Upon arrival into Italy from the north, one of the first towns to encounter is Aosta – a personal favourite. There are many beautiful shops and things, lots of tourism and a breathtaking backdrop of the alpine mountain range.

Whilst walking through the town’s shopping district to procure a bottle of Genepy liqueur – a local speciality made from the local alpine plant Artemesia glacialis (remembering that Absinthe is made from Artemesia absinthium), it came to my attention there is a shop here selling all manner of obscure clocks. Ah HA! So I thought! Here’s an opportunity! So I went back to the carpark and set about making up six clocks to show and offer.

Sadly, upon enquiry, it was learned that Aosta has been experiencing it’s leanest summer in memory. “Just look at the number of shopping bags that people are carrying” said the shopkeeper. “Unfortunately, we are selling our clocks at discount to clear the line and to cease offering clocks for sale”

Bah. Them’s the breaks, tho at least we have six clocks to show off when we get further south!