The People - Cenno May 2010

The People

Denzil, Mia, Raph, Al, Grant, Andy

Theo, Inaki, Wendy, Rosemary

There were 10 of us staying at Cenno, including the hostess Rosemary, two of her sons Denzil and Raph, Denzils wife Mia and cousin Theo, along with myself (Andy), Raphs girlfriend Al, Wendy, Grant and Inaki. 

Denzil

Grant

Raph

Andy

One of his Italian relatives below. Not sure I am liking the translation.

Rosemary

Denzil and Grant at Bagni San Filippo

Al & Raph at Bagni San Filippo

Inaki at Bagni San Filippo

Grant - hey your smiling :)))))))

Mmmmm the scorpion is going to get you

Al - feeling good now she has her mojo

Theo - May not have been cycling , but he was with us in spirit.

Denzil and Inaki

Mia and Inaki

Waiting for lunch - Wendy on the right in her shades.

Beautiful evening on the terrace.

Dinner outside at Cenno early one eve.

Al, Raph and a bottle of beer

G&T on the terrace and a bowl of Pistachio Nuts.

Theo walking down to dinner.

Waiting for Raph on way to Monte Amiato

Rosemary (our amazing host) and Denzil.

Inaki - speeding through the forests and managing to stay in his bike.

Raph reaching 10mph 

Inaki and his tulip antenna. (We managed to photograph him while he was sat in front of a vase),

Some bits and bobs

Asterix and a loo roll.

Fir cones in the back of the tractor.

A big cock

The old tractor.

A sundial on the studio wall.

With Thanks
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Raph for organising what was a fantastic trip and Rosemary for being a wonderful and generous host and for allowing us strangers into her home and life. It was a real pleasure staying at Cenno and something we will never forget. I would like to thank Mia and Raph for letting me use some of their photos.

Day 6 - The Final day - Climb up Monte Amiata

Grant and I decided to miss the thermal spa trip and head up the mountain for our last day of riding. It seemed like a good idea at the time (though Grant would have rather been drinking G&T by the pool), but feelings were to change.

You still taking photos of me?

I will talk to you later Andy, at the moment just in case you hadn't realised I am climbing a hill.

Ooops - no helmet - well it was getting hot and sweaty under there.

Does my bum look big in this?

About 6km from the top the clouds came down along with a nice drizzle.

Grant approaching the summit

At the summit - the cafe was closed , so all those thoughts of a nice hot drink at the top were quashed.

On the way down the roads were covered in fallen leaves, the rain was pelting down, it was bloody cold and i couldn't keep my wheel still - i was shaking like a leaf. It was very cold and horrible.

Once home we dumped the bikes and it was a long soak for me. Rosemary kindly brought me a cup of tea which i enjoyed in the bath - relieved that we had got back in one piece and grant had not throttled me.

Day 4 - Trip to Siena

Early morning cycle first and up and out by 7am.

I decided to go out for a short early morning spin as this was our rest day and i wanted to at least touch my pedals once. I just cycled down the hill and then up what was a surprisingly steep hill - slightly more knackering than i had bargained for.

Steep hill looking across to Monte Giovi.

Looking across to Cenno

My bike taking a rest at the top of the steep hill

Siena

Only one hour’s drive from Cenno lies the rose-coloured city of Siena. Famous for its controversially striped marble cathedral, soaring towers, huge shell-shaped Campo (piazza). Legend has it that the city was founded by Senius, son of Remus, resulting in wolf symbolism in the oldest parts of town, with its nine different terracotta-coloured parquet segments, dignified town hall with surging tower – the Torre del Mangia and numerous cafes – the stage of the annual performance of the city’s greatest drama – the Palio.

http://www.cennotuscany.com/vicinity/siena.html 

They don't make them like this anymore.

The car park was inspiring.

Hey look at my feet.

Nice abstract and a nice change form the normal photo.

Grant and Inaki by the Duomo

Raph and Al by the Duomo

Wendy relaxing , yes you have guessed it, by the Duomo.

Wendy and Inaki in the Piazzo Del Campo.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Knobs, Knockers.

More Knobs and Knockers.

Great one raph - cinquecentotastic

Another grumpy old bloke

Smile guys while i look at myself in this mirror.

Don't look so sad Inaki - you haven't fallen off your bike yet. :)

Wendy - Is this good for you?

Hey, it's Grumpy Gelati

.

The Gelatis :)))))))  It just had to be done and no we are not a group.

Al, Me, Wendy and Inaki in the middle of the Piazzo Del Campo.

Inaki and Andy walking sideways down to the Piazza Del Campo