It’s officially autumn in Italy and the seaside is more glorious than ever.

Baba Cesare remains near us at Guzzano which means he still finds the weather warm enough to delay any return to his ashram in Hampi, India.

Last Friday we had our own ‘fish Friday’, Italian style, by lunching off the catch from the little fishing boats in the port of Viareggio.

We finished our lunch with a delicious ice cream on the spacious seaside promenade.

For swimming we chose our favourite ‘secret’ spot near Migliarino which was wonderfully sparsely peopled.

I enjoy the start of the Italian sea bathing season and its end (which this year is lusciously prolonged). I’d happily give a miss for the ‘high season’ here and head for some secluded spot in the southern part of the peninsula.

Last Friday we had the best of everything at the seaside, fried fish, ice-cream, clean, almost empty beaches, a gentle sea and a splendid sunset.

We took Sandra’s mum with us. This year was her 97th birthday.