By Bike

We farewell the spectacular pale mountains, and head south to the beautiful hilly Chianti region of Tuscany.

A week in a delightful old villa near Gaiole in Chianti. Six of us for a few days, then five. The pool set and the cycling set.

Sampling the wonderful fresh produce, cheeses and wine. Day trips to Siena and San Gimignamo. Early morning rides through the soft rolling hills.

I had this image of Tuscany being all olive groves, vineyards, terracotta roofs. Rows of pencil pines lining laneways to medieval castles.

As stunningly beautiful as expected. However I wasn’t prepared for the majesty of the forest.

Extensive and enchanting tracts of pine, oak and chestnut dominate the landscape. A thick understorey of shrubs. Vine, moss and lichens on the north shaded slopes. A family of wild boar, 6 piglets and sow cross the road in front of us. Another day two small deer…