In a Tuscan castle eating and drinking in the beauty and the wine ...

Today is a hard one to find words for, even for me. I lost a day because of the travel and struggled with deciding wether to stay in Florence and walk around and go through all the famous museums or to bike through Tuscany. I may never be albe to convey why I had no choice but one thing is for sure, and that is that I have not an ounce of regret.
I am learning quickly and listenting to my heart that the beauty that pulls me is away from the crowds and the castles. In the country with its ordinary yet extraordinary people.
I met up with what became my cycling clan at the end of a bridge. There were people under it painting the beauty that pulled at them. The group was wonderful. Lots of young and fun people and everyone got along wonderfuly.
We started by driving a good half hour out into the country and the views from the drive alone were just painfully beautiful. We settled in at a castle that has become a winery and olive oil making place ... he he he I dont remember what that part is really called. It just felt like history and loving wine as I do it was really cool to see how things are done on a smaller european level. There were oak barrels that seemed the size of my place. The walls are still stone and as we climed up the tower the views became more and more brilliant. I could just imagine having tea and reading at the very top each morning ... I could do that you know.
There were random flower bushes and tons of vines (how are mine Linda?) and just like ireland it took every ounce of digninty in me to not try and steal a clipping.
After buying one of the more acclaimed wines that i plan to drink at the end of a hike in Cinco Terra we headed off on our bikes. It felt so good to have my little feet spinning round and round again. And in that i was once again reminded of how very far I have come in the last year. I must always remember that when I am feeling like I can not get past something. We peddled down hills through sunflower fields and swarms of what I believe were swallows to a small town for a scrumptious lunch. We tackled a huge hill that i made it all the way up to rest and fill ourselves with cool yummy yummy water. Tuscany reminded me a lot of the okanogan but with castles and towers popping out of the top of this hill and that hill. The sympetry of the vineyards captured my imagination and I giggled to myself as I pictured what my vineyard might look like ... all wonky and off kilter ... still I think the love that would go into my wine would make it world famous eh!
I remember a little lady watering her orchard in a flowered dress and a hankerchief tied tightly around her neck. She was crunched over and manovering a huge fireman like hose. I picked out a couple homes that i would happily call my own and felt my heart exhale a litte more today. Some wonderful kind girls from California met me at the festival latter in the evening and we had some good chuckles at the professional rollerskaters and the little kids trying so hard to learn to stay off their little bottoms. The guides who were good fun and very nice as well joined us up latter for some drinks and a little dancing. Again another fabulous day ... made so by a wonderful people, beautiful land, and a present heart.
Good night and sweet dreams my sweets.