May 26:

This is a day to stock up on supplies: food and painting stuff. After breakfast Kay and Bob and we and a few others head down the road to the local grocery store. After buying essentials and some not so essential items we head back and spend a lazy afternoon.













At 4:00, we drive over to a farm where we are greeted by Ettore, who showed us around his farmhouse and how they make olive oil.

This is the countryside we pass on our way over to the farm.

We pass the town of Trevi on the way.








This is his family farm and he talks about his grandfather and father and how they expanded the property. It must take a variety of activities to make money on a farm these days. Yes, he produces about 1,000 liters of olive oil a year, but also tobacco, organic vegetables, cattle and sheep, and rents 2-3 apartments to vacationers. He keeps things going.
















We asked questions about storing olive oil and how to make sure we're getting the good stuff. Ettore told us that we should just put it on the shelf, out of the light, and not in the refrigerator. We asked about extra virgin and first press descriptions and he told us it was all marketing hype. When the olives are pressed, they are pressed, that's it.

After an orientation by our Untours' representative, Catarina, we are served a delicious Italian dinner, al fresco: brochette, lintels, sausages, hummus, spelt salad, and a chocolate cake for dessert. Oh yes, and bottles and bottles of a local white wine.

Ettore and his wife came around to each table and visited with us while we ate. Nice guy. His English is good enough to joke and was quite the charmer.





Sitting around on a perfect evening in Umbria, eating and visiting with friends, making new friends, and enjoying fresh food - it doesn't get much better.

Now, we're readying to start exploring Umbria and Linda is ready to paint.

Let's go.