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~ Jim's reflections ~
Last May, during my investigations for our Aromas of Italy tour, I
experienced some wonderful off-the-beaten-path adventures including a
visit
to a beautiful unspoilt village, deep in the foothills of the Apennine
ranges.
I was first taken to a restored 12th century water mill in the nearby
forest
which was a labour of love for 3 families and now fully operational. My
hosts proudly showed all the workings from the water turbine to the mill
room and the authenticity of their work and attention to detail was
stunning. My father was an antique dealer and French polisher so I
have a
great love and appreciation of fine craftsmanship.
I was shown the mill in full production making hazelnut flour which was
fascinating, however, it was as I stood alone looking at the forest,
smelling
the resinous air, listening to the rumbling of wooden gears and the rush
of
flowing water that I found myself transported in time and realized that
I
was experiencing a scene just as it had been in the 12 century.
That evening I found myself travelling with the mayor up into the hills
above the town on a winding road that after a while turned from
black-top to
gravel. We continued on through the dark night with not a single light
to be
seen except our headlights and the star lit sky.
Finally after 30 or 40
minutes we turned a bend and down in the valley way below us, I saw the
lights of what appeared to be a solitary house.
When we arrived with great smiles from the mayor and my wonderful host
in
Emilia Romagnia, Atilio, I was informed that we were in fact at a
hunting
lodge and that I was in for a great treat. My, Oh My, what a night it
most
certainly was!
The lodge was full of country folk from all the areas around and we
joined
in for a meal that will go down as one of my most memorable ever, with
plate
after plate of fresh home made pastas, fresh mushroom risotto, venison
steaks cooked on the open hearth by a rascally looking chap in a chef's
hat,
all marinaded in laughter and smiling faces and washed down with the
wonderful local vino rosso.
For the final act to the evening, we headed our gladdened hearts for
home
under the kind of starry sky you only see way out in the countryside,
until,
half way back we stopped, and to my delight, there before us were fields
full of fire flies twinkling back at the night sky. Bellissimo!
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