MM Links October 2011 Week 2
Hello from Morgan Le Fay for week number 2:
For the past twenty-odd years I have lived in Edinburgh but I am still a country bumpkin at heart. So, when my daughter asked if I might be interested in going olive-picking in Tuscany, I jumped at the chance. Since I loved Italy and was doing an Italian course, it seemed too good to be true.
Accompanied by a friend, kitted out in outdoor clothing and walking boots, we jetted off to Rome where we caught the Florence-bound train, finally arriving very late in the mediaeval town of Cortona where we spent one night in the Hotel San Luca. Despite our late arrival, the kitchen produced a historic pasta dish garnished with fresh truffle shavings that I remember with relish to this day.
The following day was spent exploring the ancient narrow streets of this scenic hilltop village before being picked up by our hosts. In darkness we drove up the dirt-track deep into the hills. Our seven fellow harvesters for the week were Belgian, French, and Spanish.
The first thing that struck me in the morning was the absolute beauty and tranquillity of the location. The ancient converted watch-tower was surrounded by olive groves and the views over the valley to the towers of Cortona were breathtaking.