Tuscany 2004 - Day 6

Thursday, 24 June 2004

8:00 - we don't sleep in today because of the alarm clock, and we also have a trip to Orvieto on the agenda. So the day starts with pure stress. Everything is going smoothly, but of course the Siena-Arezzo connection is not yet finished. It's all just a smokescreen. To be fair, however, you have to admit that the progress made in the last two years has put the entire construction progress of the previous eight years in the shade. So I expect the remaining holes to be fully repaired by 2010 at the latest. But it will go much faster than in the old days. The rest of the motorway is also quickly completed and we soon see the edifying cityscape of Orvieto , picturesque and impressive, lying on a tuff stone base. Incidentally, the weather is wonderful for swimming today, bright sunshine, hardly any wind.

The town is very pleasant, it's market day and we quickly secure a lunch break, La Volpe el'uva from the ODI. We stroll a bit through the narrow streets and look in the shop windows, I even buy two GAS shirts. I notice once again that my figure is more like the shape of a barrel than a human body. I've never been as pale as I am now in my entire life, I don't need a scale for that. I think I'm scratching around the 80s, the terrible truth will be confirmed in the bathroom at home anyway.

Nevertheless, we stop for lunch. There is good bruschetta with green olive spread, tomatoes, oil & garlic and truffle paste. Then there is homemade truffle pasta (how surprising!), then a charcoal-grilled lamp with tomatoes and potatoes, all very tasty. The house wine, this time a local white called Torricella from Bigi, is very decent, and Herbert buys it in an enoteca for 6 eggs. That's OK. Fruity, strong (13%), with a pleasant acidity, of course a little sweeter than at home. We also have coffee, then the waiter recommends a grappa, the name of which I have forgotten. It is made from a Chardonnay in a barrique and is very digestible. Very good, milder than aiola. Maybe not exactly THE stomach cleanser, but very good. As I said, I have unfortunately forgotten the name.

Then we get some exercise, climb the tower and get a wonderful view from a lofty height. It's unbelievable that this not particularly large city has 9 (!) churches. As I said, great panorama, then we go to the cathedral, also very airy and above all - cool. The sun is now burning down outside. At around 5 we set off for home, when we get there we enter the American-free pool and at around 7:45 dinner is prepared. We have homemade pasta (you know: tomatoes, zucchini, mozzarella and basil), followed by a homemade mousse. Everything was very delicious, especially as it was our first dinner outside, on the terrace.

We'll watch the second half of England vs Portugal inside, Rooney has been out since the 27th minute. So my prediction that the British will use their offensive power and advance is obviously wrong. Nevertheless, they managed to save themselves (after leading 1-0 since the 3rd minute through Owen) and make it to the penalty shootout (2-2 after 120 minutes), where Beckham and Vassel then messed up. All in all, a very exciting and, above all, good match with pace, technique and commitment. Off to bed at 1:45 and a good night's sleep.