Thursday, November 15, 2012

I got up and was out the door, camera in hand, at 7:00 to take in some of the wonderful morning sun.  It was well worth it.  The last few days have had wonderful early morning light and after yesterday’s drive to Siena I knew where I was headed. To the west of us, just beyond the town of Pienza, the countryside is a jumbled mix of uncultivated wood plots, vineyards losing their yellow and red leaves, freshly plowed ground, and newly germinated winter wheat fields.  I was not disappointed with what I found and met a pro photographer from Milan and chatted a bit with him.  I was ‘home’ by 9:30 and ready for a cappuccino!.

Laura and I decided to take a walk on the dirt roads around the base of the town of Montepulciano.   This took us through a number of vineyards and some olive groves which were busy with harvesting.  We walked past a gentleman picking olives by hand in a tree and about 15 minutes later he and his wife were in their car and pulled up next to us on the narrow two track road.  He explained in his broken English, still much better than my Italian, that we needed a photo of his house??Sure why not?  Never ones to pass up the unknown we followed them back home.  They invited us in and explained the history of the place and the lovely antique furniture.  Then came the sales pitch.  They also had a B&B right next to the house which they ran. We toured the house and complemented them on how nicely it was done and the great views from right below town.  If you want an authentic Italian home to stay in we can point you to it.

Have fun viewing.  Click to enlarge.

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Laura pretty much summed up the landscape as looking like “giant frozen green ocean swells”

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The fields are still draining the last of the rain from 5 days ago. You really needed to watch your step. Especially without boots.

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The gate to this place was locked and the road was pretty overgrown. I could hang out here for a long time.

The little chapel, sandwiched by trees,  way in the background is a well photographed landmark in the area. If you look through enough photo books of Tuscany you will surely see it.

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Just a splash of color.

Authentic Italian!! I really did like the place and the couple were so nice.

Now this is a fire place!!!

I didn’t have the heart to ask if this might be for sale but I sure do like it.

I don’t think I will ever again pour out some olive oil without thinking of the effort I have seen that goes into picking them.

This is the new way to make it quicker and simpler. These are battery run vibrating fingers which vigorously shake the branches to knock the olives off and into the netting below.

Somebody always has to be different. Thanks!  Maybe this is how blended wines come about.

New moon sunset, shot out the window! Talk about being in the the right place at the right time!!!