Off the grid for a few days

The internet is truly a powerful tool. It connects me to all of you, and through this blog I've met incredible people, both through emails and in person. Our latest adventure came about through a series of messages on the internet, when I responded to a request made in an online group I belong to for someone who might be interested in house sitting for a few days. One thing led to another and in under an hour of chatting, I was booking train tickets to LeMarche. 

Mike and I will be way off the grid, but with internet connection this time. We'll be spending the week at a lovely villa up in the hills in the LeMarche region of Italy, an area we have not yet been to.  While we'll be without a car, we're still hoping to be able to get out and explore a bit. 

So- the adventure begins today. We board a train right after lunch for Bologna, then transfer trains to Porto S. Giorgio-Fermo arriving around 7 pm. 

 

We're going to be up in the hills, somewhere a bit above Fermo. From the photos we've seen, the area is just gorgeous. Of course, my camera is going along in the suitcase with me! We're planning on some quiet, peaceful days. Hopefully we'll both get some writing done.  We've just returned from a 12 day cruise on a mega-ship along with 3500 passengers which was anything but quiet, so this will be a welcome treat for us for a few days! 

Happy San Valentino day to you all! 

December "Firsts"

So far this month, I've had several firsts. No, I'm not talking about the first day of December.

1)...there was the first panettone of the 2013 season

Panettone is a cross between a bread and a cake, more bread-like though, and comes in two standard versions - classico (with raisins and candied fruit) or without. My personal favorite is with the fruit. Every grocery sells a large selection of brands, and each pastry shop makes them. It wouldn't be Christmas without panettone.

2)  - My first sighting of Babbo Natale

Babbo Natale ( otherwise known as Santa ) doesn't come down the chimney here in Venice like he would in the United States. No, he climbs in through a window. This time of year you will see Babbo Natale make his appearance on balconies and the iron work surrounding windows. This guy is the first one I've spotted.  Just might go on my annual Babbo Natale hunt in a few days to see how many I can find in my neighborhood.

3) - the first Acqua Bassa 

Acqua Bassa is "low" water, meaning a very unusual low tide. Typically it's this time of year we are all on the look out for the high water, Acqua Alta. Instead, over the last few days we've seen very low water in the canals. It's always strange to see so many steps visible on days like these. Not what we're used to at all

4- first sighting of fur coats out for the season

It's officially winter, and that means the fur coats are out in force. They are worn to go to the market every morning, to walk the dog, or even to take out the trash. Everyone wears them. In every color, style, and length imaginable.

5- My first close up photo of this bird, probably an egret. 

I first spotted this guy in the vicinity of the Ca'Rezzonico vaporetto stop over the summer months. Every time I tried to snap a photo, he flew away.  The other day, he was perched on a pole at the Sant'Elena vaporetto, and let me get just a few feet from him, enough to get a few pictures.

                       

What "firsts" have you had recently?  Share them with me, please. Can't wait to compare notes.