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



164. Looking for Leonardo

'Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature, because in her inventions nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous.'

Leonardo da Vinci










A nice drive out to the beautiful Tuscan countryside is today's plan and perfect way to chill out on a warm October afternoon. The choice of destination is Vinci, as in Leonardo da Vinci. he was born in these rolling hills and was obviously inspired by the stunning scenery.







The last time we came here was on a freezing cold February afternoon and a return is long overdue. There are a few shops open and I spot a cool leather briefcase in a vintage shop which I buy for a very reasonable price.

The small cobbled street town is perched on a hill and is very quaint. There is a nice museum dedicated to the master and we enjoy a guided tour. Inside there are many wooden models of some of Leonardo's inventions, which are fascinating. I discover a new game called 'dama di bacco' - an alternative version of draughts, where the pieces have been replaced by small glasses which you fill with wine. When you take your opponents piece you have to drink the wine! Sounds like fun...





We return home to florence and are too lazy to cook, so walk round the corner to our now 'local' Spanish restaurant, Habitacion Liquidas for a wicked meal.






                                                      (Original journal entry 2/10/04)
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