Bologna

Wednesday :

Today my lovely school friends left! 

We had a slow start as they had to pack and Anne is a meticulous packer! 

Then Anne confessed to a very sore foot and stayed at home while we went up to Arqua Petraca our nearby hill town. It's a lovely little place and we met a few locals , which isn't hard with Geoff Shaw around as he talks to everyone! 

After lunch we drove them to Padova and tearfully hugged them goodbye. 

Thank you my lovely friends for coming all this way to spend time together.

Thursday:

Another early start - which for me is hard! 

We got the train from Monselice to Bologna, a trip of about and hour. 

This time we started with coffee and then headed for the main piazza. I was here a few years ago, on my own and probably walked most of it so I became the unofficial guide. The others took the tour bus which is a good one as it gives a great overview of this lovely city. It is a city of towers and porticos. 

While they were touring I walked and re-oriented myself and selected somewhere nice for lunch. I asked a lovely young women in a shop and she said to avoid the few near her shop- too touristico! And she guided me to an alley nearby and Tratorria Guido. 

When the others arrived back we walked the few streets to the markets. They are great little markets with the most colourful vegetables. Vivid purple melanzana, stripy beans, flowering zucchini , tomatoes of all sizes and the most vibrant of colours from red to green. The fish was shiney , the squid  ink black, prawns  all shades of orange. Geoff bought his usual sausage to keep him going and the girls bought some aged balsamico to take back as gifts. 

We made our way to the restaurant and, yes, it was a winner. Geoff and the daily special something he's been wanting- corniglia or rabbit ! Lindy and Chris and the baked lamb and Jill had pappardelle ragu. All super delicious. 

After lunch the boys left us to our wandering and we explored  the streets and piazzas including the lovely Santo Stefano where I had a lovely drink several years ago. This time we had  delicious gelati. It was gorgeous especially my new flavour - Italian opera! As everything in Italy is something of an opera (drama) it is an appropriate new flavour. It is creamy, a little sweet, explosions of flavour from the praline crips planted inside the gelato. Yum! 

We discovered some more portico and a huge church where we rested our tired feet. We got the train back but not with out our own Italian Opera drama. We hadn't validated the ticket and Geoff hopped off the train to do so and disappeared. We were thinking he wouldn't make it back when all of a sudden there he was. 

We arrived home hot, tired and very happy we had left some food from last night for our snack dinner. We had leftover cheese, pesto, olives, tomatoes, bread, and even some warm pork salad.  Oh did I mention I'm enjoying the Prosecco! 

We all had a huge sleep last night and our last day here will be spent pottering in the area around our house. It edges onto the National Park and has some interesting towns nearby. There  are spas, so we might indulge in a mud bath or a " treatment". Perhaps a lovely lunch at an agriturismo as this area has lots to offer in the food area. It is different to Umbria and Tuscany but is so interesting and not overrun by tourists. It's quieter and costs half as much.

The other night we had dinner at Da Mario a nearby little place tucked away in a country lane. It was fantastic and cost us all of $18 Australian dollars. We shared starters, had gorgeous mains and shared desert and vino della casa. Superb ! 

Rusticolucio- and goodbye to friends

Wednesday :

Today my lovely school friends left! 

We had a slow start as they had to pack and Anne is a meticulous packer! 

Then Anne confessed to a very sore foot and stayed at home while we went up to Arqua Petraca our nearby hill town. It's a lovely little place and we met a few locals , which isn't hard with Geoff Shaw around as he talks to everyone! 

After lunch we drove them to Padova and tearfully hugged them goodbye. 

Thank you my lovely friends for coming all this way to spend time together.

One of my favourite things in Italy

I love Paris - as the song goes ..... I love Paris in the rain! Luckily as it has rained almost everyday. Not really heavy just a little bit. 

Still we are getting out and seeing lots .

Some of the highlights:

Having lunch with Monique a young 26 year old friend of Peter and Carmel. She has a great job in Paris and had lots of stories to tell us about life in Paris - oh to be young! 

Tuesday night we went to dinner at Annie and Serge's flat, with their children Fabian 27 and Camille 23. Camille did an exchange and lived at the Harrison's for 10 weeks. They are a lovely couple and we had lots of champagne and a beautiful dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. We started with a black skinned faddish and page. A pork cheek dish and five cheeses and then a strawberry tart! We walked a lot today. 

Wednesday we met Annie for lunch at Madeleine and after she took me to her hairdresser to make an appointment for next week . Yes readers, I'm to have the French stylist and colourist! Just a little worried about the cost but it's not every day I have my hair done in Paris.

Went to a Vivaldi concert at St Chappell. What a wonderful experience. Heavenly . 

Thursday we met Jill and Chris again after their Croatia trip . Lovely treat to spend the day together. We went shopping for gifts for their daughters at a gorgeous little shop in the Marais, walked to the left bank and had lunch, then explored the area I'll be returning to the week after next.

Thursday night we had dinner at Montmartre and then went to Moulin Rouge. What an experience ! We had to queue with everyone despite booking tickets . In we went to a huge theatre restaurant style place got our good table, ice bucket with 3 bottles of champagne, and then the show started . It was colourful, fast, fun and an eyeful! Spotted Morgan Kenny - daughter of Lisa and Grant. Such a pretty girl with big ...... blue eyes. 

Got home at 2.30 am so had to sleep in the next day . Took the number 69 bus all around the streets of Paris. What value for the price of a bus ticket. 

Last dinner was at the same place as the first night. Very good food and waiters really friendly.

So now it's goodbye to Paris for a week. Carmel and I are off to the Loire to a little place called Sancerre well known for its goats cheese and its white wine. Picking up a car tomorrow and off we go! 

Anne Narelle Jill and Lindy with me in Padova

Colourful Burano

Venice with Narelle and Anne

Venice

Tuesday: Beautiful Venice

An early start - down to Monselice station and a prima classe seat to Venice. We arrived in brilliant sunshine. Walking out of the station and seeing the busy waterway, the voices, the huge church opposite, the water taxi, people wheeling suitcases and suddenly you feel like you have walked onto a movie set.

We went to the ticket office and negotiated the ticket price for the new vapporetta Grand Canal ride. It was 25 euro and was good value for what we wanted. We decided to visit Burano, the lace island. Only Chris and Jill had been there before. We discussed how to get there and decided one ferry ride would be good . Well an hour or so later we had toured all the waterways of Venice and arrived at Burano . It was warm and sunny and the buildings looked gorgeous in the bright little colours- red, blue, green , pink, really beautiful. W walked, admired the lace and found a good place for lunch. After a walk around and a spot of shopping we headed back to Venice. The boys (Geoff and Chris) have been great. Very accommodating towards the 5 women. Very patient. 

When we got back we decided to separate and do what we wanted as wandering with 7 people is molto difficile ! So I headed off to tour the Opera House La Fenice. It is beautiful. I did my own little tour and loved seeing it all.

We met again at the railway station at 6.30 as the last train home was at 7 pm. 

Sadly I missed seeing friends Brian and Pauline Jordan who were arriving in Venice later in the night

Rusticolucia

Well here we are at Rusticolucia!
You may have seen the photo on the last post. It's a wonderful place for a group and we are having lots of fun. Sorting out who slept in which room was a hoot. We finally got it sorted and we are having lots of laugh. Yesterday was spent in Padua and we checked out the huge Duomo and Cathedral.  
Last night we walked to out local pizza restaurant and had a lovely Italian style pizza. 

Bardolino to Padova

First of all please excuse typos! It's hard to type on the iPad when you can't see what you are typing!

Yesterday we packed up and yes dear readers,  for some it was difficult because of the extra few things purchased at the very good Barolino markets.
We drove the A1 to padova and then on to Rusticolucia about half and hour south. It was a beautiful afternoon , sun shining and the countryside looking green  due to the recent rain. When we got to the house Chris and Jill had just arrived and were having a tour with the delightful Camilla. She is the daughter of the owners and has very good English. Her parents from Verona arrived a short time later and were just the most gorgeous couple. They had wine and a beautiful marmelatta tart waiting for us.

We went up to the nearby village- yes all up hill , for lunch and a little while later  Lindy and Geoff arrived at the nearby station Monselice. So we had all made it to Rusticolucia without mishap.

After sorting rooms- there are 5 bedrooms -so we all got our own rooms in various colours , we set off for the supermarket. What a hoot. All 7 of us wandering around selecting the food for the night and the wine to be drunk!
We decided to cook one of the recipes I had done on the cooking class in Lucca. Porcini mushrooms with prawns over fettuccine !
Geoff and Chris organised the drinks using the ice ( so hard to find) to chill it down. After a lovely welcome drink on the terrace outside our holiday together had officially begun. Only thing missing was Steve!

We discussed the next few days and sorted out where we wanted to go and tomorrow it will be to nearby Padua.
Sadly my school friends Narelle and Anne ( queen of logic - sorry Ann Graham but Anne V topped the state in logic) will be leaving us on Wednesday. It's been wonderful having them here and renewing our 45+ years of friendship. Yesterday they gave me a beautiful scarf with hand stitching- I had admired it and they wanted to thank me , so bought it as a present. It's gorgeous. 

VERONA

Today we got up early and set off for the bus at 9.30. Well not all that early for you readers. It it was for us! The crowd at the bus stop grew and grew until we realised we wouldn't all fit on the bus. Sure enough it came and we being the little quiet Aussie girls were at the back of the queue. There was nearly an "incidentee" until the driver promised to get another bus along in 10 mins. Well sure enough it came and we got a seat. We arrived in Verona and set off for Guiliettes house Hague. It was a crush of people and completely spoilt the atmosphere . W spent the day walking and exploring this lovely small city with its churches, Opera arena, bridges and lovely bridges.

We managed to find the bus stop and returned to Bardolino in time for an aperitif .  This was followed by dinner and lots of chatting. We love having this time together and every night thank God for allowing us this time together. ( not to mention our husbands)

So many funny stories from today
The wedding in the chapel at the Cathedral ( what mother of the bride would wear homi peds at her daughters wedding - in Italy the home of the shoe) Tacky.
However in the Chapel we listened to the singer getting ready. It was beautiful. The priest came over to us ( we were by now sitting in the 15 th century choir stalls) and spoke to us about the history of the chapel .

The bus driver : stopping  at a stop : a young mother with a baby wanting to get on. Driver tells her to put the stroller under the bus! She looks puzzled: he  smiles and suggests she fold it up with the baby inside: then he hops down : holds  the baby while she folds the stroller. This was hard for her : so another young man hops off and helps her . All the while the driver is cuddling the baby. He cooes and smiles and the people on the bus all smile and clap: end of story!

Arriving back in Bardolino we went back to the same bar by the water front for a drink and the waiter remembered us and our order. This is why I love Italy!

Bardolino

This is a beautiful place to spend a few days or more!
Today some great markets, a lovely lunch , an aperitif and dinner at a lovely little restaurant . Tomorrow off to Verona.

Narelle bought a great leather coat from Pasquale! He was the true Italian charmer. She couldn't make up her mind. The coat was gorgeous but it was expensive. He was doing his best and then didn't like it when I suggested she think about it and come back! He used all his charm and she finally agreed on a price and the deal was done! Check out the photo on Facebook!

Bought some lovely red loafers at the markets. Anne and I are having a scarf competition! Andwe all bought some colourful Italian china.

Lovely dinner at a little family run trattoria . Though we think they are over the summer and ready for a break! Not quite as friendly as they could be! Food however was delicious.

A wander along the water front, a little dance in the piazza near our apartment and bed.

Lake Garda

Today we changed locations and the difference between a charming hill town - Spello - and a smart lake side holiday place- Bardolino- is amazing. The drive took about 5 hours and was freeway all the way . I did all the driving ( wow even I'm impressed) and some of it was in the rain . Narelle and Anne are great to travel with and we had lots of laughs along the way. We arrived in Bardolino on Lake Garda and the sun shone.

Our apartment is big and right in the center of town, a  block back from the lake. We went for a long walk along the lakeside and spotted many German tourists, bike rider galore, joggers, lovers, duck feeder, a clarinetist sitting on a rock by the water playing a haunting melody, ferries arriving and leaving, rows of colourful flowers, decking going for miles, people sitting in bars sipping on the drink of choice for an aperitif - Aperol and Prosecco spritz . It wa all very charming. We returned to the unit to have a shower and off to a seafood restaurant next to the apartment and the heavens opened!

After a lovely dinner we are back in the unit preparing for a well deserved rest.

Just let me tell you about the parking at the Apartment. We had to book a spot before to secure one of only 8 spots. We couldn't see how to get into it as it all courtyard in front of the apartment.
The lady said to drive in the gate and wait. She pressed a button and out of the ground came a garage rising from the floor like something from a stage show. It was hysterical to watch it appear ( with a table from the courtyard restaurant still on the top!
I then had to drive the car in , hop out and she pressed another button and the car slowly disappeared into the depths below and the floor of the garage all covered with  courtyard tiles settle back into position. What a show!
I then went down some stairs and drove it out of the garage and into one of the 8 spots! Italian technology. Wish I could post a picture.

Montefalco and Bevanga

After not tasting too much wine we had lunch and then moved off the the next village -  passing tractors for the parade as we went.

We arrived in Bevagna in the siesta hours and it was so quiet!

We walked and visited churches. They are very different here . We thought it seemed a very religious place and even found a beautiful B&B in an old cloistered monastery . We later heard there were 18 churches and 3 monasteries ! Very religious indeed.

We decided to visit the Palazzo Cort deli Angeli in the main part of town and had a personal tour. It is now a hotel in one Palazzo and the owners still live int eh second Palazzo. They are joined by a garden with gorgeous roses. We were taken though the houses and into the restaurant by a charming young woman and told about the history of the place. For 3euro we felt very special.

W returned to Spello and had a great dinner at La Cantina. I had grilled chicken and it was yum! It was interesting watching the locals and the tourists all in their various sized parties enjoying a night out.

The next day we went to Assisi. I'd been before in 2001 but it stormed that day and we saw very little . This time we saw "everything" . All the churches. We walked the tail of St Francis and St Clare. We had a lovely day and were so tired when we got home! We revisited our favourite little restaurant "drinking wine" . The host knows us now and we see him each morning as well. That's what is nice about being in a small village . They get to know you!

The next morning we visited our usual coffee shop and the lady there greeted us like old friends. She is such a glamourous lady. Always dressed beautifully, aged around 40 long dark hair, usually a little ( or a lot ) of cleavage on show, always friendly even when chatting into her mobile phone which she does regularly - and she remembers our order and has started making us extra hot( for Italy) lattes.
Anne wasn't feeling well so decided to stay at home so Narelle and I headed off to Spoleto after sending a box thought the post . Just a few things I've  finished with!

Drove half and hour south and arrived in Spoleto. Another hill town! Beautiful Duomo and quiet streets. Went up to the fort on the hill and explored the place. Most exciting was the "incidentee" We saw a police car and heard some shouting. 2 young men and a pretty girl where all talking at once and an older man was shouting. From what I could pick up

SPELLO

Wifi difficult toget but found it today free in the lovely little piazza in Spello . Sitting now with some very fashionable nonnas who are into fashion. They are all beautifully dressed and are talking about their clothes. All have lovely leather shoes on, beautifully done hair, and big sunnies. They are gorgeous to watch and listen to.

Managed to collect the car and find our way out of Rome on a wet rainy day. Not too stressful and "Out lady of directions" as we call the nat sav is very quiet sometimes and gives directions at the last minute which puts us off.
Arrived lovely Spello in the afternoon only 15 mins late and got into our lovely apartment after walking down quite a steep rocky  path. All good going down but we are slightly worried about dragging the bags back up.
The apartment is wonderful and I could stay a month just here.
The first day we got to know Spello and then in the afternoon went to nearby Foligno for a big festival called Quintana . It is something everyone should experience but beware, they say it started at 9.15 pm so we got to the town in a booked taxi at around 5 to walk the town watch the preparations etc which was all fun. It reminded me of the festival we went to in Chuisi when with Ginetta and Wendy back in 2001. Only this one started late . 9.15 came and went and it became windy and cold we walked around , everyone else looked quite happy to line the barriers with nothing happening but we were getting a little anxious as we were being picked up again but the taxi and 10.15. Well the time passed and we saw them wandering around loosely forming into parade style in magnificent costume . The horses  were dressed and everyone young and old were parading and just as the main thing was starting we left! Never mind there is always another time.



Next day the weather was gorgeous so we headed off to the wine festival in nearby Montefalco. Is a lovely hill town and was packed with the young and gorgeous all with festival bag around their neck with their wine glass in storage for all the tastings. We didn't taste too much.
Then headed off to Bevagna another gorgeous little town. Had our usual gelato and toured the quiet Sunday streets. Came upon a palazzo that had been converted into a beautiful hotel and got ourselves a little tour around with a gorgeous young woman. Such a lovely way to pass the time.

Back home to Spello for a gorgeous dinner at our local trattoria. Heaven and many laughs with Anne and Narelle.

Fabulous Food Tour

Off bright and early in a taxi to Testaccio to meet a group for the walking food tour. Our guide was Sarah the American girl. The rest of the group were Americans. Very diverse group and we found out a lot about them!
We started with a walk to a near by bar for a morning coffee and cornetto and tiramisu  Then we continued to walk and took in pizza and then the deli and then found out about the cheese and meats then a visit to the cemetery - non Italian Non Catholic cemetery . It was so beautiful and peaceful . Keats and Shelley are both buried there. We moved on to the markets and tried the fresh version of bruschetta and then fresh buffalo mozzarella . Delicious . Now keep in mind we walking and the portions were very small!
So we then heard the history of this ancient area including the slaughter house - and how the hill of Testaccio was formed with the broken pots used for oil.
Then it was onto a new place for suppli - a form of arancini. It had beef cubes in a ball of rice then fried.  We then went to a restaurant  and had 3 forms of pasta and wine. It was around this time that we started to get the giggles. Our Ameican guide told us so much about herself..... That we thought she must be about 50 to have fitted it all in ! We were pretty much ignored as the other  became all chummy. It's funny how some people are  not very interested in others!

Our last stop for he day was Giotti - the most wonderful old fashioned gelateria . We learned about flavours etc. I. Had fichi and banana. Delicious. Remember small serves!

We are now back at home- in the apartment in Campo de Fiori listening to the rain. We'll head out soon for our evening passeggiata .
Later: what a night of the beautiful ( young models in Rome) and the not so beautiful -us in rain gear looking rather second hand!


Tomorrow a new adventure as we pick up the car. 

Rome in a day

Wed 12th
My poor friends were so tired after their flight we were slow to start today. When we finally got going we walked towards the Vatican along Via Guila and then the river. I went into St Peter's again and I still never tire of it. The paintings, the light, the feeling. This is despite the crowds . Rome is very crowded at the moment. More so than Florence.
We walked around  and decided to do the bus tour to save Anne's poor feet. That made it easier to see some of the main sights.
Later that evening we went to Armando's for dinner. It's near the Pantheon and I went there with Catherine and the girls several years ago. It was also part of the Masterchef show . So our meal there was very good .
A little window shopping a small glass of wine near Campo dee Fiori and off to bed.
Looking forward to tomorrows food tour.

Roma

Last day together in Florence

We had our last day together in Rome. It was beautiful. Strolling the streets , rounding a corner to see the glittering walls of the Duomo, the slow moving Arno River, the vespers zipping around the corners. A visit  to the Medici Chapel had me downloading a book about the Medici reign onto my Kindle. 
A little treat  was a visit to the Gucci Museum! It's in prime position in the piazza opposite David and is in an ancient Palazzo. What a charming place. The history of the label spread over 3 floors. Fascinating social history. We got a little weary and stopped in the reading room for a glass of wine and a view over the Piazza. All really lovely. 
I had a little treat for myself as well. 
I bought ( after careful negotiation - skills honed in Beijing)! A beautiful ring , on the Ponte di Vecchio- a kind of retirement 
present to myself. It's white gold with coloured stones around the ring. Really  lovely. 
Then back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. After dinner we were leaving the restaurant when I bumped into Mark Allen I naturally asked  where Annette was - to be told her father had
passed away and she had gone home for the funeral. Sad time for
them . She'll be back in a week so Mark was still with their friends.
Annette and I taught at St Joseph's together .

Back to the hotel to pack my slightly bulging bag, bed and a
restless night . Must be sad about leaving Cathering but excited
about seeing old school friends.

Catching the train at 10.48 to Rome. Catherine off to Bologna. Hope I get to meet the girls ok! 

Florence

I'm enjoying Florence so much more than I thought  I would. It's not quite as crowded as I imagined and it's so beautiful. We visited the Pitti Palace and were so early we got into the gardens before anyone else. It was glorious. We have walked along the streets in the footsteps of the Medicis .
I just downloaded a book about the Medici family so will be absorbed for a few days.

Sunday night we went over the river to find a restaurant a local lady we met had told us about. We  got to the piccolo piazza and found them setting up for a concert. We got a great table and were given yet another complimentary Prosecco " gratis della casa" . The restaurant was called quatro leoni and the place was jumping. We sat outside with a view across the piazza and just watched the evening unfold with mostly locals dropping by for a drink or .......

Whilst they waited for the concert to begin. We thought it would start around 8 as the band were on and off the stage tuning, fixing lights, having a ciggi, drinking vino, chatting to locals etc. so we enjoyed our antipasti, our vino della casa, the pollo alla limone, vedura etc.  it was a constant floor show for us.
We saw lovers  kissing, children running, a man making pork rolls ( like a BBQ only better) waiters flying around, people choosing seats for the concert, oldies greeting each other with cascades of kisses, people of all ages licking gelato,  ladies in lovely linen dresses reserving seats for their friends, a lady with her dog taking up a whole seat and no one seeming to mind.

The camera man had the stage and at times the audience projected onto the white wall of the ancient building behind, just above the holy water font on the wall. We waited and waited and 8-8.30 and even 9 came and no concert , just a bit of tuning up by the various members of the band. The drummer was a George Clooney Italian style look a like, ( sigh)  a cute female keyboard player, male sax player in a Hawaii type shirt, a flute player looking like a sixties flower child, a long haired guitarist, and a groovy lead guitar with a little hat on.
Well the concert finally started with a L.  o.  n.  G.  Speech made by a good looking local followed by an even longer one by his off sider.  Finally it started at 9.50 and every one seemed happy  -except by now we were tired. Seats became scarce and someone wanted the dogs seat. So the owner lifted it on toher lap. Every one got up - moved  along and let a little old lady into sit down. They are so kind to their older people .
After several songs of a very Italian nature we decided the show for us was over! We walked back
through the streets still alive with those enjoying the wonderful weather along the river Arno.

What a night. 

Lovely Lucca to Fabulous Florence

After our great day with Sue and P-L in Torre del Lago and Via Reggio we had a final dinner at a courtyard restaurant where we ran into Frances and Jeanie from our Italian school. We returned home and packed and were ready to farewell Lucca by 9 the next morning. We successfully called a taxi to the bus and and hour and ten mins later were in Firenze. Our walk to the hotel was a little longer than planned. Yes we took a wrong turn! But it is a short 5 min walk in a quiet street .  Wouldn't you know it the San Lorenzo markets are at the end of our street! We  went to lunch at a lovely little trattoria while our room was being cleaned.
The hotel - aptly named City Hotel is really good. Not too expensive , good location and rooms are clean and big enough for two. Breakfast proved to be a winner as well.
After lunch and unpacking we headed out in the heat for the Duomo.
We visited the Bapistry first and then noticed the Duomo was closed . Disappointed we wandered the nearby street until nearly 5 when the advertised Mass was about to start. Remembering  a similar thing in Prague, I suggested to Catherine we approach the guard at the side door and ask to attend the Mass. Sure enough he let us in while the other tourists stood behind the ropes wondering who we were and why we got in! Mass was peaceful and cool and lovely. As it turned out it was the weekly English Mass.
After Mass we had our usual Prosecco and people watching session before going into a nearby little tiny church where we had seen a sign advertising an organ concert. It was wonderful sitting listening to gorgeous music.
We walked home finding a very old little family owned restaurant and had a delicious meal. Ran into Anette Allen's husband Mark. Small world.

Last days in Lucca

The last few days have been busy and lots of fun. On Thursday after class , I had my hair cut. Under our building I had noticed a hairdressing salon. It looked good - and I was quite amused to hear music coming out of the salon during siesta. Beatles music sung by a man on guitar. "what would you do if I sang out of tune!" well Catherine and I nearly called out " we'd shut the window! Anyway on my way to class we stopped in and I made an appointment.
So after class I returned and we started.
Lovely Guissepi , told me in Italian that he worked on his own as he loved hairdressing and wasn't ready to retire. I asked him about the singing and he admitted that he loved the Beatles! He said he was born in 1952 and grew  up with their music! I told him I was a big fan as well. So we  chatted in Italian ( and sometimes English when I  forgot a word) . He complimented my hairdresser in Brisbane and said I had a very good stylist! So I'll have to tell Nea! After finishing the hair we rushed to the wall of the city where we met the other members of our class to get the bus to Villa Mainochi. My teacher Stefano took us and was"tour guide" . He's very nice but doesn't know when to stop talking! The "fatorria" was situated about half an hour out of Lucca . It was really beautiful and we toured the vineyard and the gardens. Italian gardens are so different to gardens in England and France. They are for produce more than just to admire! After the tour we went into the cellar and tasted the olives, oil, cheese meats and of course lots of different wines. What a great  afternoon. All the class became much better friends after this! We had some wonderful Irish dancing by Finnoula and Fances!

The next day after class ( our last day) we again had to rush off as we were being
picked up by Sue ( a friend of Catherines from Sydney Italian class) and her Italian partner Pierre Luigi. They took us to Torre del Lago where we had a lovely lunch and then visited Puccini's house. Sue has written a book on him so has a wealth of knowledge about him. Music was playing as we toured the house and therewas a very good collection memorabilia.
After that we went along to ViaReggio - a sprawling beach resort with some wonderful " Liberty " style buildings.

Sisters in Italy!

Since Catherine arrived I've been so busy!
We had a lovely Saturday . Settling in , farewelling Pat and our first lovely dinner . It rained when Catherine arrived and has done so ever since- so very different to last weeks heat.
Sunday morning we took it slowly and went to St Michel church for Mass. There were lots of locals there so it's always a good experience. Then we did the Sunday  passeggiata A little shopping and a walk along the wall. Sunday night we had a lovely dinner at Cantine Bernadini.

Then Monday our school. I get so nervous! Had our test to determine our level. Well I know Catherine is better than me but I seem to be in the level just one down. My class is made up of  all Europeans who all sound like they know what they are doing because of their accents. I can hardly understand them in English! Their English is not that good! So we have to speak Italian even in the breaks. So tiring for me.
In the class there is: Simone a nice girl from Switzerland : Gerhard an older gentleman from Austria : Signey from Norway ( my age) Silke from Berlin also around my age: Clara from Austria -young and asks lots of questions , which is good: Dee from USA but very quiet: and Hans Peter from Germany. So very mixed. I thought I was the worst but yesterday I realised I was one of the better ones!

After class Monday we returned home for lunch , a siesta and a walk along the wall before another rain storm hit.
We had dinner at Pasquale and arrived early as our evening passegiata was cut short. Well Pasquale was charming and poured us a complimentary Prosecco! Then he was a wonderful help explaining
and advising us. We had the best meal. Delicious . We ended with another complimentary drink . This time limoncino which I decided I need to sip every night as it helps me sleep! Yes, it really does.

Tuesday back to class. Stefano my teacher is quite dashing and can be funny but isnt the best teacher. Barely explains anything then says va bene! And says Si or non? Well the class have begun to answer non, which throws him a bit as he thinks we must be able to 'get it'.
After class today we met Catherine's friend Sue( she lives in Pisa with Pierre Luigi) and Sue's son who is visiting from NZ. We had a nice lunch at a local trattoria and came back to our lovely apartment for cafe e dolci. After they left we had siesta then went back to school for the Volare singing evening. Only problem! Got the time wrong and we missed it. So we walked some of the quiet streets of Lucca before dinner at a lovely place in Piazza San Francesco. Ran into Gerhart from class and then ended up chatting to the English couple at the next table. Mostly because they kept interrupting us! He was a dead ringer for Bill Nighy the actor but was boring really.

Anyway dinner was delicious -stuffed squid and stuffed zucchini flowers with string beans as a side. Really delicious. Sounds like we eat a lot but not really. We don't eat anything between meals and our serves aren't big.

It was Rob's 29th birthday today. Can't believe my baby is now that old. Peter was 31 two weeks ago. Happy birthday to my two lovely boys.
Homework before bed!