A few days in the Lepini mountains-Concetta Flore

We left Rome to spend a few days at some friend's house, in the low mountain chain some 100 km. south, called Monti Lepini, relatively close to the sea. The chalky rocks make the ground brittle, and though many different kinds of trees grow on these high hills, they are scattered and don't grow tall.
Unfortunately it is a heavily hunted area, and apart from some wary passerines, there isn't much wildlife around nowadays. Horses and sheep fill the air with the sound of their bells, which is nice when there's no shooting.
I just hate the idea that there are persons who love going round and taking the life of innocent creatures, just for fun.
The weather was sunny and the air so clear that the view went as far as the sea, Monte Circeo and the islands behind.
Anyway, the cold wind didn't stop me from sketching some gloriously coloured bramble leaves , and a hilltop with a sanctuary and a large iron cross on its rather dramatic tip.