I don't even know where to begin ... last night perhaps, when Alessandra organised a dinner for a few of her friends and I was invited along. It was outstanding.
Donatella Soranzio sang, with Luciano Susto on bass guitar, and they were sublime. I felt so very fortunate to be there listening. Video by Federico will follow, as it was he who packed his camera and filmed events as they unfolded but they are on youtube as Susto e Soranzo. And you will see, it was one of those 'pinch me, I'm dreaming' moments, there at Stefano Di Bert's exquisite restaurant called Pacetti Antica Ostaria.
And Stefano ... what a host. He brought out plate after plate of truly divine food, accompanied by the loveliest of wines ... so many divine wines that came along on that gastronomic journey. Food and wines from both Friuli and Liguria. Stefano, Alessandra, Federico, and Donatella are all from the Friuli region.
1.30am saw Stefano, Barbara, and Alessandra walking me back through quiet city streets to my apartment. This morning, I have to admit that I woke, and lay very still ... checking for hangover damage. It turns out, the story is true, there is no hangover with good wine and believe me, we had had a lot of very very good wine.
It was one of the most enjoyable evening's I've had in a long time.
Today I had appointments all over the city, ending with a Napoli pizza at my favourite pizzeria on Via Ravecca.
Actually, yesterday I also had lunch with Francesca. 'The' Francesca from Le Gramole. We laughed often but the dish below, the Troccoli, that made us laugh most of all because I told her of New Zealand's Huhu Grubs ...
I have eaten a Huhu Grub and if you clicked on the link you will have seen why I might have found my Troccoli slightly disconcerting.
I'm too tired to write of everything, although I must add that I also had the pleasure of meeting Sibilla Iacopini. And I'm enjoying this new apartment in another part of the city. I'm top floor, with a small balcony and french doors that I open each morning as a way of beginning the day.
I'll take some photographs when my days stop spinning but really ... I love the spinning.