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



151. Parco di Rimigliano

Our last week in Italy before leaving for a 4 week stint working in the UK is madness! Split between lazing by the outdoor pool in Greve and rushing about buying last minute presents and clothes shopping in the sales. We have time to pop open Annette's award wining Brunello wine – La Poderina's 1997 Poggio Banale! Which is rather spectacular...

On our last full day, a wednesday, we head to the coast for our last day at the beach, for a while anyway! Today's choice is the beach at Rimigliano, which is set amongst beautiful pine woods between San Vicenzo and Baratti.

We make the most of the sun, sand and sea and even have time to pop into San Vincenzo for a slap up fish supper.

Last work day tomorrow and then we're off to Blighty!
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