We´re pretty used to delayed departures. I mean, we thought we'd be in Poland for about a week and instead ended up staying far longer, and then going back. Same story for Rome, where our stay blew out from four days to over a week. And then we only managed a five o'clock departure.
It's about a three-hour ride from Rome to Florence, taking it easy. So we took it easy, and turned it into a three-day camping safari. An hour out of Rome, still in Lazio, we found ourselves an olive grove. It was easy to get there - after getting off the highway, sourcing some tucker and wine, we just chose the smaller road at the next half-dozen or so intersections.
Setting up the tent was second priority after rolling up, so dinner was late and simple, but accompanied by good wine. With activities in the same order in the morning, breakfast took a while to happen too! Then while Andy faffed around reorganising the bike, then reorganising again, Emily took the sun in amongst the olives, took photos and appeared to study Spanish. Departure was definitely an afternoon thing...
It's about a three-hour ride from Rome to Florence, taking it easy. So we took it easy, and turned it into a three-day camping safari. An hour out of Rome, still in Lazio, we found ourselves an olive grove. It was easy to get there - after getting off the highway, sourcing some tucker and wine, we just chose the smaller road at the next half-dozen or so intersections.
Setting up the tent was second priority after rolling up, so dinner was late and simple, but accompanied by good wine. With activities in the same order in the morning, breakfast took a while to happen too! Then while Andy faffed around reorganising the bike, then reorganising again, Emily took the sun in amongst the olives, took photos and appeared to study Spanish. Departure was definitely an afternoon thing...
On the recommendation of our Roman friends, we headed vaguely in the direction of Radicófani. Thankfully this was a distance of not more than 60km, as we managed to get there only in the late afternoon.
You know, coffee, photos, wine and food restock. Again following the little roads, but this time in consistent drizzle, we were looking to avoid setting up the tent. Having poked around in the morning looking at holiday home villas, finding comfortable lodgings was on our minds. You know, a Tuscan villa to call our own. We found one, albeit at the bottom of a steep, muddy and quite treacherous driveway.
You couldn't access the living room, given the condition of the stairs, but the stable was dry and inviting. While Em filtered drinking water from the horse trough up the hill (don't worry mums, all very sanitary!), I took my leatherman to the brambles to clear a path to the doorway so we could invite our steel horse in too. This is the joint, our Tuscan villa. You'll have to come over next time we're there!
As said, our villa is located just below the mediaeval village of Radicófani. Here's the view from the house - we're sure it will be charming in spring and summer, but it was very atmospheric in the late autumn.
Despite the drizzly, humid night, we slept well and happy after another wholesome, simple dinner. After we checked out the castle in the morning, we continued in the direction of Florence. On the minor roads all the time, as is our style, curve after curve. We stopped at Buonconvento for lunch, then Siena for coffee. Then we slipped over a little pass into the Val di Chianti. Wine lovers will have heard of this place.
Tonight we splashed out on good wine. Chianti classico, can't remember which winery. Great wine, but we didn't drink it this evening. Try as we might, and despite the encouragement of the rain, we couldn't find a spot to quite match the olive groves or the villa. We did feel at home behind the little church with the Etruscan statues though.
Free as birds, but rather grubby, we again took our time to get to Florence.
Despite the drizzly, humid night, we slept well and happy after another wholesome, simple dinner. After we checked out the castle in the morning, we continued in the direction of Florence. On the minor roads all the time, as is our style, curve after curve. We stopped at Buonconvento for lunch, then Siena for coffee. Then we slipped over a little pass into the Val di Chianti. Wine lovers will have heard of this place.Tonight we splashed out on good wine. Chianti classico, can't remember which winery. Great wine, but we didn't drink it this evening. Try as we might, and despite the encouragement of the rain, we couldn't find a spot to quite match the olive groves or the villa. We did feel at home behind the little church with the Etruscan statues though.
Free as birds, but rather grubby, we again took our time to get to Florence.
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