Tramonto

Tramonto is the Italian word for sunset.  We spent most of the morning doing very little (reading, writing, sitting in the piazza drinking coffee) and then spent this afternoon out and about with Gianni.  We met with the chef and spent a good two hours going over the menu with him.  We went to the villa and went over tomorrow’s setting up needs and schedule.  And we spent some time on the phone putting the finishing touches to the tours and outings.  We took care of other odds and ends and did all we could to make the next week (starting tomorrow) flow as smoothly as possible.  I must say it was a busy day, if not challenging, but a good day!  The day ended with a dramatic Umbrian tramonto, sunset, which was the perfect ending to an important work day in Italy.

Rick photographs spent sunflowers (to be used as food for livestock).  Olive orchards decorate the background of this Umbrian landscape.

And guess what? Even Uncle Sam can’t get some folks to obey the non smoking signs in the outdoor seating areas of restaurants!

Chef Massimiliano and his fiance, Chiara!

Sunset!  It’s raining across the way in Tuscany…

Dramatic Skies!

Sunset over Lake Trasimeno in Umbria.

I am looking forward to welcoming the group tomorrow!  Off to bed I go, so I can be fresh and well rested…