C5

Last week I was in the Cinque Terre on a gastronomic and walking expedition organized by Cousin Pam.  My goodness!  Pam and I drove through the Apennines to get to the Ligurian coast.  I had no idea Tuscany encompassed such awe-inspiring alpine scenery along with the rolling hills.  We saw the rugged quarries above Carrara, etc. and were almost hit by a falling boulder the size of David's head.  I ate a prodigious amount of fresh seafood in the C5 -- anchovies all ways! -- and did some strenuous and rewarding hiking with the delightful group of American women who signed up for Pam's terrific program.  I also met some romantic vintners and fascinating food artisans who are preserving old traditions -- from a very spry and talkative woman who still makes her "daily bread" (like crepes really) from the flour of the ubiquitous chestnut to a gentleman who still makes the distinctive wooden stamps to hand-emboss the local coin-shaped pasta.  I learned to filet a fish and stuff a mussel.  The view from my room in Levanto commanded a panorama not just of the Mediterranean but also of the radiant alps in the distance.  Stunning!