Cetona

It took four train trips and most of the day but we arrived safely in Cetona which is located in the Tuscany area. We are staying 4 weeks here so we have plenty of time to visit other areas.we were fortunate to be picked up from the train by Linda an American woman who arranges the renting of the apartment for Maria as she doesn't speak any English. Linda is a wealth of information and filled us in on things as we drove along to the town which is about 7k from train station. The town is an ancient town with a medieval fortress surrounded by walls with steep twisting streets which lead to the Rocco castle.

When we arrive at our apartment we are gob smacked to see the interior looks like part of the castle. It has two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, study, lounge/dinning room and a terrace which has just been completed off from the second bedroom. We are up high with a beautiful view from every window over the town. We start to feel like a king and queen with the neighbouring villa owned by Valentino Garavani the designer. He's not here at the moment but you never know our luck. Cetona is the most beautiful and clean town we have visited so far. It's quiet and in the mornings you can hear the birds singing and the school bell chiming out the hour. The sport bar (bars in Italy are cafes) looks like an expensive restaurant with staff dress immaculately in white and black but when we go to pay for our two cappuccino and two cakes was just 4 euros which is very cheap.

Piazza Garibaldi is in the centre of town with shops and restaurants located around he square. People gather here at various times to meet up with friends although our walks have shown that people will find any place that is in the sun to sit and chat.

We have done some good walks around the town, to neighbouring town Sarteano which was a 16k round trip and to the monastery Saint Francesco which dates back to 1212. We hope to get a tour in the monastery next week if it is open.

It's still a bit cold in the late afternoons so we have been given some wood to use in the open fire. We have had two fires with additional kindle coming from our walks in the countryside.