GETTING READY FOR OUR THIRD TRIP TO IL MOLINO

Well, here we go again.  On Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 8:02 in the evening we board a Delta flight from JFK and head to Rome arriving on Monday at around 11:00 A.M.  From there we take a train to a place called Tarentola where Pino will pick us up and take us back to Il Molino for our 7 week stay.  We will be doing pretty much the same as our other visits.  There will be guests to accommodate, lawns to mow (hopefully not as many times as Spring), the pool to tend, dogs, cats and fish to feed,  and just general up-keep.  Caroline and Pino will be away on their walking tours of Italy while we are house sitting.Check out the new web site: www.caspin.com. or follow on facebook.                                                                                                .

This is a picture of Bianca.  As you can see she is holding a nice hunk of bread in her mouth.  Well according to Caroline, when we were there in the Spring, the dogs (Molly included, not pictured here) "look like they had a lot of love while we were gone".  Oops!!  I guess I have to be a little more careful  this time when it comes to feeding the dogs.  But, when they look at you with those innocent eyes,  how can you help not giving them a treat.  Ok that's it.  No bread from the bread man or what is left over from our 3 times a week delivery of bread.  Just your regular cups of  dog food daily and that's it.  Sorry girls.  By the way, did you know that bread is considered a utensil in Italy.  Just kidding.  But, think about it,  it does work as one.

Speaking of food, here I am last year sitting on the steps of a building in Cortona eating a nice refreshing gelato. Well I guess I'll have to keep that under control also.  I did, however, find out that gelato has less calories than regular ice cream. Ok, maybe one or two a week.  It is so good.  Especially when it is freshly made each day.  How could you resist.  Speaking  of food.  Just about everything you eat there in Tuscany is fresh and tasty.  The picture below is of the market in Camucia, a town close to us and where the Co-Op market is located.  We do spend a lot of time in that store.  Not to mention the money.

As you can see here, it is a great place to shop.  You are looking at the meat section in the background and just a small portion of the veggie and fruit section in front.  Prices are comparable to here and the store operates pretty much the same as in the U.S.  The difference, however, is the price of the Euro.  We have paid as much a $1.41 for each Euro.  This time I was able to purchase some at TD Bank for around $1.37.  So basically you are paying about 30-40% more than you would in the U.S.  That is true for just about everything you buy.  The dollar is getting stronger against the Euro, but we still have a long way to go.

Here is a picture of a place in the southern part of Italy called Plazzetto Florio.  This is a small bed and breakfast with efficiency rooms located in a small fishing village called S. Maria Di Castellabate.  Caroline and Pino will be home for a few days in mid September so we will be able to leave for some touring of our own.  We have reservations here for that period and plan to do some touring of the area.  This was recommended by Caroline so we know that it must be good.  I am not sure what that is at the top of the hill behind the inn, but you know I will find out and let you know in a future blog.  We also plan to visit Pompei from here.  I'll try to take many pictures and send them to you in a blog.

This is a view from one of the efficiencies.  I am not sure if it is the one we will have, but I was told we have a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.  If you google Plazzetto Florio, you will see more pictures of the area.  This is a small out-of-the-way area.  That's what we look for in our travels around Italy.  We have already done the big cities and their attractions and now we want to experience the true flavor of Italy.  So far it has been a wonderful experience.  Stay tuned for more blogs.  Everyone has asked for more pictures, so that is my plan for future blogs.  Caio for now.