#umbrellapines

[derekmasselink]

It’s taken 12 years but yesterday our visit to our old place - #HopeBayFarm on #PenderIsland - was rewarded by finding a number of mature cones on our #umbrellapines, the seeds of which came from the small town of #Corniglia in #cinqueterre. In 2006 @mmasselink2018 and I were given an opportunity to participate in a @slowfood_international event in #Turin. Following the event, we spent 7 wonderful days exploring the #liguriancoast. We returned to our farm on Pender with a few precious seeds in our pocket which my father successfully germinated. We planted them along one of the fence lines. Now almost 13 years later those seedlings have produced their first crop of seeds and seedlings - which we hope to plant on our new farm - #ultreiafarm - in the coming year. #verycool (at Chemainus, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B50wc0plQvN/?igshid=1t46aqwor6s0x

[stonehouseartifacts]

Back to the countryside of Toscana . . . . . . . #toscana #umbrellapines #campagna #countryside (at Colleoli) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqFTTbkHnGZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gy6ai4v0d719

[thekentmonologues]

Scramble to the Colosseum

The car rental drop off was easier than expected but when we made our way to the arrivals level of the Fiumicino we were directed to a limousine that turned out to be a private driver. NOTE: don’t make this mistake. They promised a lower price for the drive back, but it was a scam. Just say “no” people. 

Our hotel in Rome is the Hotel Lancelot, a Rick Steves recommendation, good location, quiet, friendly staff, and luckily right next to the Colosseum and the Forum.

This picture shows the trees mentioned earlier, the beautiful umbrella pines. We had “skip the line” tickets purchased on the Tiqets app but unfortunately we missed our timed entry for the Colosseum. We were, however, allowed into the Forum and wandered the site in wonder and awe.