Tuscany - arrival

Leaving Positano and its beautiful sunshine this morning was hard if only the weather had been like that the whole time we were there.  Anyways we call the porters to collect our bags as we can not carry them up the steep stairs to the were the driver is waiting for us and we are on the windy road again to get out of Positano via Sorrento to Naples where we catch a train for 3.5hours to Florence.  The train this time has leather seats which recline, free snacks, drinks and wi-fi.  

Arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station I immediately knew it was Florence based on my last visit.  One side it is extremely beautiful and the other you see the poor and homeless begging for money and doing their business (peeing) right there in front of you.  We quickly head off to our drivers car and jump in and head out of the city to our villa.  The driver we have speaks a little English and attempts to very kindly show us some of the sights around Florence as we head out.  We are quick to get onto the freeway and soon we are surrounded by olive trees glistening in the sun and vine leaves loaded with heavy grapes which are yet to be picked and dark red in colour.  The view of the rolling hills with churches, houses and small towns is picturesque and peaceful.  We stopped off to get some groceries from a town nearby the villa with our driver and soon we arrive at our villa.  The caretaker greats us with open arms and she is delighted to see us as she thought we got lost cause we were late.  She takes us through the villa and has her friend (our cleaner) with her as well so we can get to know her and we understand that she doesn't speak English very well (or at all), which is so cute cause out come the hands to point and explain things.  We agree what tasks will be done and times she will visit.  The villa is just outside a very small town and in the middle of nowhere.  To get around you need a car or you can walk to the nearest town (2kms) and hope for the local bus.  One day will be spent in Florence and shopping so at that point l will get a car and get driving around these beautiful hills and towns.  I want to visit Siena and San Gimignano at some point and it's easier driving instead of paying 260euro for a day while a car will cost that much for a week.  The villa reminds me a lot of my grandmothers house in the village but kept and restored better than hers.  It has 1 bedroom on the bottom floor which has a small sitting area attached to it (this is my room due to my motion sickness issues where floors are uneven) and the 2nd level has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and another sitting area, while the top level has another bedroom with a bathroom.   The last floor which is near my room is the kitchen area which goes out onto the garden area.  We have a table and many chairs under a pergola and down a small path we have a swimming pool with lounge chairs looking out onto towns and hills,  absolutely peaceful and beautiful views.  The only thing l can hear is the geese in the neighbours garden near us, bees, flies and lizards.

Dinner is bought for us on the first  evening and we eventfully attempt to use ovens and microwaves to get it going.  By 10pm we are eating and spent from the days travels.  Off to bed.

I awake to a beautiful sunny morning looking out my window over to the hills, have some breakfast and put on a load of washing.  I am quick to get the swimmers on and sit by the pool reading and typing my blog.   The sun is warm and every so often a small breeze comes our way making it a little more bearable, not sure how much l can take the heat and will be in the water soon.  Lunch and drinks are to come as we ease into a week of doing nothing, so to speak.

Will keep you all posted on the weeks travels.

Ciao Z xx