Our digs and days

Kathy here-
  Woke to the sound of the church bells this morning, six of them, but soon realized I had missed the first two as it was now after 8am. We went to bed late last night after watching the USA-Ghana match in the World Cup. Anyone who knows us, knows we are are mostly fair weather sports fans, but being in Italy during World Cup time and being huge Ghana fans in general,  what can we say! We did not watch the game in our fantastic mountain top/garden enveloped apartment, we went down to the main street where the local cooperative bank had sanctioned it's portico for a large outdoor screening of the game, projected on the wall.  Someone had thoughtfully set out at least 40 chairs and so there was a small crowd gathered. Since there is a gelateria and cafe just nearby Iris got her gelato of the day (I believe it was chocolate and limone this time) and we sat down to enjoy. Good thing we were there, as there was a large group of American college students who are in town studying the language, so SOMEBODY had to cheer for the Ghanaians. Who won in the end, although it was a close match for sure. We noticed the students yesterday at the end of the day who were all sitting with their laptops outside the language school door, crowded close together on the old,old stones of the tiny street, obviously  taking advantage of the free wireless. A funny sight for sure. We will see if it works for us today.
Coming out of the bedroom this morning I was almost blinded by the sunlight streaming in the small but incredibly charming living room. Tried to make coffee but it failed miserably compared to what is just down a flight of stairs and a narrow and steep passage to the main street. Have to wait and enjoy later.

The birds are amazing, the smells heavenly and the view is 180 degrees of reddish Tuscan buildings, rolling hills, farms and mountains in the distance, broken only by a very large and healthy evergreen tree, stemming from the garden below, which Rory scandalously suggested should be chopped down so as to better see all the incredible beauty before us. Our hosts are, jn fact, serious and talented gardeners and arriving yesterday through the garden, we passed by BUSHES of rosemary! We'll be cooking with that soon for sure. Its nice actually to have our own kitchen, and last night Rory made a great Papardelle with mushrooms and garlic, as well as a lovely salad with gorgonzola a la Michael. Mmmm. Ciao for now.