Day Four - The Ocean and Antonio's Class!!!

At Le Peinore, we were greeted every morning with a very traditional Tuscan breakfast of cheeses, salami, fruits, yogurt, cereal, eggs, breads (and spreads) and espresso.

Here are a few shots from the market that we stopped by before picnicking at the beach.



Jane scarfs a sardine.



Local cheeses and prosciutto are served along with goodies from the previous night.




Shaded huts were built from the driftwood.

Rose Marie and that man who lives in the back (Bill) pose during their walk along the shoreline.



Here's two tall, muscular, intelligent Italians enjoying the sun!

Accompanied by an Italian Fox....she was actually begging at the picnic table!

Carey enjoying the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean sea.

We stop in Castel del Piano to visit a couple of specialty shops. This is where both Vincenzo and Antonio have lived for the last 15 to 20 years.

A nice pose in the town square.

Here is the finest in a plush sports car....

This shop filled and then labeled the olive oil bottle, while you waited. This was made with their olive press. Here is the shop owner.



How about a venison shank ready to slice off your needs for the day?

The size of their vehicles reminded you of the Fisher Price cars we get for our children at an early age. We calculated that fuel was at over $7 per gallon for diesel!

Lots of help in the kitchen...here's Mary Kay and Liz.

Alice is put to task with the eggplant.

Jean is slicing.

Onto the polenta. Boy, I hope that we make enough.

The polenta needed to be stirred in shifts and had to keep moving.

Vincenzo burns another meal. These are the veggies in olive oil and he assures us that he meant to do this!

Chef Vincenzo is in charge of the cooking lessons for this evening.

We must have more red wine.

Chef John is stirring the polenta but being a ham!

Here is the finished sauteed delight. All fresh local produce.

Here is the toaster.....actually it is used to "roast chestnuts on an open fire." Our American Chestnuts were wiped out in the 60s due to a blight, but these were all over the Tuscan region and we were there the week of the local Chestnut Dance and festival.


Mimi figured out 32 times how to sneak inside and join us at the dinner table.

The crew sits down to another wonderful meal.



Jean and Tom stop for a Kodak moment.

John and Liz are enjoying the evening.

The crew is sitting around the fire after the meal with Grappa which is a pungent liquor.

Randy and Elena pose for a quick snap.