lodge. His trophies are all on display. According to our guide, there are more than a thousand ibex antlers and hundreds of the smaller chamois antlers! They are positioned on the walls and ceilings and the effect is brilliant. Photos are not allowed in the castle which is a real pity. Our tour is in Italian but the lady takes us aside and explains briefly in English the important features of each room. There are three levels to the house. The living quarters on the ground floor, the private apartments of the king and queen on the first floor and the children and servants on the second floor. We have a look at the small chapel on our way out. Across the road is Aymavilles Castle, its four cylindrical towers hard to miss. It isn't open today so we take some photos from the outside. Back in Aosta it is lunchtime. We try to buy bread rolls at the bakery but it is closed for lunch! Many of the shops close for lunch. The main street is very busy. School children are allowed home for lunch and they are all getting off buses and crowding around. We have lunch at the hotel today and finish it off with a cup of tea on the sunny terrasse with the snow covered mountain peaks towering above us. Truly relaxing. Colin decides to find more Roman ruins and walks to the Cryptoporticus. This is built underground and is a covered area where the Roman people could meet in the shade. Much archeological work is being done in Aosta in this, the bimillennial year of the death of Emperor Augustus! Meanwhile I need some more knitting needles! I've broken 6 needles since I left home!! But no luck in Aosta. One lady will only sell needles if I buy the wool as well! I meet Colin at Groms the Gelataria. Strawberry and vanilla for me, cassata and vanilla for Colin. Yum.....