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



201. Radda in the glass

Well this was a pleasant surprise! A kind of 'post script' to may's wine festivals. We take a leisurely drive through Chianti to the beautiful Radda. Unfortunately the local mayor's husband has died and proceedings are delayed somewhat while the funeral procession takes place.






However a few glasses of wine cheer the mood up as we sit and soak up the atmosphere and breathtaking views. We even bump into some very friendly Canadian holidaymakers. There is some very nice wine on offer and in the evening we decide to stay in town for dinner.






We find a cool restaurant out of town called Panzanello. There are twenty screaming teenagers all celebrating at an end of term party... the parents are all in another room! Oh well, I suppose it beats Mcdonalds! The food is pretty tasty as well.

(Original journal entry 11/6/05)
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