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| On the bridge pointing at our house in Amboise. |
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| Met up with Geoff and Lindy for a gorgeous lunch in Loches. |
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| The French have these signs hanging up everywhere. I love them. |
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| View from the top of the Keep over the town in Loches. |
Uncategorized
Photos
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| Picnic along the way! driving to France |
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| Last Aperol and Prosecco apertif in Aosta |
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| The boys and Carmel in the cutsie main street of Aosta looking for a restaurant . |
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| Markets and guys just don’t mix! Macon in France |
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| First French red Vespa.Thinking thinking . Is it me! |
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| Carmel, the ex Ursuline convent girl at the Ursuline Museum |
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| Our view from the little house in Amboise. Truly this is the view. |
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| Me sitting in the window looking at the view. |
From Italy to France
Time to leave Italy for a while and sample the delights of France.
Now I know there are two camps – those who love Italy best ( I know who you are) and those who favour France.
What is the difference? Let’s see!
Well we set off from San Gimignano at around 9 and drive Steve style along the coast of Liguria before heading north near Genoa. The drivers were crazy but fine. The Autogrills predictable and serving lots of coffee, panini, pastries and selling crap like pink pigs and old CD’s. We had a little picnic by the side of the road at an Autogrill. We jumped back into the car and continued on to Aosta. A nice ski town with lots of people out to have fun in the piazza on a Saturday night. Picked a trattoria for dinner. Good dinner, friendly people .
Next morning had breakfast in the hotel dining room to the accompaniment of the owner playing the piano accordion. Those Italians, you have to love them. He apologised for his playing due to his arthritis.
Then the drive to France via the Mount Blanc tunnel – an engineering feat – and arrived in Macon (where the Tour de France went through this year). We stopped not at an Autogrill but at a lovely French restaurant by a lake eating smoked salmon and trying not to drink wine.
Arrived in Macon and had a walk around the quiet town. It’s rather nice in a restrained French way with lots of white buildings and lace work verandas . Sat for a drinks and waited 1/2 hour for the waiter to decide to visit our table. In Italy we would have already had 2 drinks and known the waiter by name! We walked across the river to a restaurant and after a really lovely dinner where we all had something with a beautiful sauce we spent the night in a smart hotel where the rooms were very co-ordinated. No kitsch flowers on display.
Now I know there are two camps – those who love Italy best ( I know who you are) and those who favour France.
What is the difference? Let’s see!
Well we set off from San Gimignano at around 9 and drive Steve style along the coast of Liguria before heading north near Genoa. The drivers were crazy but fine. The Autogrills predictable and serving lots of coffee, panini, pastries and selling crap like pink pigs and old CD’s. We had a little picnic by the side of the road at an Autogrill. We jumped back into the car and continued on to Aosta. A nice ski town with lots of people out to have fun in the piazza on a Saturday night. Picked a trattoria for dinner. Good dinner, friendly people .
Next morning had breakfast in the hotel dining room to the accompaniment of the owner playing the piano accordion. Those Italians, you have to love them. He apologised for his playing due to his arthritis.
Then the drive to France via the Mount Blanc tunnel – an engineering feat – and arrived in Macon (where the Tour de France went through this year). We stopped not at an Autogrill but at a lovely French restaurant by a lake eating smoked salmon and trying not to drink wine.
Arrived in Macon and had a walk around the quiet town. It’s rather nice in a restrained French way with lots of white buildings and lace work verandas . Sat for a drinks and waited 1/2 hour for the waiter to decide to visit our table. In Italy we would have already had 2 drinks and known the waiter by name! We walked across the river to a restaurant and after a really lovely dinner where we all had something with a beautiful sauce we spent the night in a smart hotel where the rooms were very co-ordinated. No kitsch flowers on display.
Next day Steve and I left Peter and Carmel – they headed north and we head across to Amboise in the Loire Valley – to “do chateaux not shops’ quote by Steve. I’ll miss them so much (both the Harrisons and the shops!). We had lots of laughs and survived the two days in the car together.
We arrived to meet Chantal the owner of our little house. It’s gorgeous- located on the river looking towards the huge chateau on the hill. We can walk across the bridge or even ride the bikes left for us.
Had a good nights sleep- medication for my cold kicked in and I was able to breath. Only complaint – the beautiful pink cover – doona was too hot! Small concern really but I love a top sheet not just a doona!
Next morning Stefan headed across the bridge to the best patisserie in Amboise and returned with 2 crossiants and 2 choc filled pastries. I had a corner of 1 and he ate the rest . I kid you not. But as he reminded me he’s only here for 2 weeks I’m here for 3 or is it 4 months so I can’t eat like that every day. He will whilst he is here!
Off to meet Geoff and Lindy Shaw for lunch in Loches. What a lovely thing to do.
photos
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| Family shield painted above the fireplace |
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| Our Lady of the Wine. The statue not me! |
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| Carmel and I prepared a beautiful Tuscan stew. Now I am our Lady of the Wine! |
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| Checking the olive tree |
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| Breakfast or dinner on the farm. |
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| Carmel and the model at the vintage shop in Siena |
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| Our house almost disappearing behind the vines. |
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| Last lunch with Jill before they leave |
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| Fantastic dinner at Casa Mais |
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| Still looking for the right colour Vespa! |
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| In Greve in Chianti trying the wines |
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| Drinks on our terrace . Fantastico |
Thursday- Greve in Chianti
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.
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.
Siena
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.
San Gimignano
We love this area. It’s beautiful. The rolling hills, the vineyards, the views of San Gim, the food, wine, the friendly people.
I have started a new chapter here. I miss my friends rom Rusticolucia – Narelle, Anne, Lindy, Geoff, Jill and Chris. We had a great time there.
Now in this lovely house we are starting a great week.
The Wilsons and the Harrisons have discovered they have many connections through their school days and after, and have shared many a story about people they know.
Sunday night we went to a concert in the town theatre and then had dinner in a very good restaurant . The fact it was pouring with rain made choosing one very easy. we had to be able to run to it. But we enjoyed it very much. I had veal with peppers. YUM.
The next day we went to Lucca. My home for two weeks. It felt so good to be returning and showing everyone around. It was a little rainy which was a shame – but we managed to fit in a few sights and a long visit to my favourite shop – Lo Sorelle in the Antiteatro . It has gorgeous tablecloths and other assorted things. Carmel and Jill loved it and between us we bought a few things! Christmas will be great – lots of decorations, etc.
Steve won the shopping! He bought a new briefcase, Shoes, two belts, a toilet bag. Closely followed by Carmel with her tablecloth, woven bag, assorted lovely things. I got shoes, Jill a tablecloth. All in all a great day and lovely lunch at Sergios a little trattoria I had visited at least 3 times when I was in Lucca.
We got back to our house and Barbara has set up the table and then arrived with plate loads of antipasti. six different types – all delicious We washed it down with their own wine and olive oil. This was followed by pasta with a ragu of wild boar. Her gift to us was a cake made by nonna.
We had a wonderful night of stories, jokes, laughs and friendship.
Tomorrow the girls are visiting San Gim and the boys are doing “farm things”. Steve asked Barbara if they could help with the grape picking. I’m not sure she was overly enthusiastic!
I have started a new chapter here. I miss my friends rom Rusticolucia – Narelle, Anne, Lindy, Geoff, Jill and Chris. We had a great time there.
Now in this lovely house we are starting a great week.
The Wilsons and the Harrisons have discovered they have many connections through their school days and after, and have shared many a story about people they know.
Sunday night we went to a concert in the town theatre and then had dinner in a very good restaurant . The fact it was pouring with rain made choosing one very easy. we had to be able to run to it. But we enjoyed it very much. I had veal with peppers. YUM.
The next day we went to Lucca. My home for two weeks. It felt so good to be returning and showing everyone around. It was a little rainy which was a shame – but we managed to fit in a few sights and a long visit to my favourite shop – Lo Sorelle in the Antiteatro . It has gorgeous tablecloths and other assorted things. Carmel and Jill loved it and between us we bought a few things! Christmas will be great – lots of decorations, etc.
Steve won the shopping! He bought a new briefcase, Shoes, two belts, a toilet bag. Closely followed by Carmel with her tablecloth, woven bag, assorted lovely things. I got shoes, Jill a tablecloth. All in all a great day and lovely lunch at Sergios a little trattoria I had visited at least 3 times when I was in Lucca.
We got back to our house and Barbara has set up the table and then arrived with plate loads of antipasti. six different types – all delicious We washed it down with their own wine and olive oil. This was followed by pasta with a ragu of wild boar. Her gift to us was a cake made by nonna.
We had a wonderful night of stories, jokes, laughs and friendship.
Tomorrow the girls are visiting San Gim and the boys are doing “farm things”. Steve asked Barbara if they could help with the grape picking. I’m not sure she was overly enthusiastic!
More photos
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| A visit to Bevagna |
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| Which lipstick belongs to which person! |
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| Lunch in Arqua Petraca |
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| A beautiful day in Venice |
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| Oh what a sight. |
Photos at last : the last few weeks
I can now add photos thanks to Steve’s computer:
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| Friend Pat at the cooking class |
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| Pat and I with Paolo and Roberto |
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| Wine tasting with Sigrid and Carla |
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| My Italian class: Gerhardt – Austria: Sigrid – Norway: Sydny – Berlin: Carla – Amsterdam: Clara – Austraia : Hans Peter – Austria |
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| With my favourite sister in Florence |
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| Beautiful Floence |
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| Anne and Narelle at Trevi fountain |
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| Our food tour of Rome. What a day. |
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| Anne in our lovely house in Spello |
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| Afternoon gelati in Bevagna |
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| Anne,Narelle Jill, and Lindy |
Enjoy
frans travel tales 