Hunting in Narnia

A car next to the owner's house

On Monday, much to my excitement, Leonardo took three kids and me to Narnia!  It's a small town in the vicinity of Todi whose name inspired C.S. Lewis for his wonderful Chronicles.  We weren't going to find Aslan, but to get my Fiat 500! If you haven't yet figured out that this would be a banner day for me, you haven't been paying attention.

After passing the largest Roman bridge ever built (which is sadly in ruins but still recognizable and lovely!) on the Via Flaminia, we pulled into a gas station.  There we met Zio Leo (Uncle Leo) who told Leonard where to go to find the owner's house.

The "coffee" machine

After handshakes all round (the gas station parking lot was like the Starbucks in Lenox), we hopped back in the car & made our second stop: the owner's house.  Practically panting in anticipation, I rang the bell. Niente. We waited.  I knocked.  Still no response. We were somewhat concerned, since we did show up late for the appointment.  I hadn't called because I didn't have the fellow's phone number, but I'd assumed he'd call me once he saw we were running late if it were a problem...

Leo went over to Zio Leo (whose friend had driven him behind us) to ask for the phone number.  No luck, but Zio Leo's friend took off with Zio in the car.  Zio came back a short time later in his own green car, and we tried the cell phone number.  Niente. The phone was switched off!!!

Zio Leo now has the idea of the day! Back in the car, and we caravan to the owner's work location! Zio Leo consults with the front desk receptionist; he cheerfully tells Zio Leo that the owner is due in at 2:00 for his shift, and gives us all the phone numbers he has on file. Zio Leo finally gets through to him, and finds out that...he's gone to have lunch with Mamma because we were late! And it's too late for him at this point to come deal with the car before he shows up.

Meanwhile, the kids have been very patient.  James loved the dogs at the work location, the car next to the owner's house (not mine...sigh), and the hot chocolate machine in the work lobby.  I provide some of his pictures for your enjoyment.  And I?  Well, I learned a new word...delusa...which means "disappointed".

The good news?  We're going back to Narnia today!!!!!!!!!!!  After that, maybe we'll "go no more a'hunting, a'hunting, a'hunting..."

Hugs from make-believe-land,
Alexandra