Loving Umbria

Hi All, well where do I start. It is ow Monday afternoon 1630. Reece having siesta, Keith gone off for hair cut at Chuisi, Chris siesta and me resign on my bed. We have just returned from Perugia!,,, we went to some markets in .... Can't remember the name of the village... Seems to be a market in most towns each day. They have very cleverly made vans that spread out and display their wares, then pack up and move to the next market. Lots of very ordinary clothes, some shoes , plenty of socks and bras but of course one that will fit my boobies... Veggies of course, a good variety of tomatoes,heaps of artichoke , huge red capsicum, broad beans. Also as the weather is trying to warm up lots of pots of small bright flowers which people are putting in their planter or window boxes. Lots outside the restaurants now, they look really pretty.we have had some sunshine the past few days so the wild flowers and bulbs are just starting to flower. Although as I lie here on my bed now looking up,at the sky light it is raining again and even thunder. After the market tour director Keith suggested we carry on to Perugia, the big centre of Umbria and university town. We parked near the Strada and caught the small light rail up the Hill to the town centre. Very beautiful and of course fab buildings. The view amazing however rather clouded in today. .... But I like the view from the hills around here coz there are no new buIldings to blot the landscape. The outer suburbs of Perugia like most cities ... Pretty ordinary. The apartment buildings less than average. Bit disappointing that the new Italians haven't built many smart building compared to their ancestors. However, they are clever in combining new and old eg very clever rail line up to the city centre.
We have really been out and about. We are very fortunate that Keith and Chris have been here for a few weeks and really know their way about. The villages are all quite close so doesn't take too long to get about. We had a nice drive home form Perugia around Lake Trassimino which you can see from the terrace on a clear day. Shopping is quite different from Australia. There are a few shopping malls but generally small shops that often look like they are closed!!!!! I still don't get this closing from 1300 to later in the day.
We are getting the train to Venice tomorrow. Change at Florence. Four hour journey. We will have three nights there...so I will be off air till the weekend.
Time to go. The butcher will be open now as it is 1700. Sausages for dinner.

Hope you are all,OK.
Love Pen
Ps found a good shoe shop ......couldn't resist a pair of light coloured boots.for only $60 beautiful,soft tan leather.