Montalcino and Pienza

Yesterday we drove north almost a 100 k to some of the hill towns famous for wine and views. We side tracked for a trip to some thermal baths recommended by the desk clerk. The driving on the toll road is easy. It is two or three lanes each way and moving pretty fast. I'm getting adept at staying in the right lane except to pass the slow traffic and then whipping out and back. I'm going 115 k/hr or so, and some of the fast traffic is just whipping by me.

About driving: our car is a fiat pand. I'ts about the size of a mini cooper (different shape) and a stick shift. Fortunately I have recent experience with the stick shift as Peter has one.

Several observations. Only tourists use turn signals to change lanes. When changing lanes, why give up your options, just keep your wheels in both lanes until you have to committ. The cars are so small you can fit 3 in two lanes when you need to. I've stopped cringing when the car that jas just passed me pulls in frnt of me right on my bumper. After all, they are going so much faster it would be hard to hit them.

We got gas yeaterday. 21 liters was 3/4 of a tank. Gas is 1.5 euro per liter, and a euro is about 1.5 us dollars. So gas is about 10 per gallon and we got about 5 gallons. Considering that we're getting about 60 kpg or 40 mpg we're paying a little less per mile than in the eurovan at home. The driving here is similar to england (narrow roads) but at least it is on the right side of the road.

We put our feet in one of the pools at the baths, and walked around. Then Peggy drove to Montalcino. We had an expensive lunch at a small place (83 euros) and walked thru town. We walked up into the fortress for the views of Tuscany. Think San Luis Obispo. We then headed to Pienza. There were thunderstorms going across but we were missed. It was strange listening and watching but not getting any rain. Pienza has shops and a big church. They are famous for their sheep cheese (Piecora) which we skipped. We each got purses and peggy got some spices abd risoto mix.

We were tired by then and headed home. We got groceries at the super mercado, which is not super by our standards but very adequate. We had a salad for dinner in our room and watched tv.

Today we are taking the morning easy the doing a tour thru the hotel to an olive press mill and then to the clerks mother's house to prepare a typical tuscan meal.

I'll send photos later this morning. Anne