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Villa in Tuscany

So let’s be clear… the whole reason we made this trip to Europe was to celebrate Sally’s 50th birthday in a villa in Tuscany.  Pour me another glass of Chianti to toast Sal and the good fortune that makes it possible for us to come together and live this dream.

Sally and her Tuscan villa

 

 

The girls... Sarah, Sally, Amy and Fi
Nick, Sal and Dave was there too
Barry and his loves; Sal, Amy and her love, Ari
Armando and Sandro drove down from Brescia, adding to the celebration

And the villa wasn’t too shabby either….

"I love as I burn"... endless interpretations.
A mile of cypress line the driveway... how to make an entrance 🙂
The barn
The patron of the villa. He disappears over Winter, but when the shutters are opened again he assumes his rightful position in the sun by the door.

 

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We went to Italy…

and we ate and drank… a lot!

When in Rome... drink Aperol Spritz

starting in Rome…

Panthenon

 

 

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Doorways of Europe

RomeAs you know I love doorways.  Here’s a selection from Siena, Valletta and Barcelona…. starting in Tuscany…

The door handle of a Siena cobbler
solid & studded in Siena
Siena
Siena

 

Then Valletta; the city built for the Knights of St John in the late 1500’s… oft-quoted as ‘the city built by gentlemen, for gentlemen’.  More fortified stone town, than city, it’s faded elegance and painted doorways survived the most sustained bombardment of any place in WWII. The English sign-writing speaking to the last of Malta’s many overlords.

Easy to be economical, when the shop is always closed.
One door for me and one for everyone else.
You never know when his number could be useful

 

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Dolphin

 

Barcelona; Art Nouveau delight…

Who wouldn't want to buy their hat from this store?
Down the dark alley a darkened door beckons…