Italy - beautiful one day, perfect the next

Again the theme has been eating, drinking and discovering more of the beauty of Umbria. Friday saw Marg take the Leman's (with Michele and Phil) back to Deruta to collect their hand-painted house number, then heading south to visit yet more lovely towns, Todi and Spoleto. Our resident chef Phil Hunter (we wish) cooked a beautiful veal dinner, accompanied by significant amounts of local wine.

While Phil & Michele took off for a day in Siena and Montepulciano, we checked out the Saturday morning Assisi market. Jan picked up a T shirt, a bargain at 5 euro (less than $10). We also purchased plaited garlics, peaches, herbs to grow, a colourful chili plant and delicious porchetta (herbed and roasted pork) for lunch.

Megan & Jeff arrived from Rome by train without their luggage (lost in transit), and we enjoyed a late dinner as the chef did not return home until 8.45pm. With a household now of 8, Marg and I were relegated to the couches which turned out to be very comfortable.

People people everywhere! The ladies intended to go to the Basilica early for a Sunday morning service, which meant that by 7am the place was buzzing like Paddy's market. Laughter, clatter - no point trying to sleep especially when one is on the couch. They eventually left closer to 9!

We lunched at home complete with a 3 litre bottle of red that the Hunter's had bought for us in the wine-specialist town of Montepulciano (note Phil holding bottle!), and all went into Assisi in the afternoon to watch a colourful medieval procession and pageant complete with loud drummers, talented flag throwers, beautiful costumes and amazing cross bow competitions. (Lots of men in tights!!!) It was the culmination of a week of celebrations honouring Saint Rufino.

We finished the day with another simple but delectable meal at Mr Grumpy's restaurant where Fay flirted with an Italian gentleman (well, actually it was his dog she was interested in, but he enjoyed her attentions).

Megan, Jeff, Michelle and Phil left early to head for Orvietto leaving us with the sad task of putting Karl & Fay on the train back to Rome. En route we visited the Rocca Maggiore in Assisi, the ancient fort that sits above the city, and Karl and Marg trudged up the many stairs to enjoy an incredible view from the top of the towers.

There was great relief when the Shield's lost luggage finally arrived that evening. Marg's limited Italian was stetched to the limit during a number of calls through the day from the airline and courier establishing where the house was located! The hot day ended with another spectacular thunderstorm providing much needed rain. A bright double rainbow reminded us that God's in the business of beauty.

The Hunters leave and the Petros arrive - much like a revolving door actually. The 6 of us piled into the car to introduce Richard and Tricia to Assisi (Rick volunteered to sit in the boot) late afternoon and finished off the evening with pre dinner drinks in the Piazza del Commune in the centre of town, followed by an outdoor dinner in a courtyard covered in vines complete with fountain. (Have we mentioned we love Assisi??). We've sent the guests off to Gubbio today armed with maps and instructions, while Marg works on her TAFE teaching unit and Jan relaxes. It's another sunny day in paradise!