The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



145. Return to Cala Violina

Can you believe that it's only a year ago that we discovered this little corner of paradise. Definitely Tuscany's best kept secret. Even most Florentines have never heard of it! Only the most outgoing locals will admit to its existence in oft hushed tones...

It was only last August that we were being chased off the beach by a wasp invasion. This time we have a perfect 35°C day, not a cloud in the sky and no breeze.



After our long drive from Florence and stop for picnic, we find a car parking space and make the half hour trek through dense Mediterranean scrub. We fall onto the powdery white sand and chill out for the afternoon, total relaxation in paradise...

Afterwards we drive back to San Vincenzo and enjoty a 'Caciucco' fish supper and browse round the late night shops,which open from 9.30pm to midnight! Oh I do like Italian summers and the only question is when can we come back?



(Original journal entry 25/6/04)
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