Giro d'Toscana: September 6 - Asciano, Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery

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What's this?

My attempt at a panoramic shot of a view on the way to the monastery. Mary welcomes us from her alcove. The penguin checks out the surroundings. I have no excuses for this picture. I just felt silly. Geri, Lynda, Nello, Brian, Paulette (I think that's her behind Liz), Liz, and paul mill about while David looks on from his throne. Yes, that was Paulette behind Liz. The camera geeks (myself included) go nuts. Claire explains to Nello why she isn't allowed in the monastery. San Benedetto is the patron saint of the monastery. (I think) Nello explains to Lynda, Liz, and David about the big freeze in '85 and how it affected the olive trees, but I don't remember any of it. The monastery. The monastery looking tall. I think that's the dormatory part of the monastery. We weren't allowed in there. Nello explains about the paintings that tell the story of San Benedetto. (He set me straight on which saint it is by email) I just like this painting because of the dog and the cat. They're fighting over what looks like a fish head. The spectacular view from the monastery. Approaching Asciano. You just have to love the efficiency of putting a toilet in the shower stall. The van that carried our stuff parked in frontt of our hotel. A real Italian bicycle store. That's Nello's bike parked on the left. And that's a real Italian guy... well,I guess he's loitering Waiting for the van ride to our dinner place. That's Lora that's so efficiently blocking Wayne and Lynda. I can't recall, but that might be the place where we ate dinner. That's real farm equipment at the agriturismo where we ate dinner. The ladies welcome us. Lynda makes friends immediately. The Chianini cows that we came to eat. Well, we didn't actually eat this one. The veterinarianss examine the animals. The flock standing around at sunset. The young ones are galloping. Hey, stop that! Your meat'll get tough. Bartolo introduces his wife. They all laugh at the dork with the camera. Okay, forget the other places. This is where I want to live. Look at the cattle and sunset. Forget the cattle. Look at the sunset. Ignore the ugly seam in the picture. This little tyke charmed us all with his antics. Lawrence and Cindy were especially taken with him. David takes the swing for a test drive. The antipasti is laid out for us on an outdoor table. After we get inside, we're given piles of meat. Okay, it's thinly-sliced meat. Wayne helps Lora identify her meat. Janet, David, Geri, Cindy, and some unidentified hands enjoy their pasta. Joanne, Paul, Brian, Paulette, and Lawrence enjoy the food immensely. Janet, David, Geri, Cindy, (ah! That's whose hands they were!) Nello, Claire, and Liz enjoy the wine even more. Bartolo brings more food. Well, more food. Yeah, that's it. An unintended self-portrait. Good god! Look at all those bottles! Claire's really liking that spot. Dara's acting interested in what I'm saying, or is it the other way around? Claire and David discuss life while Claire dips her biscotti in <what was that dessert wine called?> Claire says "no more pictures!" Lynda, Claire, and Nello (and part of Wayne) discussing life. Claire makes an important point, but Lynda and Nello look distracted. Bartolo passes out figs... the most awesome figs I've ever had. Lora can't decide between figs and grapes. Meanwhile, Janet cleanses her pallate for more fruits. The wild bunch (Paul, Liz, Nello, and I think that's Lawrence's knee) drinking grappa. Yes, that was Lawrence, and Claire, too. I think Dara was with us as well, but my memory is a bit fuzzy.

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