Started the morning early with a walk along the country roads around the villa - the countryside surrounding us is planted with wheat and grapes and poppy flowers are everywhere. The photo is of a newly plowed field down the road, the light is amazing. After a farmhouse breakfast of tomatoes and eggs on toast we went into siena to explore.

Siena is a walled gothic city with beautiful marble cathedrals and a huge piazza that they race horses around in September for il Palio. I had my first Italian cappuchino while we worked out which tour of chianti to book (noone wants to be a designated driver). Sienas specialty is panforte, so I tried a few of the chocolate versions and selected one to take home. There are some very nice handbag leather shops and shoes, and lots of kitch touristy stores. Have not been tempted so far......also had my first Italian pizza for lunch, thin base, simple toppings and delicious.

We got connected to the Internet, bought groceries and then got out! Dinner tonight was pork saltimbocca with roasted vegetables and cherries. Loving being able to cook Italian food in Italy. We drank the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine between 4 of us that cost $10.00 total ..., will see how the head is tomorrow!