Paolo's Birthday

Party time in Umbria, the kids are ready.
Therese hasn't changed since year 6! Just as gorgeous as ever.Brendan and his pork.There's nothing like a bit of ABBA to get the people up and dancing! Buon compleanno Paolo!It takes all night to finish that bottle of champagne.

Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa - in one day!!

Breakfast of champions for today is going to be a long day! Hello! Wandering through the streets of Siena.
One of the seventeen Contrade of Siena, the Oca (goose).

Church of San DomenicoScene from Palio di Siena (crazy horse race)A crafty idea to try at home...Cathedral of SienaIncredible marble floors.Black and white is from the coat of arms of Siena. Very striking.
Michaelangelo has been here too! I can recognise that twisted torso anywhere.Ceiling in the attached Piccolomini library (yes, it was relatively small). Amazing.

They don't make books like this anymore.

The dome.

Listening to the tour guide through the streets of Siena.I love these Tuscan towns on top of hills.Lunchtime at an organic Chianti vineyard.They had cows and the cows liked Matilda (lick, lick).Matilda samples the white wine. At the end of a most delicious spread of food.Next stop, San Gimignano, and Brendan befriends a local.Can you read the sign? Of course we had to sample their range.

I won't mention names, but one of us even when back for seconds.So damn cute... and Italian.Tuscany and it's sunflowers.My sunflower. (The other flower was on the bus snoozing.)The Duomo in PisaThe obligatory cheesy photo :)Matilda wakes up just in time to get her own cheesy photo.

Florence

Florence, city of art.Now, there's a real man! I'm talking about Brendan of course.
Isabelle races up the stairs of Uffizi gallery.

(My children only seem to have one speed.)

Having a little break after art art art. So beautiful I could cry.Arno riverSanta Croce church. Michaelangelo, Rossini, Macchiavelli are buried here.

Galileo Galilei was placed here 95 years after his death.

Kong Kong had been looking forward to this meal at Cibreo for weeks.The girls learn about cuisine from our very personal waiter.

Umbria Day 2

The pool at the top of the hill. Beautiful, tranquil place... OK, maybe not so tranquil once you add kids! The girls make friends immediately who join us for lunch.Breon, dog trainer extraordinaire, and Kong Kong find HUGE truffles!The smile says it all.