After a road trip through France and a few days staying at a wonderful airbnb.com apartment on Lake Orta, we arrived at our next house/pet sit in the Umbrian Region of Italy (close to the border of the Tuscan region).
We were greeted by Mama G (as the owner is affectionately known) and her two very excited dogs, Lady and young Vinnie. Lady is the older of the two and mum to Vinnie.
Lady is thought to be a cross Marimarna and retriever. She was, a sort of stray who adopted the owners. She had been living at the farm below. A very gentle, chilled relaxed “lady”.
Vinnie is one of her puppies born on Christmas Day(!) The day Lady arrived at the Casa! He is Mama G’s baby, a gorgeous soft dog, very loving and has a way of wrapping you around his little paw.
They were both well behaved, love walking but equally like to be spoilt and relax. They are very protective of the Casa and loved to sit on the walls over looking the grounds, like to sentries on guard. Wow betide any passing wild boar or porcupines…..they would soon see them off!
The “Casa” we were looking after comprised of 3 separate dwellings set in 10 acres of beautiful grounds, with woodland and hillside walks. The owners let the property out either individually or to larger parties.
Prior to our arrival we had been asked if we would mind if one of the dwelling was rented to a young couple on honeymoon for a few days. After discussions we agreed to this, as there was not really much for us to do with regards to their stay.
This was definitely a 5* property and for us an amazing 5* house/pet sit!
All the dwellings were beautifully decorated to a very high standard. We hade been invited to stay in the Main House. A seemless blend of modern, contemporary furnishing set in an renovated Italian Farmhouse. The lighting throught the home was magnificent. Lots of areas inside and outside for relaxing, including a beautiful lounge with wood burner. The kitchen dining area was quite simply stunning with high ceilings and a mezzanine floor above that provides an additional place to relax. The kitchen fully equipped with everything you could possibly need....Tom could not wait to start cooking!
The Casa also had an amazing swimming pool with panoramic views over the beautiful Umbrian countryside, plenty of sun loungers with comfortable cushions, a BBQ, wet bar ( howvere, we were on diets after visiting friends and family in UK). A wonderful place chill out during the day or watch the sunset with a glass of wine (OK we allowed ourselves one glass!!) as you dine alfresco under the stars.
This “Casa” is a very special place…a real slice of Italian Heaven!
Mama G is a wonderful character. A petit lady with a big personality and bags of energy! She clearly has an eye for design and this shows in her beautiful home. She adores her dogs, her garden and her fashions too, not to mention her cooking. We arrived mid-afternoon and after a cup of tea, she immediately made us welcome and proceeded to show up around the Casa and some of the grounds surrounding the house. We took the dogs on their evening walk down the hill via the veggie plot (to pick up fresh tomatoes, courgettes, chilli’s and green beans…the produce in season). Then it was up hill all the way back to the house! Tom and I were pretty sure the pasta and gelato’s we’d enjoyed prior to our arrival where now not such a good idea after that climb!!
Next day up early as the temperatures were predicted to be in the mid 30’s, we started our morning walk….UPHILL! This is serious hill walking terrain. Rock and boulders under foot and to add to the mix it had rained so the paths were very slippery and muddy to boot! We rambled on upwards and upwards to the half way stop, high on the hilltop. A quick breather and a snack for the dogs and then it was back along the track and yes thanks goodness DOWNHILL most of the way. Mama G was as sure footed as a mountain goat and made light work of the rock climb, meanwhile Tom and I looked more like a pair of water buffalo on ice skates!
Oh and not to mention the horse flies! These pesky flying preditors, coming complete with a full set of teeth that could bite through fabric! Sustaining several nasty itchy bites on the first day, we decided to revert to our Aussie ways and armed ourselves with large swat stick (i.e. branches with lots of leaves) and beat our way through the swarming pests. This seemed to work well and certainly made the walk more enjoyable.
For both Tom and I it was a real wake up call. Our fitness levels being really tested to the full and unfortunately found wanting. Still we both felt that this was a fantastic opportunity to get back on track and these walks would be just what we needed. Along with some gentle swimming exercise in the fantastic pool, this was also THE PLACE, to cool off after the walking!.
The 10 days past very quickly indeed and we really enjoyed our time in the beautiful Umbrian area. The dogs were great to be around and very easy to look after. Our fitness levels return too and the walks became a lot easier. Our diet was rich in the local produce including lots of fresh vegetables (some from the veggie plot…they don’t come much freshier than that) and not quite so much pasta or gelatos!
During our stay we explored just a little around the area and two places of note have got to be the town of Perugia (visit the Old Town) and Assisi (where Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint of Italy, was born), well worth the trip to see the Basilica and to wander through the street and visit some of the quaint little specialty and gift shops. We also enjoyed wandering around the local markets at Umbertide and their fiesta market (which our visit just happen to co-inside with).
We picked Don G and Mama G up at the airport and then spend a couple of extra days with them. A wonderful, warm, funny and very hospitable couple who’s company we really enjoyed. On the last evening they took us out to a local favourite restaurant of theirs and brought sumptuous meal accompanied by some very nice Italian wine. A huge thank you to both of them. We had the most amazing house/pet sit, at a very special place, with great people and great animals. I think we have made some wonderful new friends along the way.