We’ve had a lovely lady from USA (she was born in England, though) for the past three weeks. She’s been here trying out the recipes of Fattoria Santa Vittoria and writing them down since Marta has dreamt of a cooking book for sale and gifts. The other day they were making hand-made pasta with Marta’s husband Mauro and we got to take part on that. This week we also saw a hummingbird the size of a little finger. Needless to say, we we’re excited. We also saw a wasp, which was bigger than the hummingbird we saw but we weren’t quite as excited to see that.

On Tuesday evening after work we went to the winery to say hello to our friend and from there we continued to Foiano to grab gelato and birra. When we came home Noora’s back started acting up and the following morning it was even worse, so she ended up spending the day as an artist – making labels for the strawberry jam made earlier. On Thursday we had a wine tour for a group of cyclists in the winery. We helped to prepare the food while Mauro guided the group around. After work we borrowed the Panda for the first time. The infamous Fiat Panda is a messy little car with no backseats and a broken speed meter. You could lock it, but it wouldn’t help since the trunk is always open. Nevertheless we made it safely to the Valdichiana Outlet Village and on our way back home we actually passed a Jaguar. Needless to say – the Jaguar was not moving. On Friday evening we went to Castiglione Del Lago, where we had the strongest Mojitos we’ve ever had and watched the city lights in the dark. After drinks we continued our journey to a nightclub Ciao Ciao and we went to sleep at around two o’clock. 

On Saturday we had to say goodbye to our lovely cooking lady and her wonderful family but in the afternoon we had some other guests coming. Doing the registration we learnt that Netherlands in Italian is Paesi Bassi – logical, right? At eight pm the same evening we had the first dinner this season and our guests were so impressed that they wanted to have dinners every single night during their stay. On Sunday we sunbathed for the very first time during our stay in Italy. We’ve already been here for four weeks, but better late than never. We made some stuffed paprika for lunch and borrowed the Panda again. We headed to Monte San Savino and surprisingly (not) we got lost. After a quarter of driving a narrow and curvy mountain path we turned around and after some time we found our way. We had some gelato di Carlo and enjoyed the rose garden before leaving to Castiglion Fiorentino. The way there went much more smoothly, we didn’t get lost and we even found a parking spot (which we later on noticed would have been one you have to pay for). We climbed up the streets in 45 degrees angle to the historical centre where there was Festa Medievale BiancoAzzurra. Unfortunately we didn’t found any actual event there because of the local election day – just the medieval market and some food & drinks. Siru found a pair of beautiful earrings from a really nice college student, who had made them herself. We had a pizza in a nice restaurant and drove back home – without getting lost.

Ciao ciao – until next week!

On Monday morning we had to wave goodbye to Venice. We took a train from Venezia Mestre to Venezia S. Lucia and from there a straight line to Arezzo. On Wednesday we had our friend take us to Castiglion Fiorentino to a pub. The night was dark but every now and then the lightning lit the sky. We only had a little cash with us but as our surprise we didn’t have to pay at all for the whole evening.

On Friday we went to Serremaggio – an annual event in Serre di Rapolano. We first went to Cena Povera; a thematic dinner in an old cellar. We had some soup, pork and rooster and broccoli & nut – pie. They were all served in clay plates and eaten whether with a wooden spoon or a fork. As a dessert we had grappa seasoned with cinnamon and honey alongside with biscotti with raisin and seeds. The atmosphere was really nice and as our pleasant surprise we could take the plates with us. After dinner we went to the tiny centre of the village to enjoy the live music and beverages. We were introduced to Zedda Piras – an alcoholic drink from Sardinia, which tastes strongly of berries. Another remarkable finding: in Italian culture it is outrageous for a woman to pay for anything and it is the gentlemen who pay – always. The night in Serremaggio was really great – we had been planning on going there for a long time, the music was good, we got to dance and above all the company was the best of the best.

On Saturday we slept late – we had asked for a morning off and we enjoyed every minute of it. We cooked asparagus – yet again – and watched Desperate Housewives. After work we made simple, yet ever so tasty, basic Finnish food: brown sauce with minced meat and mashed potatoes – the first day for three whole weeks when not eating pasta with tomato sauce. Our friendly neighbor also provided us with some really tasty vegetable soufflés when we met him on our way home and we ate them with gratitude.

Sunday morning we did our other half of the day from Saturday and in the afternoon we went to Monte San Savino for Gelato di Carlo. The ice cream was tasty and we enjoyed the old town’s view from a rose garden. Afterwards we headed to Lucignano where there was a flower festival going on, but then decided not to get in the old town this time. Instead we visited shortly a little village nearby and finally came back home.

Until next week!