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



200. Saverio , Pina and Venturina

Well it's been nearly a year since we've seen our good friends Saverio and Pina. Saverio is enjoying his retirement down in Sassetta and he's extended his vegetable garden and olive grove. we meet up at the local bar for no less than 3 prosecos!




As usual Pina has knocked up a wicked fish lunch that put last night's restaurant meal in the shade and we enjoy a relaxing afternoon catching up on the year's news.



There is an agricultural trade fair on at Venturina, finishing with fireworks at 10 pm. Saverio is president of the event.



We pop back to our agriturismo and have one last dip in the pool before finally checking out and departing at 8 pm. It's a short drive into Venturina and we check out this huge fair with trades people from all over Italy. Of course we bump into Saverio and Pina and enjoy the firework finale.


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