This is silly- rise for breakfast - superb in the continental style - slow - slow - enjoy - the others arrive for breakfast - they too - slow - slow - Bernie consults the Sue Moloney look-a-like hotel receptionist - a driving circuit of the surrounding villages agreed.
The weather? - variable - towards cold - dry save for a rare light sprinkle - for the suitably attired? - great.
1st stop?- an old Abbey - our timing impeccable - the two monks come to chant - the tourists silent - a pin drops - everyone is startled - softly- softly - eyes close - people absorb - contemplate - too soon it is over.
What about that trattoria - is it open - yes- greeted by an Italian extrovert - he? not a word of English - Us? Not a word of Italian - we order- we try oral communication -abject failure! - he produces pen and paper - ah - Australi! - stick figures - labels - all used to explain our Italian heritage - to explain our itinerary .
We finish our meal- he points at us - Dolce? He says - our Italian language expertise interprets this as "Do you want to dance " - no - no - no - we don't want to dance - silly question! - he looks puzzled - he tries again - Dolce? - no we do not want to dance! - he gives up - we resume our wandering - we discuss amongst ourselves Dolce? - we realise - we feel stupid - Dolce vitae the good life - he was asking us if we wanted sweets!.
Onwards - through village after village - ignore Don Tom on a whim - through lanes - turn here - turn there - photograph - photograph
Become preoccupied with the scenery - Is Gary following us? - yes- is Gary following us? - yes - is Gary following us?- No! -where is he? - phone - out of range! - text - no response - start to despair - the phone chirps - Gary - stay there we will come and get you!
The convoy is re - established - stop at on ancient spa town - Shop in another town - head back to San Giovanni D'asso to assume temporary dominion over L' Uluiver.
Through the rickety front door into a musty entrance - this is not looking good - up the stairs - old - authentic - genuine - exudes character - large dining room - pride of place? - a large old oak dining table - large open fireplace - large lounge room - seating for more than the house could possibly - a generous utilitarian kitchen - up some more stairs - three bedrooms - old photographs - old books - more old books - paintings - drawings - sketches - the egress of natural light limited - all combine to give the house a dusty, pleasant, calming, peaceful feel!
Alexandra has already started preparing our local Tuscan dinner - how good is this?
