Under the Tuscan sun

Who would have thought we'd be hungry for breakfast this morning after the feast Lilla put on for us last night? But we both woke hungry and looking forward to our first day out and about in Tuscany. Last night was our first dinner at La Maesta and Lilla's food was every bit as good as we remembered. We started with Pesto Lasagne, Turkey with beautiful green beans and creamy mashed potato for main and panna cotta with a warm raspberry sauce for dessert. Of course the wine was flowing and Stefano managed to talk us in to a grappa (Italian rocket fuel) the first night this time, not the last!

A ladybird popped in for dinner

After a lovely breakfast this morning we all headed off to Lucignano to explore. Last time we were here there was only one other couple. This time there are 10 of us here at once, making for a lot of laughs and fun. It turns out we're all Victorian's too - small world! We couldn't all fit in Rosalinda's van, so we had to split between the van and the car with Stefano, or as Shannon and I call it "the pope mobile", because of its huge glass windows. Lucignano was a lovely little hilltop town, largely untouched by tourists (not as much as Florence that's for sure!) We wandered through the local market that was running and I got talked in to buying a dress...okay she didn't have to twist my arm too hard! Jury's still out whether I got myself a bargain or not - it was only 8 euros but I'm too scared to try it on in fear it will be too small and the money wasted!

Fresh produce at the market

Stefano and Rosalinda

Gato

Enjoying a beautiful lunch

We bought a fresh apple from the market and they were so juicy straight from the tree! More wondering of the pretty streets followed, then we found a restaurant to have lunch. The food there did not disappoint either. Gnocchi with a simple sauce, bruschetta, spinach and ricotta dumplings - delicious! The afternoon and evening was spent relaxing at La Maeste, enjoying the sun, the pool and a lovely throw together dinner with our fellow guests of cold meats, breads, cheese and salad.

Tomorrow - Perugia.