The Great Big Italian Sleepover!: Sunday: Benvenuto in Italia!

Buon giorno from Podere Ciano in Gaiole in Chianti.
https://podere-ciona.com

I have always disliked the saying "It may not be the end of the world, but you can see it from here". So today, we are rewriting it:
This may not be heaven,
but you can see it, smell it and taste it from here!

It is close to noon on Sunday and our tribe members are gathering on the patio . . . to join in Wes' capitalism vs socialism reading and coffee talk. Who invited him?! Tomorrow's book chat will be brought to us by Nancy's novel, Wild Wallflower. I guarantee a more pleasing discussion for all! (:

Today is all about adjusting to the rythym of Tuscany. (Just writing that makes me grin.) One year ago this felt like a distant dream, then we blinked and were walking through the airport in Toronto, collecting family like hitchhikers along a country road (though Tanya, David and Betty hardly had their thumbs out as they relaxed and sipped drinks in the Air Canada Lounge!).

Our path to Tuscany was strewn, not with rose petals, but with much talk and laughter, and even an impromptu game of airport luggage bocci, won by Wendy (representing NL in fine style), and enjoyed (?) by many travel-weary onlookers.

Our ancestors (and Wes) held fast to the belief that all good things must be earned, so in deference to that "notion", we paid a few dues yesterday in the form of car rental services that run on Italian time, a missed exit that had us movin' on down the road a bit farther than intended and an education in diesel fuel engines that we could have lived without! We'll call that the Adblue blues! And the pay off? A chance to watch golden lights sprinkling the hillsides as the light faded and we drove up a winding mountain road . . . to here!

Time to head out on our first adventure. Of course it includes food . . . and wine. Side note: When Nancy asked Rose last evening if we could drink the water here, Rose replied with, "Hmm, I am not sure. Water?"

So, welcome to the week of our (at least my) dreams.
Many of our motley crew will be guest contributing to the blog over the next several days, so we know you will all enjoy!
Our motto this week?
Relax, savour ... and expect the unexpected around every GD twisty mountain turn!
Pictures to follow once the wine and limoncello from lunch wear off! 😁
Much love and Caio
💙🇮🇹💙