STEFANO IN MILANO

• I caught up with my friend Stefano after 8 years. We’ve both aged (and enjoyed pointing this fact out to each other) … a few harsh winters! We enjoyed chatting over a café – he laughing at my Italian and me at his English. He used the term absof%ckinglutely – I nearly fell off my chair roaring with laughter. Hopefully Stefano will come down to the Villa;
• Left Milano around noon and drove to the villa in Tuscany (3.5 hour drive). More speeding, tolls costing €18 and narrow, winding roads leading to my new little town in the hills of Tuscnay (Barberino Val D’Esa) … words cannot describe the beautiful landscape here, nor can a Canon EOS for that matter;
• The owners of the Villa (whom I expected speak no English and was correct) live 3 Citroens away (that is my car and my new measurement) and they are a lovely couple who asked (no demanded) that I join them at their family-run restaurant for dinner (which is 125 Citroens away). They specalise in truffles and Chianti that they grow … ok … arm twisted and the food was sensational not to mention the Chianti and it’s set looking over the beautiful Chianti hills.

FASHION, PASSION & DASHIN'

May 29

• Fashion is everywhere! Passion and romance are also everywhere! People dash everywhere and they are dashing;
• Signor Meroni doesn’t speak any English. Signor Meroni is the man I had to collect the car from. This put my Italiano to the test!
• Great 1 hour drive from Malpensa air port back to Milano. No need to get stressed driving. just do whatever you want on the road, use your horn constantly, drive at 147km on the auto strade (in the slow lane) and you’ll be just fine … I promise!

MILANO

After 2 days of travel, safe and sound in Milano.
Travel Tips
* Business class is fabulous;
* Limón cello is a staple and given free to patrons to gain extra tips;
* Italians use their car horns as a national pass time and
* Tom Tom's don't work well in Milan when you are walking - best use a map!

GOD BLESS YOU IAN - WE WILL MISS YOU!