Thursday 5-25-06
Not a cloud in the sky this morning - a beautiful day! We were supposed to meet a Slow Travel messageboard friend in Montalcino - she actually lives in Palm Desert, about an hour from us. Yes, that's right - this was my FIRST Slow Travel GTG and it was with PALMA!
Palma and I had talked by phone a couple of times that day, and we met in the shopping area of Montalcino. Palma was with a couple of other gals, one was Ida - Vico Girl on Slow Travel. They were experiencing a couple of little travel glitches (non-working ATM card and misplaced wallet), but we decided to all have lunch closeby. We chose Grappolo Blu because of its stellar reputation, and it did not disappoint!
For some reason, I did not write down what we ate, but everything was delicious. And the chatting just went on and on. In my forgetful state of mind, I also forgot to take photos of lunch, so Palma graciously sent me a couple that she had taken.
We had a dinner invitation from Fiorella, the grand dame of our agriturismo for an authentic home-cooked Tuscan dinner, and we couldn't pass that up even though it meant eating two big meals in one day.
There were 24 of us at dinner - 8 German cyclists, a family of 4 English-speaking Germans, and the rest Americans. We just ate and ate and ate! And drank too - wine was included. We made friends with a couple from Atlanta who were staying on the 2nd floor of our little building. They were lots of fun!
When I looked at that last photo, I wondered why Bill had his dark glasses on whether it was day or night. Then I remembered that they were his new Prada glasses from Florence, and he was SO proud of them! Of course, it could have been all that wine too!
Comments (8)
Oh My Gosh Nancy, meeting Palma in Italy..that's a great story!
Posted by Barb Cabot | April 10, 2009 10:43 AM
Posted on April 10, 2009 10:43
Nice photos, and how amazing it is to go all the way to Italy to meet someone who loves an hour away. Great memories for you.
Posted by candi | April 10, 2009 11:56 AM
Posted on April 10, 2009 11:56
Nancy, I love Grappolo Blu! We were there with ColleenK and Jim and I think we had the same table as you and Palma. Why don't we plan on meeting there sometime :)
Posted by Casey | April 10, 2009 3:32 PM
Posted on April 10, 2009 15:32
Yes, it was kind of ironic that Palma and I should meet so far from home.
Casey, I would love to meet up with you at Grappolo Blu!
Posted by nancyhol | April 10, 2009 4:51 PM
Posted on April 10, 2009 16:51
Hi Nancy, actually, that was me, Casey's gramma. I forgot to change the name as I was on his blogger account when I wrote. But....Casey would like to meet you there, too. :-)
Posted by Jane | April 11, 2009 8:26 AM
Posted on April 11, 2009 08:26
Jane, that is so funny! I thought Casey sounded pretty grown-up in that comment!
Posted by nancyhol | April 11, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on April 11, 2009 18:03
I have heard good things about Grappolo Blu. That is funny that you met Palma in Italy when you (I think) don't live too far from each other in California. Sounds like you had a fabulous day!
Posted by girasoli | April 11, 2009 11:09 PM
Posted on April 11, 2009 23:09
Sounds like a fun day. We also loved Grappolo Blu
Posted by sheri | April 12, 2009 5:59 PM
Posted on April 12, 2009 17:59