UNDER THE UMBRIAN SUN

We must have re-enacted several films rolled into one. Many nationalities, one long table, piles of food, a pool, a superb host and much fun! That sums up Sunday afternoon or was it a year in Provence or stealing beauty?!


The blue whale won the race...


Ben - who looks a lot like Marc Rochat from school - with Clair


Sandra and Clair


Grapes did not feature in all parts of the menu.


And what do you want?!

ROYAL STATUS

On their last day in this weird and wonderful country, Toby and Helen got V.I.P. treatment. Assisi's flag throwers and drummers came out en force; in Perugia a band was playing beside the fountain; we got the last table at Pizzeria Capri without a booking; Juventus won 5 to 1 against Livorno in the first match of the season; and the cherry on the cake: the sun shone all day and the night was warm.

Some time on Sunday they were on their way to Wales whilst we were still asleep!

SHIVER DOWN SPINE

A bit like a wet dog, when it shivers, just before going for the great shake that will spray water everywhere, I am now on my last leg of being an estate agent. With three working days to go before my life returns to what it was just about one full year ago, I am looking ahead, planning and plotting what the next steps will be. The first one will no doubt be the equivalent of a bone handed over by the butcher - a celebratory bottle - then it's all steam towards contracts, meetings, articles and new adventures, with weddings and visitors coming up fast!


Dry cat

IN THE BLANKET OF RAIN, WE LOST OUR VISITORS

In a vain attempt to escape from England's horrendous weather, Toby and Helen made their way to Pisa/Florence (someone needs to tell Ryanair that Pisa and Florence are two very different and separate towns, about one hour apart, and with two individual airports... so landing in Pisa should be classed as a flight to Pisa, not Pisa/Florence, or maybe we could suggest adding Rome to the list?!). Unfortunately they were closely followed by the clouds, and then the rain, and then the thunder. Oups. Yesterday they went south, to Rome where they never had to open their umbrellas, so they then tried not to return by missing the train!

ELBA ISLAND IS BELLISSIMA!!!

and we loved every second - in retrospect, even the camping bit!


Procchio - how can you beat pizza with a view like this?!


Our calletta, next to Fetovaia


View from the carpark at Capoliveri


Capoliveri


Porto Azzurro


Loc Barbarossa