Tuscany: Pool Days and a Hike through the Vineyards

Back in the day, I would be able to sit quietly in the shade, sunblock carefully applied, maybe have a quick snooze, read a book or two... and really soak up this view. 

This time, I did none of those things!  Not that I should complain - the pool, and the garden surrounding it, were beautiful, and we managed to get Lola to play in it a few times, which was great.

This felt like the entrance to a garden out of a fairy tale...

Michael also took Lola to the pool every chance that he got.

 And despite my bellyaching and jetlag, Michael convinced me to go on a nice (and surprisingly strenuous) hike through the vineyards and olive orchards on the property on one of our first days there.

Can you see the house, which looks like a little toy in this picture, way up there?  We descended very far into the valley to see all the grapes.  The elevation changes here are dramatic, to say the least!

 

The soil here is fascinating - in some parts it seemed to be pure clay.

surveying the property

Without a doubt, a few things grow very well here as a result of the climate and soil!  Grapes... and olives.

 

 That said, everything seems to grow well here.  As we made our way back from the hike, we saw pear trees and apple trees, and in various parts around the property there were tomato plants, thyme, rosemary, and lemon trees flourishing.

Can you spot the single pear?  It's admittedly disguised very well.

As weird as it sounds, spotting fruits in their natural element may be one of my greatest joys.