Rainy Days in Tuscany

I did not know that it rains everyday in the mountains of Tuscany. We have a thunderstorm or a rain cloud that will pass over, it will rain very heavy for about a half hour then awe, the some comes out! I guess thats why this region is known for their wine and olives, no need to water any plants here. Yesterday we ventured out late morning. It took us all a while to get going yesterday because the night before we drank 8 bottles of wine between 6 people. I think when I get back I will have to seriously stop drinking for a while.

We went about a half hour south of here to a village called San Gianamorali, it is a midevel town that has been converted into restaurants and shopping. We spent the whole day touring the town and going up into the many towers that still exist. Michael, who is afraid of heights, actually climbed up one and was ready to continue when I chickend out and could not go any further. It had steps that were metal with holes through them, so you could look down and see just how high you were. I can't do see through steps! Michael turned around with me, and I felt bad because usually he is never up to climbing anything higher than a step ladder. He did try to make me feel better by saying he was ready to turn around too.

We ate dinner at a fabulous restaurant and then ventured on home. First I have to say that Italians do not believe in butter or ice. They will give you a huge basket of bread, but no butter. You will get a soda with a glass, but no ice. I am looking forward to having butter and some bread when I get back to the states.

The way home was very interesting. The roads are very very winding, they have no lights, the roads are not marked as to which hwy you are on, and sometimes you will see a little sign that will say the name of a town and an arrow pointing at which direction you should go. So all of a sudden you are making a fast turn on a narrow road. It also takes so long to get from point A to point B because of the narrow, sharp curved road.

This morning it rained (imagine that) so we decided to go to the grocery store. All six of us!!!! When we arrived at the store, they told us they were closing in 15 minutes (because all the stores close between 1:30 and 3:3o) I have no idea why, but they do. So we all grabbed hand baskets and flew around the store looking for butter, bread, etc. It was quite comical watching us all run around the store.

So now we are back at the villa, the sun is out, I saw a rainbow on the way back and took a picture of it. Hopefully you can see it. Soon we will make some dinner and just relax the night away infront of the fire.

Tomorrow Patti and Frank and Gail and Gary are going to venture out to Sienna, but Michael and I are going to stay back and enjoy the villa for a while, and be alone! HMMMMM I wonder what will happen? Ha ha

Chao