lotsa fun, eh?: DAY SEVEN

Our first outing. Cathy drives us through the gorgeous countryside towards Spoleto, our start seen here on another short film, and I thank Rita Chiarelli for providing the music. She sings about Rome, and it's not Rome you see, but it is Italy. And it's bella.

We start with sun, but by the time we've climbed some steep hills nearing the town, it begins to snow. I pray it stops. We do, and go into a small roadside place – doesn't look like much, but inside is a fireplace and a very intriguing menu. Of course we eat – the best pasta I have ever had – tagiatelle con zucca. Unbelievable. When I convince Cathy that the snow will stop (I've seen enough Haliburton weather to recognize the good, bad and ugly in snow), we continue on. Spoleto has a very ancient basilica of gorgeous stone and beautiful frescoes, and a church that we visit, then we get back into town for some tea before moving on to Todi, the next town. Getting on for sunset when we arrive, and again, the buildings and streets just make you gasp. Everything is beautiful, a far cry from the dreariness and functionality of cities in North America. Orvieto is our last stop, and the duomo is closed, but it's lit up and striking all the more in the dark. The streets are busy and interesting and we go for dinner where I have more pasta, rivalling the plate I had earlier. I'm in heaven. We go back to Ficulle tired but pastafied.