Bread Trip and Agritourism

We've picked out the bread recipe and went shopping for the ingredients.  That's a metaphor for, in reality, we've found the Bread School in Italy and we've committed to attending next year!  Agritourism at its best!  I went out on a limb and contacted, via email, the dude who runs the school.  He's the one, who in a previous email, signed off with "...In haste, bread on the go!"  He is from Great Britain.

I introduced myself as the non-participant wife referred to in spouse-man's application - the one who gets to come along and entertain myself in Tuscany and dine on their bread, dinner and wine in the evenings.  One of the challenges in trying to find said entertainment such as local festivals, music events or even art classes is that many websites are in Italian - go figure.  And I am an "off the beaten path" kinda gal.  I probably won't post a picture of us in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa with a gazillion other tourists milling about.  Thus the email to In haste-Man.  He responded immediately (must have picked a good time considering our time difference) with a plethora of information, names and even a suggestion to link myself up with another non-participating wife from South Africa!  He further suggested that, since this estate where the bread school is located is a working estate (think olive trees and vineyards and horses), I may find enjoyment in riding horses.  Ya think?  Envision this:  hillsides covered with vineyards and a lazy stroll bareback on a horse, with a basket hanging over its shoulders and a grand picnic lunch consisting of local cheeses...and yes, fresh bread.  I told spouse-man I am leaving now and maybe, just maybe I'd pick him up at the airport next year.

I can feel that wanderlust building inside.  It's been a while since we've been on a long trip - other than, say, a road trip to Florida to deliver a sportscar.  And I am grateful to have the freedom to even consider such a trip.  To even think, wow, it's been two and a half years since a "real" vacation...some people don't get one - can't afford one.   And at what point do you consider something affordable?   When everyone and everything else is completely taken care of ? - when you can leave the house with the broken vent that squirrels are crawling in and out of in your attic and have peace when you are spending mucho dollars to go bake bread in a beautiful foreign country?  Man, I struggle with that stuff.

Meanwhile, I'll keep my fan club updated with pre-trip tidbits, and if you're lucky we'll have a party when we come back where spouse-man provides the fresh bread.

Comments

[Rob]

Bread school -very cool! Do you think that there is an ice cream school somewhere in the world?

[Scott]

May I please, for the love of all that's good, be invited to your fresh bread party?

I love fresh bread - especially when someone else bakes it.

I promise not to embarrass you or do anything stupid. I'll sit quietly in the corner stuffing my face. I don't even have to come in - just toss some bread out the window.

PLEEEASE!!

[Tulip Girl]

I am with Scott!

[Stephanie]

Me too. We can have a little "outside the window" party if we all get too raucous and you can just toss some out every few minutes... will that work?