Ireland & Italy 2019

September 28, 2019

On this day, we would do something special and memorable, harvesting the white grapes in the farmhouse orchard, to be made into sacramental wine for the local church.

But first we go into Citta di Castello, in Umbria on the Tiber River, for traditional Italian coffee and a pastry.  

at the Bar Della Posta on Corso Cavour...

(photo courtesy Google Streetview)

where we were entertained by this delivery van that didn't quite make the turn....the awning on the newstand was damaged and the lady who owned it made sure the driver knew it!

Saturday is also market day in Citta...

 But
But for us, we have the unique opportunity to help in the grape harvest back at the farmhouse.....it's hot, sticky work...and our new friend Paolo gives us the rest of the day off after harvesting for about an hour...

The harvest, at day's end...drying in the old chapel...

We then head to a nearby hilltop village called Monte Santa Maria Tiberina...which we can actually see from the farmhouse...

On the way we pass a wonderful field of small sunflowers..

some wildlife...

and we never get tired of the views of the Italian countryside...

or the narrow streets, steps, doorways, and walls...

 

and ruins...

then we head back to Citta di Castello for a delightful lunch at Hostaria L'Accademia....

Umbria is well-known for truffles, so why not try "Gnudi con salsiccia crocante e tartufo"....

here it is!

again, we wander the streets, amid the laundry...

and the.....ovens?....

and visit the Cattedrale di San Florido e Amanzio...some of which dates back to the 11th century but most of it was rebuilt in the 17th century...

 Then we climb - the Campanile cilindrico...started in the 1200s and completed in the 1400s...

wooden stairs...

ramps...

well-worn stone stairs...

and the view from the top...

the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Belvedere in the distance...

one-metre thick walls...

so after that climb, we've earned a gelato, so back to Corso Cavour to All Ice...

(photo courtesy Google Streetview)

that orange-coloured melon sorbet was terrific..

then a walk along the Tiber River...

and we end the day back in the chapel next to our farmhouse....chatting with Isabella about her life-long work with native Italian apples, pears, and other fruit..