Turning 50 in Umbria

Well it has happened ... Deb has successfully passed her milestone!

Here is the end of us singing "happy birthday" ...

WARNING ... if you have a tuned ear, this is not a pretty sound,

but it was a lovely end to a terrific day/evening.

Hopefully that gave you some sense of a very happy end to the wonderful dinner we had at Ristorante Erba Luna where our hosts graciously added the candle to Deb's dessert crepe. They were further accommodating shortly after this by providing us with a complimentary limoncello for the ladies and grappa for the men. We had decided the evening before that this was our pick of the ristoantes to date and we were definately not disappointed. And just to prove we did not over indulge here is a photo as we left ... not a legless tourist in sight ;-) ... as you can see age has not wearied Deb!

Leaving Ristorante Erba Luna

Now, that was the end of just a suberb day.

We awoke to the most beautiful clear still day with a blue sky that we are so used to back home. Deb had always wanted to go to Assisi so that was where we headed for the day ... and it proved to be all that I lamented the Vatican had not been in terms of a holy place that oozes the ssense of reverence and calm you might expect. For a setting for your 50th birthday Deb reckoned she could not have asked for or scripted anything better. So here are a few images to try to share her birthday experience with you.



Our first target - the highest
point Rocca Maggiore



A resucitation stop on the way
to Rocca Maggiore (with Rocca
Minore in the background)

 As I am sure you can appreciate we were indeed blessed with the weather - hardly a breeze and about mid-20s. Rocca Maggiore offered spectacular views across Assisi and the trek up was definately worth it (and not just for the breathers along the way!). The group shot below offers an excellent view of the Tevere river valley which Assisi overlooks.



 

Overlooking Bascilica
di S. Francesco from
Rocca Maggiore


 As you head back down, the expansive veiws are just gorgeous and it is really hard to choose photos to include to do justice to the natural beauty ... unfortuately we were not able to get a distant view of the whole hillside that is Assisi, but perhaps a google search on Assisi will offer such a view that is easy enough to check out.


 

Cattedrale di S. Rufino (left) and
Bascilica di S. Chiara (right)


We saw the relics and tombs of S. Chiara (Clare) and S. Francesco (Francis) ... the latter being in the main Bascilica di Francesco which actually is constructed on three seperate levels. It seems his remains were moved up to the orginally commissioned church which now serves as his tomb (the lower level). This now has two bascilicas built over it, the main and latest one with the magnificant frescos depicting his life. While there were many pilgrims passing through, the whole experience was very respectful and quiet and contemplative. It really was a sight to behold and experience.

Bascilica di S. Francesco
(upper level)

So, after a long day wandering around and taking in this holy town and actually feeling like pilgrims, we caught the local bus back down to get our cars and return for the celebratory dinner. We had a one final visit at the end of the bus trip ... Bascilica di S. Maria Degli Angeli which is the original resting place of S. Francesco. No photos allowed, but it was another holy experience and I stumbled on a Benediction service in a side chapel (not experienced since school ... surprised I could remember) complete with nuns and monks singing.

It is with a view of this Bascilica that we will leave you for this post ... for Deb (and all of us) a wonderful day and a joy for her to celebrate such a significant milestone - it was a treat to be part of. Until our nex update ... arrivederci.