Still in Assisi

12th March
I don't seem to be able to use the blog. I think it's because this computer doesn't have Google desktop application. BTW if anyone doesn't want to receive messages just let me know.
I can access my email using my home address so you can just reply as usual. Thanks for the replies. It is good to get them.
I'm still enjoying Assisi and decided to stay the extra days instead of going to Perugia.
yesterday have been gorgeous Spring days and I was able to start stripping the layers off. I even had to roll up my sleeves today.
I have been visiting neighbouring hill towns yesterday and today. I catch the train but first I must catch the bus from the hill town of Assisi down to the station at St Maria del Angelo, that's about 15 minutes away. Yesterday I went to Spello the next station on the line and today Bevegna which involved catching the train one more stop to Foligno and then a bus.
Both were of course divine. I had a beautiful bowl of pea soup at a Ristorante in Spello. That was the first ristorante I have been to. I usually order a panini or similar at a bar. just imagine many Brunellos as in Carlton. Prices are about the same. Ristorantes are more formal and also more expensive. Anyway the bars are great. My local bar where I am now using the Internet is very 'cool'. They play jazz music - it sounds like a modern version of Ella Fitzgerald.
I've been able to easily walk out into the countryside surounding the towns. It's a familiar landscpe - lots of olive groves and vines.
Often artichokes are planted between the olive trees or vines. The farmers are busy ploughing the soil for summer crops. Broad beans are growing fast. Fruit trees are in blossum. It's probably about the equivalent of September in Victoria. I can see a Tuscan garden design happening when I return. Today I made friends with a dog. I haven't thought much about Sam, but don't tell him that. If he was an Italian dog he could travel by train.
The Franciscan friendliness seems to permeate the area. It's nice to return to a friendly welcome at my temporary home.
On Sunday I walked quite a few kms up a steep hill to the Eremo Carcero another monastery where Francis frequented. I've been taking lots of pics, but haven't been able to work out how upload them to my Zenfolio site. Nearly lost my camera yesterday. it fell out of my pocket at a Duomo, but fortunately a man who was working there found it. There is a lot of restoration work going on in the churches and streets. Heavy machinery looks a bit out of place in a mediaval town.
Well that's all for now.
On Thursday I go to Cortona.
Speak soon
Gerri