Mmmm. San Ginesio....

Another connection Aunt Rach made for us was a chance to ride these awesome Tuscon draft horses, called Friesians.  They're huge and lovely.  Did you see Lady Hawk?  Same kind of horse - filmed in this area of Italy, too.  Awesome.  I know.  Any way - this is Perla.  She's lovely. 

Did I say Medieval?  I mean really.  Where else do you see animals like this?  I swear, it's crazy.  We ate things like Wild Boar and truffles on pasta with squash.  Very hearty, earthy foods.  Delicious.

Si having his turn with Perla, Aunt Rach walked each kids around the arena - a lot.  There was a man here that was giving lessons to the older kids as well.  Sam really enjoyed the lesson, while the other kids just took their turn riding.

Gid waiting for his turn.  He HAD to wear the HAT!

On a drive up into the mountains, we came across a heard of mama and baby goats.  They were so cute with their bleating and their sheep bells jangling.

I think our best meal in Italy was eaten here with Rachelle and Federico, at their home, prepared by Fede (and a little help from Rach, too).  It was a barbecue, with yummy salad, roasted veggies, and delicious pork.  We were in heaven.  It was SO nice to have us.  I really can't tell you what a neat experience being here with them was for us.

This is a door in their house.  They have amazing Venetian glass doors and lamps all over their house.  And gorgeous  iron work, made locally.  In fact, you'll see below our trip to the iron worker.  Awesome.

 Meet Carlo, their bird.  Who, apparently has never been around five wild indians before - I'm just glad he survived us.  It was some thing like this, times five, all at once; "Carlo!  Caio, Carlo!  Hi Carlo.  Carllllllllllo!  Caio, Carlo.  Caio!" Over, and over and over.  BTW, he does say "Caio" and he does say his name with a great tongue roll.  "Carlllllo".  But really, I think he was shaking in his cage, feathers dropping, and begging for his cover to be on for the rest of his life - by the time we left.  He was very cute and nice - and he's like 30 years old.  He is Fede's mother's bird, and she's had him something like 25 years.  Lucky for us - we didn't kill him off.  :)

You're only getting small glimpses of Fede, because he had to work most of the time.  But he did come with us to see their friend the iron worker.  He makes beautiful things and showed the kids how foundry works.  They loved it, and Simon will tell you THIS, in fact, was his favorite part of the trip.  And still wants to know when we can get our own iron working shop set up in the back yard.  First question from both boys - "Can he make swords?"

Inside the fiery furnace.  What a cool thing to see something so Medieval, in a place that has had black smiths for ages.  Making all the weapons and equipment young boys of today dream about.  Fascinating.