So, via the internet I had found this rental in a small Tuscan “hill country” village. The town is Radicondoli, and the place is called Borghetto Poggio Bianco. They don’t take credit cards, so I had wired 50% of the rental when I made the reservation and the 2^nd 50% just before leaving the states. And I was somewhat fearful that it would wind up being an internet hoax and there would be no Poggio Bianco. Ah but sometimes things work out. The place was BEAUTIFUL and brand new and we were their first guests and for several days their ONLY guests. The drive there was uneventful except that the last 30 kilometers was like the Lincoln Peak road. And the last 5 kilometers was narrower and steeper than that. And the directions were things like “drive another 8 minutes and then turn right”… But we did get there.

After settling in we headed into town for dinner. Tuscan soup, beans, fried veggies, and wild boar stew with polenta.

It was sooo quiet and peaceful. The heat of the day dissipated quickly and with the windows open a very pleasant breeze made sleeping great.

http://borghettopoggiobianco.com/

On Sunday the 27^th we boarded a tour bus and drove about 90 minutes to Figueres. Dali’s hometown. Dali built a museum there and it is very cool. There are many stories about the many ways in which Dali was psychologically bent. Some are probably a result of his self-promotion, some are probably all too true. He was born 9 months after his older brother (Salvador) died. Hmmmm. He claimed to believe that he was his brother reincarnated. What kind of parents would name the 2^nd son after the first now deceased son? He also apparently had a tormented relationship with his wife Gala. But… his art is remarkable. He had very sophisticated technique and what an imagination. We spent too little time there.

After the museum we drove to the castle Dali bought for Gala. Nothing too magnificent. Supposedly Dali bought it in 1969 for $6K.

I would have rather stayed another couple of hours in the museum….

The Dali foundation website.

Lunch, overlooking another beautiful valley full of vineyards and olive groves

So, I am trying hard to keep publishing in chronological order. We had no connectivity in Tuscany so… no Italy posts yet.

In fact, I am working on my last Spain posting, The Dali museum. But today is “catch-up” day, so we’ll see how far I can get. Meanwhile I will post 1 Italy picture to whet your appetites.  MJG underwrote a lunch of bread, wine, cheese… We ate it sitting on the grass outside the walls of Massi Maritimma. Thanks Michael!