With apologies to Col. Sharpe.

This shot is looking back to the left from outside our hotel.

I've mentioned previously that the Italian economy has more than a few problems. Sometimes the evidence for this manifests itself in subtle ways. Obviously at some point a footpath, guttering and lights were put in here, and a pedestrian crossing was added.

However the crossing is now faded and the footpath and guttering is being rapidly overgrown, though it probably took a while to get to this extent.

I don't think that it's unreasonable to assume that there's an issue with the maintenance budget here.