Two days ago this bush was not blooming, and now, as if it knows it's the first day of spring, it is. So it was a perfect day to take myself to the Camelia Show in Pallanza, Verbania. I took the bus from Stresa, 2 euro for the 15 minute ride to Pallanza. La 43 annuale Mostra Nazionale della Camelia was held in Villa Giulia:

The crowd is gathered around the table because free aperitivi and champagne were being served. Champagne in crystal flutes. Delicious aperitivi, tuna in balsalmic vinegar, shrimp, bruschetta, tiny fruit tortas, each served in its own individual little ceramic tureen. You can't hear them, but just to the right was a three-piece ensemble, playing classic tunes. The day is a bit colder than it looks in this bright sunshine, but it didn't seem to deter people from coming. The view behind me was this one of Lago Maggiore looking towards Pallanza, with the Alps in the background:And then of course there were the camelias, over 200 varieties on display: