We are in a routine - the group rise late save Gary - he visits his aging Italian Nona returning with breads biscuits and croissants - we breakfast late on his bounty- we supplement it with the cheese and delicate meats that were the product of Sam's supermarket gathering - we live like kings.
The weather remains a challenge - the travelers talk over breakfast of the magnificence of the overnight thunder and lightening show - the thunder truly rolls in a way that it never rolls in Australia
The light rain and bracing winds are the only remaining signs of the weather inclemency - The convoy convenes - we head towards Montepulciano - the rain eases to a drizzle - the country side remains impressive.
The tourist population increases the tourist parks occupied - search- seared some more - climb further into the old city- search -climb further - too far- too far- stop - back up- we must hair looked confident- young British couple brave followed us - they try to turn around - a domestic Commences - I intervene - right hand down - back- stop! - left hand down -forward - stop! - domestic averted - right hand down - that are off - we follow them down - there is a car park - our determination is rewarded - park - a short walk to the town centre.
The rain? - Sufficient to annoy - the solution ? - store the umbrellas- a Tuscan lunch - bean and vegetable soup that delights - picchi that sates - wine that satisfies - waiters that entertain.
The rain exhausts - itself - the Sun emerges - we walk the narrow streets - we admire the ornate wall rings - what are they for - restraining of horses? - their purpose unresolved! - Montepulciano? - just like its delightful Tuscan hilltop brothers - walk the street some more - pause - down the narrow alleyway to the closed piazzas designed to command the rolling hills and valleys of the Tuscan country side - we photograph - we photograph some more.
To Pienza - like its Tuscan brothers - new suburbs lie of the feet of the old walled city - tourists encourage to park at the base and walk the pedestrian centric centro - we oblige - into the old square - bordered by medieval church - by municipal centre - be amazed at the bullet pocked walls - what sort of conflict these Tuscan townships endured - their modern day magic dearly belies their conflicted past - perhaps they deserve to enjoy this period of peace.
We must not miss Montisi - a Tuscan town?- probably would reach village status - the streets? - narrow - even narrow by Tuscan standards - restaurants - restaurants - Montisi modern day reason for existence? - to entertain and to feed.
Home - the girls display their skills - Osso Bucco - Strawberry - amaretto - biscuits - cherries - an excess of alcohol - We will have to launch a formal inquiry into what we have done to deserve all of this!
