Goodbye, a quick trip to Tuscany, and hello

We were pleased to see the chaps from Umbra Aque arrive to fix the leaking pipe behind the house. The track is difficult enough to negotiate without it being muddy as well.

 

 

Off to Deruta to revel in the beautiful ceramics again before lunch at one of our favourite restaurants.

 

 

Next day we were off to Orvieto, about an hour and a half south-west of Assisi. The town perched on top of this large tufa rock never ceases to inspire.

 

For Chris' last night, dinner at Livia's with Piero and Birgitta - more than 10 separate dishes cooked and served by Livia and her husband. No menu, no wine list. You eat what has been prepared that day with house white or red wine. Buonissimo!

 

Next day, we took Chris to nearby Perugia airport to catch her flight to London to catch up with her daughter. The rest of us then had a well earned quiet evening. We loaded Vicki and Graeme onto the train the next morning(Monday).

Four days before our next visitors. Washing and cleaning done, we decided to check out the Brunello wine region in Tuscany for a couple of days.

 

Marg Pont told us about a little town called San Quirico which has reasonably priced accommodation in the centre of town. A comfortable, double room for 45 euro! Here's Jan entering the hotel. We had our own key since the owners are not on the premises.

It was a charming town. We picked up 5 litres of vino rosso (red wine) in a cantina for 8.50 euro - about $9.50. Good quaffer!

 

We liked the live cat in this shop window. It looked quite at home.

 

 

Despite the fact we are well away from the coast, we both had delicious seafood meals for dinner in the restaurant opposite the hotel.

It was a little tricky to sleep that night as the church bells across the piazza rang on the hour, quarter hour after and before, and half hour.

 

After breakfast of croissant/donut and coffee, back in the car and off to Montalcino, the real heart of famous Brunello wine. 

 

 

 

This sign might give you an idea of why we decided not to buy a bottle of Brunello wine. These prices were for TASTING it, not buying it.

 

 

Great views of Tuscany from the fort at the top of the town.

 

 

The vineyards are just beginning to get their autumn colour.

 We were surprised how dry and bare the hills were, ploughed after the last crop of sunflowers we think.

 

 

One our way home we popped into Pienza, a smaller town on the way home, famous for its cheese.

 

 

 

We arrived home in time to prepare a four course meal for Piero and Birgitta. It was lovely to have them in our home and entertain them for a change. Birgitta has fed every visitor we've had so far!

 

Bill, Karen and Karen's dad Gordon arrived by train at midday. Yet another beautiful day, so lunch on the terrace under the grapes. Karen's waited about 4 years to do this!

 

 

We made sure we stocked up on liquid supplies in anticipation of their arrival.

 

 

Then into Assisi for a quick look at the St Francis markets.

 

 

Here were are agreeing on a meeting place in case we separated in the mob buying their bargains. It was just as well as we gave poor Gordon the slip when we ducked into an ATM.

 

I'll finish with some moods of Mt Subasio taken from our bedroom window...