Friday, May 31, 2013

Siena

Friday

Everybody talks about Sienna - we shall see - time to experience  a jewel of Tuscany - Margaret tired - the Saliba' rest





Through Chiusure -  through Asciano -  - through Arbia to Sienna .

Brian masters the complexities of Tuscan township parking strategies - by passes  the designated tourist parks - ventures into residential area - finds  a park close to Centro - through the Supermercardo - up to San Francisco.
























The crowds today?  - Significant but not overpowering this is hardly peak tourist season - cringe when I imagine the magnitude of the tourist hordes  in  peak season.









If a Tuscan village is Beechworth on steroids their Sienna is a Tuscan town on steroids - magnificent shops - magnificent - magnificent - church - cathedral - history - tradition - special - special - love it  - love it - nothing more to say.













Towards home - a diversion to San D' Monte Oliveto Maggiore - Benedictine monastery - some token recognition of the female gender - a statue of St. Caterina of Seina and a painting of St Margaret - murals depicting the life a St Bernard enclose a huge internal square - up to the library - basic - uninspiring - down to the refectory - now this is interesting - we wave to the monk setting the tables for the evening meal.






















A tough walk uphill to the car- a quite trip home.

Ah - this is the life - we return to the restaurant at the Castle in San Giovanni D' Asso - Michelin - Michelin - greeted like a long lost friend by  Luisa - the food superb - the wine? - chosen by Luisa - superb! -Luisa - a young Italian - an enthusiast - a delightful individual.





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