Monticchiello - Heaven in a Hill Top Village

Heaven on a hill top is how we describe our week in Monticchiello



Our home for a week in the autumn of 2006

It was as we had imagined – the winding road through undulating hills, the roadside bordered by cypress trees. You’ve witnessed the scene in every typical Tuscan rural poster.


We bought this poster while in Tuscany, it sits on our family room wall to remind us of "heaven on a hilltop."



The only entrance to our village



We parked the C3 outside the arched door of our villa with anticipation of what was behind the oak doors.

Our kitchen

We didn’t realize it at the time but that road, photographed and painted so many times, was the road that took us to our idyllic Monticchiello villa in the beautiful Val d’ Orcia.



The view from our bedroom window over looking the olive grove.

 Over the next few weeks on Wednesdays we’ll take you with us on what was a most memorable week for us.
Monticchiello is nestled between the larger hilltop villages of Montepulciano, Montalcino and Pienza. Siena and the towers of San Gimignano are only day trips away and some villages of Umbria are also close by. There’s so much to see and the week we were there wasn’t enough.

From the diary: Sue speaking

Saturday October 14, 2006.

Monticchiello is finally reached – Heaven in a hilltop village.

Barbara, the owner of our villa for the week seems a lovely person. I rang when we were lost, and with good humor she got us here. Very friendly and nice to our son Andrew.

The apartment is lovely, Andrew has his own bedroom and bathroom. The villa has been renovated with an eye to authenticity. The bench top, splash back and huge sink are travertine marble.

The colors amaze me. They are so soft that they look like they have been photographed through gauze. That is, except for the setting sun which is soooo orange.

An evening stroll in the village before coffee and port, and bed.

Our day finished early after the stresses, highs and lows of leaving Rome early that morning with our driver Fangio. It had been a very long day, highs being Ostica Antica (see last Wednesday’s post) and arriving at Monticchiello.

After a long day it was time to get a good night's sleep before a week of Tuscan discovery.

Banksy Graffiti - Critics Inside a Graffiti Art Pictures

Banksy Graffiti - Critics Inside a Graffiti Art Pictures

We already know how famous Banksy graffiti in a graffiti art. Especially among graffiti artists. Banksy graffiti found in the city of london. Character of Banksy graffiti is about how the picture made and with what purpose was created. Most of Banksy graffiti made to criticize the policies that do not conform with the conscience of the masses, where the policy is very harmful. Something like Banksy graffiti some are not like they even consider it an illegal thing. But still, many think that Banksy is a hero who always struggled with how. Struggling through a beautiful art without violence. I guess that's better....

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Banksy Graffiti - Adove of Peace Strapped with a Bulletproof Vest

Banksy Graffiti goes to the Holy Land

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Banksy Graffiti - Workers of the World Unite!

Banksy Graffiti - Workers of the World Unite!

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Mellow Yellow

This week has been a mellow yellow week with spring sprouting yellow every where I go.
It brought back memories of Donovan Lietch's Mellow Yellow. I was a bit of a Donovan fan back in the 60s. Think I might listen the Album again - now where is my turntable?

Donovan's 60s album cover - Mellow Yellow

As I came off the freeway I was hit with yellow flowers by the roadside.

And then as I drove to the office/warehouse the wattle trees were covered in yellow blossom.

Even the car park at work was yelling yellow at me.

And as I walked thru the front doors, I'm confronted by yellow again.

But it was Friday and we were about to embark on a weekend. What would our two days of rest offer. Sue is retired but she has recently employed as a relief teacher - it helps with our passion for travel.

Her form of relaxation is to invite friends for dinner and cook up a storm - mine is to ride my bike.

This weekend we both satisfied our passions. Sue invited friends Denise and Darren around for Pizza. They thought it would be "order in", but no, not with Sue. She loves to prepare her own from making the Pizza base to adding lots of great fillings.

Sue makes the pizza dough.

The ingredients - mushroom, pumpkin, peppers, zucchini and tomato with more to come.

Add some prosciutto, spinach, artichoke hearts covered with grated cheese.

And out of the oven ready to devour.

Sue's simple easy to prepare pizza with good company and good wine. Just a casual Saturday night.

My personal weekend was highlighted by being inducted into the Bayside Bandido, mid-life cycling gang's Lycra Legend select group. Now I need to say that this is a very select group of cyclist, we are all 60 plus.

My new Lycra Legends jersey.

http://baysidebandidos.blogspot.com/

This link to the Lycra Legend celebrations

And the close-up.

And that was our weekend - tell us about yours???

Banksy Graffiti - Is It Art Or a Vandalism ?

Banksy Graffiti - Is It Art Or a Vandalism ?

Many were asking about the Banksy graffiti, whether it is an art or vandalism. Banksy graffiti graffiti is a very famous in the world, Banksy graffiti in Bristol, UK a place where a lot of graffiti is created. Banksy graffiti art could be said of a mystery because many secrets about the information against him. Banksy graffiti created on the basis of an idea that there are external environment, Banksy graffiti made by criticizing any policy that is not appropriate such as in the political, cultural, economic and others. But many people ask of one thing. What is it? "Banksy Graffiti - Is it Art or Vandalism?" The answer depends on each individual judge. How do you react to it. According to those who like to graffiti and street graffiti artists. Banksy is a celebrated hero WHO Had street art transformed into a one-proper That demands and commands attention, respect and price today. And for the other would say it is vandalism. What do you think there would be this, art or vandalism?

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Mural Banksy Graffiti Street Wall From London

Mural Banksy Graffiti Street Wall From London

Graffiti is an art that has been widely known in the world. In the UK (London) there is an artist famous for graffiti art are filled with the nuances of humor. Graffiti artist named Banksy. Most topics of graffiti that he has made contact with the world of politics, culture and ethics. His street art is made with a Distinctive stenciling technique and graffiti writing. Works made is an expression of his heart, rather is an allusion to another person or group. You could say that made graffiti on a wall street is an article from his thoughts and emotions.

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....