Monday, 10th June  -  Pienza
Well, the day dawned bright and clear but Peter did not. I know that cough and it leads to trouble. What a shame. He did all this in Ireland 4 years ago, so really has no need to repeat the performance. However, we had no choice but to stick him on a seat on his own in the coach, strap him in and carry on regardless.

Remember the movie 'Tea with Mousilini'? That was set in San Gimignano which was our first stop today. It has a population of 7,000 and is famous for its towers which were a means of showing the wealth of the property owners. "Mine's taller than yours ". It is also the home of a magnificent piazza. After a very steep climb up the hill, (Peter found that hugely challenging), we were treated to gelato from the Gelateria Dondoli which proudly sported many awards on its front entranceway.  There was a long queue but as a tour group we enjoyed priority treatment. Funnily enough there was another larger gelateria on another side of the square professing to make the best gelato in the world but noone was in the shop.

After a short bus ride we pulled in to Fattoria San Donato for an explanation of his winemaking skills and then were treated to a Tuscan lunch including homemade bread, a variety of olive oils, a salami selection,  bread and mozzarella cheese, a platter of olives. Oh, and red and white wine. All the other members of the group bought gift boxes of wine, but we feel NZ wines are totally satisfactory.  Anyway, Peter was too unwell to partake of the lunch let alone buy wine.

The bus trip for the next hour was extremely quiet punctuated only by gentle snoring until we reached Siena with its population of 53,000. It is one of the 58 UNESCO sites in Italy famed for its cathedral which was built in the 12th century. It is considered the most ornamented in Europe. It required a very steep long walk through the narrow winding streets which were very hot with the brutal crowds of tourists. This proved too much for Peter, so we hailed a taxi which took him back to the shade and peace and quiet of the bus. Much to my surprise, our guide insisted on looking after Peter while I went to the Cathedral. Oh, my goodness. I can see why. Is this my favourite? Judging from the number of photos, it just could be. I was very grateful to Mario for his care of the situation thus giving me the opportunity to see this magnificent piece of architecture.

Another hour's drive we climbed 500 meters above sea level to the incredible accommodation  booked for us in the 15th century Franciscan Covent which was restored in 1993. The Covent is beside the 13th century San Francesco church and is a good central point from which to view Siena, Frienze, Arrezzo, Perugia, Assissi, and Orvieto. The town has the usual array of superb cuisine, but I really felt Peter needed vegetable soup (for which the waiter brought knife and fork) followed by a nice quiet vanilla gelato.  As for me, vino bianco, wild boar stew and gelato just to check its suitability for Peter, you understand.

We're now settled in our vast 3 roomed suite and 4 poster bed into which Peter has sunk and floated off to dreamland. Let's hope he is vastly improved in the morning. There is too much fun organized for him to be poorly.