Spain 20,

Oct. 10, 2026,

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday, I was up at 3:30 am to have a quick shower and take my previously arranged Uber to the airport. On awakening, my first email informed me that my plane to Rome would take off 2 hours late. Nevertheless, I was asked to be at the airport at the usual time to check in and then wait around. I did as told and had a very early breakfast at a cafe in the airport. Rome airport is located 30 min from Terminal Romani the Rome train station. I already had my train ticket from Rome to Chiusi so it was just a matter of getting to the train station on time. While riding in the local train from the airport to the train station, I realized that I would not make the train on time. I was able to change the ticket for a ticket 2 hours later. I arrived on the platform 1 minute late, just in time to see the first train leaving. Luckily I had my new ticket in hand.

I took the train from Rome to Orte to Chiusi. I had informed my friend Rob of the change and he was there to meet me. The drive to Rob and Yannick’s house located in beautiful Tuscany took about 3/4 hr. I have not been in Tuscany for over 15 years and I had forgotten how beautiful the scenery is. Tuscany has rolling hills populated with small towns. The countryside is dotted with olive trees and vineyards. The road to their house winds through small hills and valleys, perfect motorcycle country. I will think of this on my next trip.

I met Y and R about 35 years ago when they were living in Montreal. Y is a painter and we have several of her paintings hung in our house. R was a CEO of a large international corporation and has been retired for many years. We kept contact with each other over the years through emails and photos. They have 6 children including twins and 10 grandchildren. Y and R bought this house about 15 years ago. The house which is of mansion size was built in the 15th century. It remained in the original family’s possession for generations until the owner lost the house and property in a card game. The house changed hands many times and was even turned into a hotel. It then lay dormant for many years until Y and R bought it. The house is a perfect size for the family when they all get together for Christmas and other occasions.

The house had a very serious renovation which was supervised by Y. I have never been in a house like this. The ceilings are 4 meters high. There are 9 bedrooms as well of course, a living room, dining room, kitchen and several studies and libraries. There is a deep, well stocked wine cellar. The 6 hectare property has a vineyard and olive trees which are almost ripe enough to harvest. The house overlooks a hilly country sidc with neighbours few and far between. A village is however close by.

After lunch, Rob took me on a tour of Tuscany eventually arriving at Sienna. We parked the car and took an escalator several flights up to the old city. The city was built in the Middle Ages and is walled for protection. The streets are of course cobble stoned and narrow. There were many Italian tourists present but almost no foreigners. We wandered around the streets for a while with Rob acting as my tour guide. He is a history buff and is very knowledgeable about the region. The ancient Etruscans lived in this region 3000 years ago until they were conquered by the Romans and disappeared. We eventually visited the Duomo, a beautiful cathedral where a cardinal is in residence. The walls of the cathedral are adorned with paintings many of which have been refurbished. We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking the famous plaza where once a year there is a horse race with about 20 horses that race around the plaza which was built on a slant for water drainage. It seems to be reasonably dangerous.

Love,

Brian