Hi All
Summer here in Cumbria saw the usual mini-monsoon but for the first time in many many many (you get my drift!) years I was off to sunnier climes … Italy! Tuscany to be precise.
With the skies darkening again and a nip definitely in the air I thought it would be a good moment to remind myself of sunny days spent with No1 Daughter and Peanut.
Thirty-seven hours on a coach are … erm … an interesting way to start a journey but on the upside it is fun to travel through Europe watching the landscapes change. It is certainly rewarding to finally disembark, unfurl and sleep in a bed! I live on the edge.
After a good night’s sleep we chose to walk to the old town of Chianciano. The day’s organised coach trip didn’t quite appeal. Can’t think why!
En route we loved the graffiti and were sure it told a political story, we just weren’t quite sure what it was although we had a good guess.
Chianciano, the first of our visits to a beautiful Italian medieval hill town. Sunbathed views latticed with terracotta rooftops, towers, fountains and quaint narrow streets made our hearts sing.
Next day again eschewing the delights of a coach trip we made our way by bus and train to stunning Seina. It was hot hot hot and steep steep steep. But around almost every corner was a wow moment.
We had a fabulous day. With no coach to meet we enjoyed taking our time, having a simple supper overlooking this most picturesque city, listening to the bells calling the faithful to prayer and returning to our hotel heads filled with amazing sights and sounds.
Of course no outing would be complete without me doing something daft. Today’s gaffe was buying a kilo of ground coffee almost as soon as we arrived which I then had to carry through the heat of the day (mid 30s centigrade is hot by any standards but especially for a Cumbrian) and up up up the labyrinth of steps that are the warp and weft of Siena.
But goodness me it was worth it! Now back home the aroma and taste of this wonderful coffee transports me right back to the super Siena coffee shop with its ranks of different beans and traditional grinding machines. Sigh.
At that point I think it is time for a fresh pot of that delicious brew and to leave the rest of our travels in Tuscany for another day.
Keep well. Until next we meet.
Moke x
It'll Be Reet 
Your Italian venture oozes with optimism which I appreciate to read. Siena now sits on my bucket list for sure.
We had a lovely time and thoroughly enjoyed Seina. The fact it was busy with visitors just added to it’s medieval feel as it felt like it was ever thus. The strangest thing were the eight or nine escalators that take you up from the station level to the beginnings of Seina. I will try and finish off our trip on the blog this weekend. I am glad you enjoyed reading about it. Moke
I find such tourist challenges as you described here quite inviting from an Italian perspective.