A Rainy Morning in Poggio
We awoke Wednesday morning to a wonderfully dark, rainy scene. The summit of the mountains was wreathed in clouds and mist and a gentle rain was falling. The hallways of the villa were rendered mysterious by the diminished light and the sound of the rain. After getting outside of a little brekkie we joined the throng in one of the rooms down the hall (the Chambers' chambers?) where we put in a little time helping to assemble a jigsaw puzzle representing Raphael's "School of Athens".
I don't remember whether anyone was able to check the local weather forecast but we fairly quickly became resigned to NOT attempting to plan any grand outing for the day. Paul and I decided to strike out on our own and explore Poggio in the rain.
Any written descriptions of our walk would be redundant to the pictures that I took that morning. The narrow streets, alleys, terraces and piazzas of Poggio were transformed by the weather. Rain dripped from the petals of the hydrangeas that spilled over the garden walls and darkened the colors of the stone and stucco walls of the buildings. Paul and I drifted aimlessly through the town, stopping briefly in the church and pausing to examine finds like an arched arbor of some sort of luscious hanging fruit and a large snail slowly making its way across the cobbles in one alley.
Patio Potluck
On the way back to the villa after our walk, we found the St. Pierre's enjoying a dip in the pool. Later that afternoon the weather cleared and the decision was made to collaborate on an improvised patio dinner. We each raided our stores for nibbles and drinks and came up with a quite impressive spread: bruschetta, olives, pasta, salad and wine. Tables and chairs were arranged on the patio and our entire group enjoyed our meal with the early evening light on the mountains as a backdrop.
After dinner we lingered outside and a round of toasts and group photos began. Many of our number put on their blue Elba shirts for the photos. I was very chuffed that the uniform was so adopted by the company.
The day ended much as it had begun with more conversation and the completion of the Raphael jigsaw. With the benefit of hindsight, the Rainy Day necessitated a much-needed pause in the rhythm of the week. I can now remember Poggio as a place in which I relaxed and reflected.
