Volterra

Yesterday, we wandered further afield than we had before and travelled about an hour and a half south to the hilltop town of Volterra, which 2,000 years ago was one of the most important Etruscan cities and today is a major stop for Twilight fans, retracing Edward and Bella's trip to see the Volturi in New Moon.

Volterra is a hilly city, set high (1700 f) above the plains. We got there around lunchtime and had excellent fare at Enteco Del Duca. Alan had boar two ways -- cured like a ham and also tagliatelle with boar ragu. Marianne had an excellent ricotta omelette with funghi and I had pasta with oxtail sauce. After lunch, Marianne settled down with a Herald Tribune for a cup of tea and we went exploring, higher and higher, until we were almost at the top of the hill, at the Acropolis ruins.

There was lots more to explore but time was ticking away so we picked up Marianne and Alan retrieved the car from its spot five floors down into the mountain and we were on our way. We took a different route back through some true Tuscan countryside of rolling hills dotted with Cyprus trees.

Back at the house, Alan had a swim and then we made lamb chops, cauliflower, flageolet, and salad for dinner.

The pool beckons, so I will sign off.