Return to Chiarentana & A Relaxing Afternoon

"We had never before been to Italy in May, and it is truly the most wonderful month.

The countryside is a riot of color and scent.  Every road, even the busy Autostrada,
is lined with brilliant red poppies, making the most mundane street look picturesque.  

The olive trees dotting the hills are covered with silvery green and the pale cream of new buds,

while the grass is tall and soft, every patch threaded with wild flowers."

Louise Badger, "Todo in Tuscany:  The Dog at the Villa"

So ... after wishing Mary a very fond farewell at 6:30 am, Paula and I showered, had breakfast at Nabucco and headed to Florence's Santa Maria Novella station to catch a 9:30 am train back to Florence.  Sure, we COULD have stayed in Florence all day and explored even more of her incredible sights, but we missed Mary ... and Chiarentana ... and decided getting back to Tuscany early in the day ... and spending an afternoon relaxing by the swimming pool, catching up on emails, journals and this blog ... sounded VERY inviting!  

Anna and Marguerita met us at the Chiusi train station and whisked us back to Sassaia. Ahhhhhhh. so wonderful to be back in this beautiful, peaceful place.  Paula made a pretty plate of pecorino, bread and salami, and took it, along with a bottle of prosecco, down to the pool. We  spent the entire afternoon totally relaxing.  When we planned this trip, we promised ourselves we'd spend SOME time each day doing nothing  ... but there's so much to do and see that it's sometimes quite easy to forget that promise.  Today was perfect ... great to be back in Tuscany and great to be doing absolutely nothing there!

Dinner at La Foce's Dopolavoro with Week Two friends!

Giorgio, Marguerita and Anna joined us for a delicious dinner at Dopolavoro, the cozy little restaurant on the La Foce estate.  Wonderful to have that time with those good people in such a delightful spot.  I had the "roast chicken with spicy sauce" which was delish.  One tasty tiramisu in a Mason jar (with 5 spoons) for dessert.  Delightful end to a delightful day ... though we DO miss Mary!!!