- Corfino
- Lucca
- Day out in Siena
Hi everyone…last time we spoke we were rushing out the door of our guest house in Milan, heading for Corfino, Northern Tuscany. We were so glad we had Tom-Tom otherwise we would probably still be stuck in Milan. So many motorways crossing under and over each other, lots of curving exits and roundabouts! Did a few unexpected loops but finally escaped the city. The area around Milan was pretty flat and as we were using a major motorway we didn’t get any sense of the villages or farms in the area. Once we turned off into the mountains – still on a motorway – it became very interesting. Heaps of tunnels and bridges and because we were so high up lots of lovely views. Felt sorry for the little villages we could see dotted along the mountain ridges. Must have been disappointing to have such a busy road built nearby – noise and loss of scenic view. But we were grateful to cut some time off of our travels and enjoyed the experience of such amazing feats of engineering. One of the tunnels was 2 kms long and some of the bridges were magnificent – like sweeping works of art. Once we left the motorway, and were on secondary roads and eventually even less, things changed dramatically. The roads were barely wide enough for two cars and at times little more than goat tracks. We were already in some fairly serious mountain country and we were still climbing. It was a rainy, misty day so missed out on the views but it was still amazing. A bit hairy at times, lots of twists and turns and with such a narrow road I felt like I was hanging over the edge of a very big cliff!! Reg barely got out of 2nd gear as our little baby black Fiat made its way up the mountain and over its peak. Corfino is perched on the other side. But all I can say is the drive was worth it. What a place and what views!
Our little apartment is in a building that dates back to 700AD. It is set on the village square that has buildings on three sides and the fourth is open and just drops away into the valley. The views from our balcony are amazing – the best I have ever seen. There are mountains surrounding the valley and the valley itself is gorgeous – green hills with little villages dotted about and one larger town – Castelnuovo – in the distance. There is snow on the mountain peaks which just adds to the whole thing! The village of Corfino is wonderful. There are lots of little alleyways behind us – our apartment entrance is in one of them. They wind their way about, running off each other with the odd little court yard – a mini village square – with more alleys branching off. People drive motorbikes, bicycles or tiny cars and park them where ever they can. We even found one car parked behind an arch wrapped in a plastic bag. No room for a garage. People also use little trucks or utes to transport bigger things into this inner area of the village. They are very cute!
Just in case some of you have been worried that we having to good a time we have had a less pleasant day today! We had very little food and no money – we had to pay for our accommodation with cash – so we headed down to Castelnuovo to the ATM and to do some shopping. We pulled into the first shopping area we came to and found a bank only to be told by the ATM that there was a problem. We spoke to the teller and she sent us with arm waves and pointing to another bank but alas the same problem. We were sent into the village centre to try more banks but after trying two more we gave up and rang our bank in Australia. Apparently all is fine with our cards and they suggested we try again tomorrow. We had a few cents and basically no food and had hardly any food in our tummys! I am not great with hunger and had become grumpy and teary and poor Reg was coping with the whole bank thing and a “sooky” wife! We finally found a little supermarket near the Castelnuovo village square – which by the way was a real find, heaps of atmosphere – and all went well. Cards worked – groceries on credit. Reg has a normal wife again! Still have no cash – hope all goes well tomorrow!Last but not least are the Italian people. Friendly, helpful, wonderful. But our Hope Forest friends already know that, having the Clappis family as neighbours! Everyone in the village speaks to you with a smile. There are lots of elderly people here tottering along the narrow roadsides, carrying home a few groceries – there are a few little corner stores in the village for everyday necessities. They must keep fit into their old age as the roads are steep and they seem to walk everywhere. They love a little chat and we love chatting to them!! Also – I almost forgot – the wine and cheese here are magnificent, let alone the salami, ham and olives. We are home again!!!! The price is also back to reasonable. Tried a very good Sangoivese today and look forward to visiting some wineries – if we can wind our way down from the mountains!
Bye for now
Much love
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Europe, Italy