May 27:

Castello is a small village on the top of a steep hill about 40 minutes away from our apartment and is where the painting teacher, Janis, picked for the first day of painting.

As is the standard pattern for these painting days, Janis tells her students what she wants them to concentrate on and then they walk around the town to pick their scene where they will sit all day and paint, usually in watercolors.

Here are some of the candidates:

When we first arrived, we thought no one lived in the town, but that turned out to be false. A few residents and a bar/restaurant that is open all day, everyday. There was a second restaurant, but it looked grander and we were not into high class. 

As is the custom, many of the men, sometimes called Sherpas, haul chairs, tables, and painting supplies to the chosen places and then retire to take photographs, drink espresso and beer, and wait for lunch. At noon, we all met at the restaurant for lunch. 

Kay and Bob helping us get through lunch.

The afternoon was a repeat of the morning, except most of the shadows had left and the sun warmed up the town a bit too much. 



Here is an example of the views we see from the heights. Sometimes there will be another hill town visible in the distance.

We cook hamburger for dinner and drink wine. Linda works on the painting she has started and some of the guys retire to the bocce ball court. The court is in horrible condition and that's what we use as an excuse for our terrible performance. Eventually, the mosquitos run me off, but I return later for a few more games, enticed by golden colored grappa. I don't like the clear version, but this stuff was good. An excellent nightcap.