Welcome back to Tuscany

Vernazza to Querce, Tuscany Day 12 28 May 2009

Getting the trunk and the bags to the station from the room is nowhere near the drama it was going the other way.  Maybe we are getting used to this goat like existence!

Pick up a nice Opel Corsa (rental car) in La Spezia and head out towards Tuscany.  The first toll gate stumps us until we realise that all we need to do is pick up a ticket!!  Doh!!

Driving on the Autostrada has changed dramatically since we were here in 2007.  Then there were no enforced speed limits.  They have now introduced a demerit points system and wow, the difference is amazing.  There are still some cars hurtling along, but nowhere near the same number and with the insane speeds they used to do.  The continual convoys of huge trucks I do find a bit daunting, but get used to ducking out into the fast lane to pass and then back into the relative safety of the slow lane.  We actually came across some police with a speed camera in operation at one point.  Amazing.

We decide to head to Querce via Lucca, a town near there.  We have heard about this place and decide to mooch there for lunch.  It surely is a wonderful place.  It is a walled town that has a lovely feel to it.  There are people everywhere travelling around on bikes.  A lovely piazza invites us in and we are drawn to a lovely restaurant for lunch.  I order a huge plate of prosciutto and melon.  The plate arrives with a substantial serving of prosciutto and lashings of beautiful melon.  This is the pinnacle of perfection for this dish.  We love Lucca!  Lucca also has an amazing tower with trees growing on the top and a circular piazza made from buildings all around that is quite remarkable.  The people are very relaxed here and it has a lovely feel, with large trees, peace....

Roberto, Simona's brother picks us up at the Autostrada exit and escorts us directly to Querce, which is wonderful, as I would never have found the Vincenti villa through all the back roads after exiting the Autostrada.

It feels like coming home returning to this amazing place, where we are welcomed with open arms by everyone, including Lucky the dog!  During the two years since we were here last Lucky did not live up to his name as he arrived home one day with a terrible head wound of unknown origin.  However he seemed fully recovered, so maybe he did.  We feel such warmth here and they are so kind.  After some coffee, we set off with Roberto to see a leather goods manufacturer that Silvana thought might be an option for Dream of Italy - Alberto Gozzi.  What we find is amazing, but not for us.  It is Gucci style shoes with matching bags that are real fashion items.  Wonderful quality and shoes to die for, but not aligned to our business vision and direction unfortunately.  It was a wonderful opportunity, but not a flier.

Then back to Querce for a tour of the property and garden again.  Lovely and peaceful here and just like 2007, with Lucky the dog darting around us as we walk about.  Vegetables and fruit all growing nicely in the garden.  I ask Roberto how often they come down here and he says "As often as possible!"  I understand.  His wife Anna and their new born son Riccardo are a part of the experience.  Roberto's nonna (grand mother) who was a chef in Milan cooks us another outstanding meal for dinner; a full traditional Italian meal, with pasta, chicken and sausages, fried potatoes and beans.  Mmmmm.  This was followed by a "dolce" of lovely strawberries and ice-cream.  Then coffee.  We so enjoyed this evening and were talking until after 11pm.  I enjoyed getting to know Roberto and Anna a little more.  She is a doctor and almost finished her training as a specialist.  Roberto and I shared a love of photography as well. Adriana warmed to Kathy as well (she speaks no English) and is amazing at 86.  She still loves cooking and we felt the love from all of them.