Some words form Italia…

Well now,

It seems like so long ago since I sat down and took the time to bring you all up to speed on our travels. The discipline of regular updates seems to have slipped on my part. What can I say?! There’s just too much to see, smell, taste, drink, live. However I’ve been presented with a 4hr train ride from Lucca, Toscana to Torino, Piemonte. So what better way to pass the time than watch the Ligurian coast pass by and share with you a few moments of this wonderful journey.

When I last came to you we were in Berlin weren’t we? Well anyway we were in Berlin for a week which was fantastic. From there we took a lift back down to Sabine’s parent’s hometown of Hildesheim. We were able to spend a few days with Heike und Uli as well as get ourselves ready for the Italian leg of the journey. From Hildesheim we headed south the Bavaria. Intending to take a train, we soon discovered it would be cheaper for us to hire a car than both of us travel by rail. We arrived in Wurtzburg to visit our good friend Katarina. (our dining companion at Michel Bras.) Katarina was visiting her parents, and they very kindly showed us around the wine region of Franken. After a lovely dinner at a local restaurant, we headed back to Katarine’s folks place for a nightcap of Pina Coladas! Sweet dreams indeed.

We awoke, bid farewell to our kind hosts and continued south with Katarina to her current hometown of Walgau – 1hr south of Munich and just a stones throw to the Austrian border. Two wonderful days were spent with Katarina and her dutch beau Jeroen(?) up, down and around the German/Austrian alps. Thank you both so much for your hospitality and your delicious wine. We were honoured!

It is from here that we gave up our car and embarked on a mammoth 36hr journey from Innsbruck, Austria to Santa Fiora, Italia. First stop was Bolzano/Bozen in Alto Adige/Sud Tirol region of Italy. We spent the afternoon and evening in this bi-lingual town. From here we took a 1am overnight train to Florence. Then straight onto Sienna. 4hr wait, then a bus to Santa Fiora, Grosseto, Toscana Italia!

As previously mentioned, we were heading to this small town in southern Tuscany to rendezvous with friends and family and attend the wedding of our dear friends Kath & Simone. We were greeted by Simone who took us to our Tuscan Casa Grande. We were joined by Kath’s mum Helen, her man Tony and their “getting bigger every day” little fella Liam. Also there was Kath’s Nona, as well as Kath’s Brothers Matt and Ryano, with Ryano’s lovely lady Carlz. Last to arrive on the Friday was my sis Andrea and her fella Nik. good thing we had a 5 bedroom house!

Our first informal duty was a dinner on the Friday night for all who would be attending the wedding the following day. We were presented with a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with Simone’s parents. Then it was time for the food. Course after course floated out of the kitchen and landed in front of each of us. Just when we thought we couldn’t fit anymore another delicous dish would appear and we would somehow find room. So then, THIS is dining Italian style!! After we could fit no more we all parted ways to get some sleep and prepare for the big wedding tomorrow. A few of us managed to sneak in a nightcap at Santa Fiora’s one and only pub – The Green Feeling.

Saturday morning arrived, which meant the Big Day was here! All of us at the house spent the morning getting ready and playing UNO. Pre-festive photos taken, we ferried ourselves over to the wedding venue – The property of Simone’s good friend Ivan. We were greeted, seated, and then the beautiful bride arrived, accompanied by Matt and Ryano. I could go into so much detail, however I think Kath’s favourite word sums it up perfectly – “AMAZING” What followed was a wonderful day and night filled with yet more eating delicious food and drink, as well as singing, dancing and being merry. A big thank you to everyone who played a part in this special day. And our biggest thanks goes to Kath & Simone for giving us the opportunity to play a part in a day that I know we’ll cherish forever.

More reflections to follow….

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