Porto Ercole, tractors and cupcakes

So much fun for children--and adults--at the Marginis. Antonio rode with Julia on the back of the tractor as our friend went on a mission to move a rock. It doesn's sound like much, you say? Ha! Take 3 four year olds and adults who like to play with toys like tractors, add an enormous rock in the way in the olive grove...and, voila, instant entertainment.

Pietro, Antonio and Maggie's adorable, sweet-tempered 4 year old, took the work very seriously, waking up each morning with the statement "I have work to do. I must go and ride the tractor to move the rock." Graham could not agree more!

Julia? Along for the ride with her boys! Plus, she got to play with her 'dream bakery' with Maggie, Antonio's wife, later in the day. Julia had patiently waited the entire trip to get her hands on her bakery. Thank you, Maggie! Who has intuitive skills re: crafts...a class I definitely didn't take growing up...the cupcake is a result of Julia + Maggie's hard work.

I got to take the picture ;)

Costa Concordia

 The last 9 days of our trip were spent in Porto Ercole, Argentario ... and, as the Costa Concordia sunk just on the other side of the island...well, we all took the ferry to the island of Giglio to see the wreck for ourselves.
It was sad. It was amazing to see how close to 'land' this former luxury cruise ship had landed...and to see that people who were on the 'wrong side' of the ship must've gotten stuck in their cabins as the ship tilted over on its side.
The ship is in the harbor--yes, that close to land...It was a long, hot, kind of exhausting day for the children...not a lot to see on Giglio. But, as ever, the food was fresh (Seafood) and I managed to do a bit of shopping (purses, bathing cover ups, as usual).
Enjoy!

Sardinia, 2012

Annual month in Italy.

This year, Perugia, Sardinia, and, as ever, Porto Ercole with our Italian family, The Marginis..Bliss