These are a few of our favourite things

The owner of this baby was
happy to show him off

Sunset from Rocca Maggiore (Fort)
at the top of Assisi

 Old and dear friends Jennifer Brownlow and then Win Morgan replaced departing guests and we embarked on another adventure together.  Both Win and Jen had spent time here before (this is Win’s third visit) so we’ve had a very relaxed week.

We thought we’d share a few of our favourite Italian things in this blog…

Morning on Mt Subasio
from our bedroom window

• waking to the different moods of Mount Subasio and the Paradiso valley
• coming down for breakfast to the sound of the 9 o’clock bells from the church across the valley

• the antics of the baby burro (donkey) at the agriturismo (farm stay) at the end of the drive
• gelato in flavours such as fig and walnut, chocolate and orange, and hazelnuts and chocolate (baci)
• coffee with a mouthwatering pastry (NOT the ones filled with nutella!)
• sunsets from Mount Subasio and the fort above Assisi
• reading or sipping vino on the terrace under the grapevine in the dappled sunshine

• getting to know some local Italians and so feeling a bit less of a tourist
• almost ALL Italian food
• picking figs, grapes and apples around the house

Janice and John were
avid fig hunters!



Can't get fresher than this

• returning hospitality to Birgitte and Piero (we enjoyed his grappa more this time, which is a worry…)



Piero and Birgitte (either side of Jan)



• buying plaited onions and garlic at the markets in town piazzas
• eating roast pork rolls at the St Francis fair
• absorbing the tranquillity of the hermitage where Francis spent many hours alone with God
• the rumble and squeak of old tractors ploughing the steep fields surrounding the house
• Luna the lunatic dog from next door
• delight when Marg’s Italian is understood
• wandering the streets of Assisi at different times of the day
• spectacular views of olive groves, vineyards and ancient farm houses among rolling hills
• discovering new towns or new corners in familiar ones
• sharing all these experiences with friends

Porchetta panini (roast pork rolls) - yum!

Win and Jennifer
wondering at the simplicity
of a 'prayer cell' of a
friar of St Francis at the hermitage

Gelati in Cortona - far right is Isobel,
a lovely English tourist
 we spent some time with