We decided on a slow start and after breakfast had a wander around the property here.
We saw the chickens, roosters, bees, pigs, veggie gardens, grape vines and olive tress and the herb borders along the paths . We picked some sage and rosemary for tonight’s Tuscan stew we are planning to cook.

Around 11 we headed off to the Chianti region about an hours drive  away , south of Florence. Such a pretty drive with the rolling hills, the endless lines of vines laden with grapes and the silver and green olive tress. Tuscany is gorgeous. We had a discussion as we went about where we would buy if we had a million euros. The past few weeks I have been to Lucca, Rome, Umbria , Vento and now Tuscany. Oh to choose. Any suggestions?

We got to the tiny town of Greve , which is not a hill town but does have a very pretty piazza. We wandered around had lunch and the went to a tasting centre. It was such a great idea. You got a glass and a credit card which you loaded with dollars and then you could move around the huge cellar tasting wine.  They were in round centres with the bottle programmed to tip a taste of wine into your glass and deduct the amount . Better wines were about 2 euros a taste and lesser ones around 1 euro. Such a good idea.

I kindly offered to drive home – silly me. We took a different way and only got a little lost. Carmel sat in the front with me and the boys in the back asleep.

We got home and went for an afternoon walk to check out some properties nearby . We even heard some Aussies in a house nearby but didn’t identify ourselves!

Such a lovely evening sitting under the vines having a drink chatting and preparing our Tuscan soup . We have had a lovely time with Peter and Carmel , but I miss all the friends who have been here over the past few weeks. Hi to you all.

Tomorrow is our last day in San Gim before we head to France . Looking forward to a few days with Steve in the Loire Valley before meeting up with Peter and Carmel again in Paris.

Today we had another lovely breakfast looking towards the towers of San Gimignano. It is so awesome. We are very lucky to have such a beautiful spot.

The house is located at the end of a gravel drive  and is owned by a family named Montignani. Maris, Antonella, Roberto ( handsome son) and daughter Barbara who runs the business.

It is built using the stone and building materials from a house in northern Tuscany. They took 10 years to build the house and it is gorgeous. The visitors live upstairs and the family down – though you don’t see them much at all.

So we drove to Siena and found a great parking spot and went up the longest  escalators to reach the old town.

The weather was fantastic and the town busy but not overcrowded. Carmel and I walked the main street and did a little shopping. We met the boys for lunch at the Campo and imagined the fun it would be to be there during the Palio. After lunch we went walking and found the best shoes. The  lady there was so knowledgeable about shoes and feet. Carmel and I were in awe. She also told us we had patient husbands as they were waiting outside. She went on to tell us Italian men were not great partners.

We explored the back streets , saw the flags of the different communes, lights to match them, washing hanging across the road.
Peter and Carmel bought a beautiful tapestry. It showed The Kiss! It was really lovely and Steve declared that Pete won the shopping.

We returned home and decided to go to the restaurant Barbara suggested. It was 20 mins away but seemed to take for ever driving through the dark country side. We arrived at Casa Mais  outside Montelione and what a night. It was gorgeous. Atmosphere was just so lovely and the food very Tuscan and beautifully presented. I had a pork dish and loved it. It has a B&B on site so people can stay there . Google Borgo San Benedetto Montelione .

Got home tired but happy . Thank you Steve for driving.