Sunday again and a vision of REST!

We woke up this morning to another sunny prospect.  We did notice a couple of thin, wispy clouds which were gone by 9:30!

This is a blue sky!

There were a certain amount of stiff joints and muscles resulting from yesterday's escapades, so we agreed to try to slow down a bit......although we have said this regularly since we arrived, without much success!

First step today........another load of laundry!

Eleanor gave Andrea this beautiful plant from her studio.

Then we decided to take a look at the park around Villa Sciarra, which is very close to the Academy.  It is only a 5 minute walk.  We were not sure what to expect, as some people we met here.......and others in travel articles.....rave about the grounds.  Others, however, were less enthusiastic.  In the end, I think we agreed with the latter.  The park was once quite a magnificent place.  Now, unfortunately, it is a bit overgrown and in need of maintenance.  Still, it is heavily used and there is a great playground for the children.  There were also a lot of people picnicing.......and cooling their bottles of prosecco in the many fountains in the park.  The place was enjoyed for being quiet and a step away from the traffic and noise of the city. It was also a great place for walking dogs and riding bicycles!

On the way back we could not resist stopping at Bar Gianicolo for some coffee!  It has become our favorite hang-out.  It is a really great place to sit back and watch (and listen) as people come and go.

For lunch we had agreed to get together with Joe, Cathy and Donna.  Joe is the former Dean of the Law School at the University of Cincinnati, Cathy is his wife and Donna is the Director of Chesterwood in Stockbridge, MA (the homestead of the sculptor Daniel Chester French). We went close by in Monteverde to the Ristorante Scarpone (which sounds like something out of the Godfather!)  It is actually a very nice restaurant with a large terrace for outdoor seating.  It was a bit more crowded than we anticipated, but fortunately Joe had made a reservation.  The meal was quite good, but sitting under the ivy covered trellis on a beautiful Sunday afternoon....alone.... made it a wonderful experience.  We got back from lunch around 3:45!  Just in time for a Sunday Siesta!

Carciofo alla Guidia.......amazing!

Later in the afternoon (early evening) we spent some time in the studio.  It is a wonderful way to shift gears and change our pace.  We will miss this!

For dinner we decided to make sandwiches and have a picnic over on the back lawn.  It was another amazing evening........great temperature, beautiful setting sun and a remarkable sense of quiet.  There was another small group of families with children having a cook out which helped keep a sense of reality.  We had an unexpected opportunity to talk to Addie on the phone (with Alex at Russel's in the fairy garden).  It was really special to talk with her.

could not resist the sunset reflecting on our villa!

We are now winding down and talking about what to do tomorrow.  Another sunny day is forecast, which will make 17 in a row with exceptional sunny weather!  The prediction, however, is that clouds and some rain may move in on Tuesday.  We have been so lucky!