We arrived as the sun was setting and the queues by Avis grew long. But the wait was fine, the car is brand new and Google Maps is the app to have, so with some trepidation and lots of excitement we set off on the right side.
The roads mercifully empty as we adjusted to the changed traffic signals and the very abrupt lanes which lead into motorways but our trusted maps told us we were on the right track and after a small adventure in an olive grove we met Antonella, Francesco and Jianni who welcomed us not only to our home for the next week but to a plate of parmigiana, polenta and yellow pepper, and a local white.
We looked around with cats eyes but had to reserve the best for the morning after. Waking early to the bird calls (endless fun for a certain man) to the warmth of the sun and that piercing perfection of the morning light.
You come in through this magnificent gate.
The houses, the farms, are all built in beautiful sandstone, some with the characteristic troulli which are so much part of the architecture of southern Italy. The stone is cool and warming at the same time and so reminiscent of the Greek world. These worlds grew side by side and there are still villages in this part of Italy which speak an ancient dialect called Grecko.
Equally wonderful is the courtyard or garden. Hedges of rosemary and lavender that you brush past and leave a trail of wonderful scents, strawberry plants low on the ground ripening in the sun and pomegranate trees laden with flowering fecundity.
And then the tranquil setting of the pool surrounded by the olives - and on these magnificent age old trees another blog just for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment :)