Immersed

I'm really into my Italian stride now, fully settled into life here just when we'll be leaving in Wednesday. I feel relaxed, despite Mr FF spending the morning driving down to the builders yard and depositing about a dozen sacks of sand and gravel and cement at the back door for later use. I'm sleeping really well, at least 8 hours plus sometimes a little post luncheon nap. We had a great week, friends round to us for an al fresco lunch on Wednesday. Thursday we had lunch in Ostia Antica in a beautiful little restaurant right in the centre of the old part, gorgeous traffic free cobbled streets full of flowers and lounging cats, complete with a fairy tale castle, if only I'd take my camera. Prior to lunch we had a swim in the large pool at our friend's condominium, it's an amazing facility for the residents and their guests though we practically had the water to ourselves. Just a couple of adults ploughing up and down and some tiny tots who swam like dolphins and put us to shame. If I lived there I'd be at the pool most of the day, take my lunch, my book and my knitting I'd camp out under an umbrella, one of which the lifeguard offered to put up for us. So nice. Lunch was delicious, pasta with ricotta and peppers, a portion of herby chicken with crispy potatoes and tiramisu for me, served by a handsome young waiter who I felt compelled to flirt with. My seat at the window looked into the narrow street bedecked with geraniums and a strategically placed pink bicycle while the inside of the restaurant was equally beautiful with a brick vaulted roof and frescos. The scene was finished off by a table of three elegant older ladies who obviously knew how to lunch, dress and chat. Afterwards we went back to our friends apartment, he had a lie down and Mr FF took a snooze on a lounger on the balcony. I'd tell you more but there's a festa down in the village tonight, pasta and wine to celebrate the election of our new mayor and apparently we are invited. This is the second such celebration, intended for those who couldn't attend the first, but Mario our neighbour and his family are going again. Have a good weekend, we hear the UK weather is not bad at all so let's hope it lasts, a bit of sunshine might help me cope with the next change of country and culture. Post party note - not just pasta and wine, we also enjoyed sausages with fagioli and many delicious cakes. There was dancing and once again it was my duty to demonstrate the correct actions to YMCA. This new mayor certainly understands what's important, he gets my vote.