After a 2 hour train ride from Rome with wonderful scenery, I was warmly welcomed at the Grosseto train station by Viola and she drove me to her farm about 2K outside of Pari. The farm is occupied by Viola is in her mid to late 30’s with two 7 year old twins Emma and Alegra (ironic; their birthdays are in September also), and her significant other Graeme. He was very busy trimming the vines.
What a fantastic farm (see the pictures below by clicking on the url). We immediately started baking bread for the Siena farmers market on Friday. Viola and Cinzia, someone who helps Viola, were giving me bread baking classes throughout the day. They mostly spoke in English so I could participate, but I have asked them to speak in Italian as much as possible. I am not getting any better at the language.
Viola is originally from Florence and went to college in England, where she met Graeme, who has a background in agriculture. They decided that they wanted a farm that had a B&B attached (agritourisimo); so they purchased a farm in Italy. It was rough going until Viola found her love for bread. Now she is in full production with two ovens.
I do not think I could have asked for a better first farm. I have my own little bedroom outside of the main house (see pictures below) and attached to the bread making room. As I am sitting here writing my blog, I smell the pungent aroma of yeast , rosemary and olive oil. My room overlooks the rolling hills in Tuscany. Although it is winter, the lushness and the varied colors of winter are amazing. It makes me want to paint again.
The people are so warm-hearted and generous. I am really looking forward to the next two weeks. Tomorrow we start to make bread at 9am until around 3pm. Don’t worry My Walker Friends, I plan on getting up at 7am and walk to Pari for coffee. A Presto!
What a fantastic farm (see the pictures below by clicking on the url). We immediately started baking bread for the Siena farmers market on Friday. Viola and Cinzia, someone who helps Viola, were giving me bread baking classes throughout the day. They mostly spoke in English so I could participate, but I have asked them to speak in Italian as much as possible. I am not getting any better at the language.
Viola is originally from Florence and went to college in England, where she met Graeme, who has a background in agriculture. They decided that they wanted a farm that had a B&B attached (agritourisimo); so they purchased a farm in Italy. It was rough going until Viola found her love for bread. Now she is in full production with two ovens.
I do not think I could have asked for a better first farm. I have my own little bedroom outside of the main house (see pictures below) and attached to the bread making room. As I am sitting here writing my blog, I smell the pungent aroma of yeast , rosemary and olive oil. My room overlooks the rolling hills in Tuscany. Although it is winter, the lushness and the varied colors of winter are amazing. It makes me want to paint again.
The people are so warm-hearted and generous. I am really looking forward to the next two weeks. Tomorrow we start to make bread at 9am until around 3pm. Don’t worry My Walker Friends, I plan on getting up at 7am and walk to Pari for coffee. A Presto!
http://picasaweb.google.com/pmilano09/ItalyFarm1#5434096316422186034
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