Yesterday we packed up and yes dear readers,  for some it was difficult because of the extra few things purchased at the very good Barolino markets.
We drove the A1 to padova and then on to Rusticolucia about half and hour south. It was a beautiful afternoon , sun shining and the countryside looking green  due to the recent rain. When we got to the house Chris and Jill had just arrived and were having a tour with the delightful Camilla. She is the daughter of the owners and has very good English. Her parents from Verona arrived a short time later and were just the most gorgeous couple. They had wine and a beautiful marmelatta tart waiting for us.

We went up to the nearby village- yes all up hill , for lunch and a little while later  Lindy and Geoff arrived at the nearby station Monselice. So we had all made it to Rusticolucia without mishap.

After sorting rooms- there are 5 bedrooms -so we all got our own rooms in various colours , we set off for the supermarket. What a hoot. All 7 of us wandering around selecting the food for the night and the wine to be drunk!
We decided to cook one of the recipes I had done on the cooking class in Lucca. Porcini mushrooms with prawns over fettuccine !
Geoff and Chris organised the drinks using the ice ( so hard to find) to chill it down. After a lovely welcome drink on the terrace outside our holiday together had officially begun. Only thing missing was Steve!

We discussed the next few days and sorted out where we wanted to go and tomorrow it will be to nearby Padua.
Sadly my school friends Narelle and Anne ( queen of logic – sorry Ann Graham but Anne V topped the state in logic) will be leaving us on Wednesday. It’s been wonderful having them here and renewing our 45+ years of friendship. Yesterday they gave me a beautiful scarf with hand stitching- I had admired it and they wanted to thank me , so bought it as a present. It’s gorgeous. 

We managed to find the bus stop and returned to Bardolino in time for an aperitif .  This was followed by dinner and lots of chatting. We love having this time together and every night thank God for allowing us this time together. ( not to mention our husbands)

So many funny stories from today
The wedding in the chapel at the Cathedral ( what mother of the bride would wear homi peds at her daughters wedding – in Italy the home of the shoe) Tacky.
However in the Chapel we listened to the singer getting ready. It was beautiful. The priest came over to us ( we were by now sitting in the 15 th century choir stalls) and spoke to us about the history of the chapel .

The bus driver : stopping  at a stop : a young mother with a baby wanting to get on. Driver tells her to put the stroller under the bus! She looks puzzled: he  smiles and suggests she fold it up with the baby inside: then he hops down : holds  the baby while she folds the stroller. This was hard for her : so another young man hops off and helps her . All the while the driver is cuddling the baby. He cooes and smiles and the people on the bus all smile and clap: end of story!

Arriving back in Bardolino we went back to the same bar by the water front for a drink and the waiter remembered us and our order. This is why I love Italy!

Narelle bought a great leather coat from Pasquale! He was the true Italian charmer. She couldn’t make up her mind. The coat was gorgeous but it was expensive. He was doing his best and then didn’t like it when I suggested she think about it and come back! He used all his charm and she finally agreed on a price and the deal was done! Check out the photo on Facebook!

Bought some lovely red loafers at the markets. Anne and I are having a scarf competition! Andwe all bought some colourful Italian china.

Lovely dinner at a little family run trattoria . Though we think they are over the summer and ready for a break! Not quite as friendly as they could be! Food however was delicious.

A wander along the water front, a little dance in the piazza near our apartment and bed.

We arrived in Bevagna in the siesta hours and it was so quiet!

We walked and visited churches. They are very different here . We thought it seemed a very religious place and even found a beautiful B&B in an old cloistered monastery . We later heard there were 18 churches and 3 monasteries ! Very religious indeed.

We decided to visit the Palazzo Cort deli Angeli in the main part of town and had a personal tour. It is now a hotel in one Palazzo and the owners still live int eh second Palazzo. They are joined by a garden with gorgeous roses. We were taken though the houses and into the restaurant by a charming young woman and told about the history of the place. For 3euro we felt very special.

W returned to Spello and had a great dinner at La Cantina. I had grilled chicken and it was yum! It was interesting watching the locals and the tourists all in their various sized parties enjoying a night out.

The next day we went to Assisi. I’d been before in 2001 but it stormed that day and we saw very little . This time we saw “everything” . All the churches. We walked the tail of St Francis and St Clare. We had a lovely day and were so tired when we got home! We revisited our favourite little restaurant “drinking wine” . The host knows us now and we see him each morning as well. That’s what is nice about being in a small village . They get to know you!

The next morning we visited our usual coffee shop and the lady there greeted us like old friends. She is such a glamourous lady. Always dressed beautifully, aged around 40 long dark hair, usually a little ( or a lot ) of cleavage on show, always friendly even when chatting into her mobile phone which she does regularly – and she remembers our order and has started making us extra hot( for Italy) lattes.
Anne wasn’t feeling well so decided to stay at home so Narelle and I headed off to Spoleto after sending a box thought the post . Just a few things I’ve  finished with!

Drove half and hour south and arrived in Spoleto. Another hill town! Beautiful Duomo and quiet streets. Went up to the fort on the hill and explored the place. Most exciting was the “incidentee” We saw a police car and heard some shouting. 2 young men and a pretty girl where all talking at once and an older man was shouting. From what I could pick up