Happy 33rd Anniversary Gary and Peggy
Woke up at 6:30 and worked a bit. Sitting in a quiet bathroom in the dark with a computer on your lap is certainly an interesting approach.
County Walk with Gary
Gary and I went for a great walk at 8. He was going to whimp out, but I managed to get him up. Took about 50 minutes to make the full loop. Probably was close to three miles I would guess. Gorgeous terrain with a pretty big hill to climb.
Sumptuous Country Breakfast and Concabaia
For breakfast all four coupls/families staying here gathered around the huge farmhouse table and enjoying an amazing array of foods. Freash meets, cheeses, orange juice, coffee, yogurt, bread, even fresh ricotta.
The long, thin slices are one year old parmigiano.
Parmigiano Reggiano Production
Bruno took us right across the street from the farm to see where his milk is made into parmigiano reggiano cheese. The cheese maker in action hand crafting the cheese. Each cauldrom makes two wheels. As the cheese began to curd up we got to taste some of it. I think this is the same thing as squeeky cheese.
If I remember correctly each wheel sells for about $500.
We even go to go into the cheese vault. To see where all the precious cheese is stored.
The fire stamp of approval means it is real Parmigiano Reggiano.
In front of the cheese vault.
Heading out for the next food tour.
Prosciutto de Parma Production at La Perla with Silvia
Our next stop was several towns away up on a mountian side to La Perla to see how they make Proscuitto de Parma. This one cost 25 Euro each and included a light lunch. Silvia was our tour guide and Peggy figured that she was about 19. Turns out she is the only child of the owner. Apparently she also runs a bed and breakfast nearby. We later found out her favorite band is Slipknot. Go figure.
Gary scored a free Prosciutto de Parma hat from Silvia.
The light lunch. Notice hor the cheese is crumbled. Not sliced
The prosciutto with out the bones
Some Castello Somewhere
Christine just drove right up into the castle. Maybe she was supposed to park down below.
Filling up isn't easy as it looks. We were on our way to the Aceto balsamico tour.
Medici Ermete Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale Production
Bruno had also aarranged a tour in Reggio-Emilia to see how aceto balsamico is made in the traditional way. it is nothing like balsamic vinegar. Our wonderful guide was
Il Palio on Television
Can you believe it. We actually watched Il Palio on television before we headed out to dinner. It was a crazy start with one rider refusing to bring his horse to the starting line. They would all be lined up at the starting rope which is dropped when they all get there. Since he wa snot there, they would all have to circle out of the starting area and then start all over. The one guy finally snuck up to the line trying to get a jump on all the riders and then they were all off. it didn't work for him and he did not win. The race was actually quite amazing. One rider fell off and every thing.Some day Peggy and I will be there live. We know that Gary and Christine will not stand there that long.
The winning contrada
33rd Anniversary Celebration with Gary and Peggy at Vecchio Mulino
Once again we are delighted to find ourselves celebrating Gary and Peggy's anniversary with them in Italy. The restaurant was called Vecchio Mulino and was in an old restored mill with a rushing mill race and all. It was owned by an Italian and his Polish wife.
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