Heading 130km North

Heading 140km north to Rossano, still in Calabria and a few more days R n R before our next cooking adventures.

To our right we look out over Golfo di Taranto and the towards Gallipoli as in the one on the southwest point of the heel of Italy.
 

Destination a 17th century country house that has been in the same family since built.

 

 

 Perched on a hill over looking 100 hectares of olive grove with some trees dating back 500 years 

 

From the pool you look out over Golfo di Taranto

 The central hall is all so Italian country house, going to love it here.
High timber beam ceilings, stone arches, honed marble floors and the antiques bliss.

We are here for some timeout and to take in the 1st olive walk!

140 groves from all over Italy, simultaneous will do a walk to promote the ancient country houses and their olive oil groves as well as their products. 

 

 

The mayor was there to open the event and we got a little Italian welcome for being the token Australians.

 

We were made so welcome by all and what a great Italian day walking through the ancient grove.
22 deg but for southern Italian that mean parker weather.

 

 

 The tree are traditional space 10m so loads of air flow for the majestic tree to strive over the centuries

 

Not sure if anyone is able to get the video to work as it wont play on the I Pad so let me know

Looking back from the olive grove to the country house

After the walk we had an array of oils to taste, wow so many to try and so many different flavours.

 

Checked out the houses library with over 6000 books dating back to the 1650's.

 

 

Marko the heir apparent, not a bad start to life!!!

He was such a gentleman and we felt like one of the family strolling the estate with him.

 

 

Loving the structural beams! always want to know how thing are built.

Their own chapel as the county house, up until 1960's was run like a small village, with Marko's parent overseeing the workers.

 

Marko with some of the priests beautiful robes still in the cupboards, the church today is not accepted by the Vatican so it sits unused.  

 

 The cute stone stairs to the guest rooms

And a room that was put together by someone who did it with love.

Who ...  didn't like all blue! or gaudy child painted poppies!! and had an understanding that you may be traveling with a suitcase possible 2!

Some extra space all to ourselves, so Sandy will try out some of her newly acquired recipes.

Can you believe that they could also organise the best sunset, "squatter rights" ... I'm moving it Marko!