Monday, June 9, 2014

A change in plans

I The sun came up brilliantly on our last day at lake Garda and three hikers took off on a level 99 high ending up somewhere close to one of the lower realms of heaven. 
I and three others headed out to rent bikes to toddle along the shoreline and then inland upriver to the next town.  I rented a mountain bike with more gears than the free tourist info bikes but was somewhat limited by the hard seat and no gel pants to cushion me. But the day was lovely and the path idyllic and I cannot believe no pictures!!!!  

We returned for lunch when my phone rang.  We needed to check out a day early, a mess up by the owner.  As a result we are right on the water for the night.  Perfect.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Famous in a foreign land

While wandering Bologna's central market zone, we were approached by a very attractive Italian woman and a camera man.  

"Garble blah blah blah" in Italian.  
We shake our heads.  No speak Italian .

She switched to English.  "What do you think of this thing kamut?  What is it?"
More questions followed before I figured out I was supposed to play along in a guessing game.   

Dessert I said.   What kind?  Panne.  And latte.  Like bread pudding.    

Dodie said it was a small animal.  Played in the yard.  Went anywhere it wanted.  Like an elephant.

Meanwhile I spoke to the producer who said she was making a promotional film for an Egyptian exhibit in town, and kamut was an Egyptian grain found in a tomb.

Selfies followed. 

Then we gave permission to be used in the film.  It's on Bologna tv in June.  Look for us at www. Didn't get the name.  Of course, you will need to pronounce www. Woo woo woo in Italian before anyone can help you find us.  

Holy Agricola

We arrived today at Il Sarelle , an agritourism accommodation with breakfast and dinner included in Northern Umbria.  Everything served tonight was raised here or in the area.   

First course. 
Bread and wine with farmed raised olive oil, carafe of red wine, bottle of still water.

Appetizer home grown Parma ham and sausage with olive oil and Brusetta with a tomatoe confit.
Then ravioli with pecorino cheese (we could see the goats but not sure where the sheep were). And sautéed sage and more olive oil.
Then insalade of farm greens with farm olive oil.  
Then thin sliced roast pork loin with roasted potato.
Then a slice of shortbread pastry with chocolate and cream cheese and desert wine and limoncello.

Never mind the offer of coffee.   It's 10:30 pm now.  

Tomorrow we will maybe make gnocchi with Sara , who came from Venice and married a Roman with the crazy idea of raising a family on an organic farm.

Buon notte!