Andiamo a Bogliasco

Another good night's sleep.......with a wake up around 3.......pushed our dozing until almost 9:30 today!  This is either a good or a bad habit......but in any case we had to move quickly to make it to breakfast by 10:30.  The weather was continuing its temperamental character, with periods of brightness and then crazy rain and downpours.  As the morning advanced, however, we were encouraged by more and more sunshine.

We checked out at 11:00 and got our Google directions lined up for the Autostrada and points north.  As it turned out, we were able to go almost the entire way to Bogliasco on major highways.  The trip was almost 4 hours duration, but the travel went smoothly.......with some scenic views of the Tuscan hills overtaken by rain and clouds.  We stopped for lunch and gas outside Pisa, and as we turned off for Recco and Bogliasco, the sky turned blue and the rain vanished.

From Cinque Terre and Sestri Levante heading north on the Autostrada, the road was familiar.  It was nice to be in familiar territory (no need for Google!).  We arrived at Villa dei Pini around 3:30.  At the gate, Rita immediately leaned out the window and recognized us.....and the gate opened.  Ivana and Valeria joined Rita in coming out to welcome us.  We parked the car and lugged our crazy bags up to the room. 

The entire third floor has been renovated with new studio rooms being reconfigured.  Ours has a great location with wonderful views.  We settled in a bit and I went back down to the office to sign in and make copies of our passports.  It was nice to talk more with Ivana and Valeria......and say hi to the three golden retrievers!

Also good to hear was that Robin Hemley and his wife Margie had just arrived this afternoon.  Robin is a short-story writer from Iowa that we became good friends with during our last stay. 

We did a bit of unpacking then had a short rest before heading down the hillside to walk through the gardens.  The sun was fully out and the views were amazing......so wonderful to be back here again. 

We changed for dinner and headed down for aperitivos at 7:00, also connecting with Mia Westerlund (a Cuban sculptor from New York) and Robin and Margie.......and eventually Ann and  Robert Diener.  Ann is an artist and they are from Santa Barbara.  Lots and lots of talk over prosecco and a nice dinner after.......with none other than Danilo serving us......one of the nicer house staff we met during our last trip. We retired briefly to the salon for coffee and grappa before heading up to try to catch up on the blog!

More tomorrow!