OCT 17-23

Sunday I took the day off as tour guide and Rich and Vicki2 and Vicki went to Arezzo for the International Gastronmic market. I guess I missed it as there was reportedly lots of food. Whole hogs on the spit, bread loaves as big as beds, licorice in huge junks and more.

I did not miss the half Rich drove around looking for a parking place.

Sunday night we had a going away dinner for Rich and Vicki2 and gave her yet another bottle of olive oil from Slovenia to fit into her bag.

Monday we waved good by to Rich and Vicki2 as they headed for Florence. As they drove away the clouds parted and the sun finally came out. We went to Montepulciano, a place I have tried to go for years as it is on a lot of wine bottles I drink. It is a beautiful city with lots of great vistas but a little too touristy for me.

Monday night we had happy hour with John and Sandy White who were staying in the other apartment. They are freshly retired and on the first post-retirement trip and loving it. They are great people and we are glad we got to spend some time with them. (Even if a United agent thought he was “despicable” for riding in first class while his wife rode in coach; I do not see what the problem was. In the end they both wound up in the fat boy seats)

Since they left we have just been wandering the countryside and helping Manuela and Spotty harvest the olives.

ps: I went early this morning to take some sunrise photos and found the problem with the camera. It has moisture on the inner-lenses causing the poor focus on zoom shots.

International Food Market Arezzo

Rich calls a foul. This stand was outside the shopping area and therefore disqualified from shopping. As you see, Vicki2 is ignoring the fool...I mean the foul

Leaving on a jet Punto

every town has a market in the streets once a week. in small towns it is a visiting social event as much as it is about shopping. little groups form and change members all morning

a final meal with Rich and Vicki2 and yet another birthday cake. that many cakes she must be turning really old!

happy hour with John and Sandra. all those hands moving they must be italian.

i will not complain about the price of good olive oil again. not hard physical work, but it takes a lot of time to get a liter of oil off a tree

harvesting olives is hard work. just ask spotty.

we visited Cortona, made famous by the movie "under the tuscan sun". it is a nice little village with mostly tourists, but not over- run this time of a year.

this view is pretty as a painting. i know this becuase the artist was painting it

when daniel and manuela bought villa ceppeto 16 years ago the apartments were an old barn. in the barn was a mother and four kittens. mom and one kitten are long gone, but the other three are still here. this is king lion. he will roll on his back for you and hang out, but don't even think of touching him.