There and Back Again

Not just 500s

Jeremy went on this weekend's Fiat 500 rally, and we had a great time, as usual! This was a different group, seated in Foligno, but the rally actually started quite near our house (in Ripabianca, on the way to Deruta).

This group gives the definite impression of driving to eat. We arrived at 10, and the breakfast was still out (it started at 8). People were still munching and wandering around admiring each other's cars. After a bit of this, and registration (10 euros), we started off. Amid a fanfare of hoots in many different pitches (including mine!) and escorted by about 10 motorcyclists, we left Ripabianca. After about 10 minutes of driving, we pulled up a white road into ... a winery I've been meaning to visit!

This was just the first helping!

Parking to provide the best views of our cute cars, we got out to wander around aimlessly -- until the food came out, that is. Then the ravening hordes descended on a spread of bruschetta, pizza with onions and pizza with tomato, porchetta, and (of course) wine.

I put my time to good use and purchased a 5-liter jug of wine as we were fresh out at home. I got the better merlot that they had on offer, and ended up paying 10 euros including the glass jug. As a present for coming on the raduno (because the food wasn't enough), they gave us a specially labeled bottle of wine as well! (Sadly, I spilled some wine on the label, so it's a bit smudged, but you get the idea).

And we're off!

And, we're off again! This time to the sanctuary of the Madonna dei Bagni. This is a sanctuary I've been meaning to visit for some time, so it was very pleasant to have the excuse. The church itself is rather small, but it is absolutely fascinating and rather intimate: the walls are covered with ceramic plaques and tiles (we were very near Deruta, after all) that commemorate graces received. These plaques go all the way back to the early 1700s and possibly before (they weren't all dated), but include also very recent events...car wrecks which people unexpectedly survived, operations that saved the person's life, and so on. It was really moving to see.

No food there, I'm sorry to say.

Off again, our little procession going through the beautiful countryside, and through towns with spectators waving and grinning at the cuteness, and then a stop in another small town for a pre-prandial snack. This included insalata di farro, salami, prosciutto, olives, pizza, and so on. Of course wine and other non-alcoholic offerings.

At this point, Jeremy and I were ready to get home to clean the house (!), and so we said our goodbyes.

Next week, Norcia!

Love,

Alexandra