Today we visited Adriano’s cousin, Tiziana, at her lovely home in Rimini. It was 11am but quickly out came the wine – a pink dry wine with a slight fizz – and nibbles. But Dario and Alex didn’t want wine at such an unrespectable hour so coffee was made with the accompanying sweet goodies.
Dario and Alex sat on this lovely antique sofa with a very ancient Venetian chandelier hanging overhead and tried to understand Adriano, Tiziana and me rabbiting on in Italian. They must have understood something because they seemed amused in this photo.
Or it could have been the antics of this very peculiar dog, Orazio (Horatio in English).
This is our second strange dog encounter since arriving in Italy. Fortunately, this one didn’t growl but he was quite unreadable because of the dark face with crevice-deep wrinkles which hid all emotion. He lay still while I photographed him but then suddenly leaped up and marched over to another doggie-bed and collapsed into it. I followed him there and he strutted off outside in a huff . Once outside, he alternated between racing about the tiny back garden like a demented lunatic and collapsing in an exhausted heap, all the time keeping an alert eye on me.
When I tried once more to take a few photos, he raced over, sniffed at my legs and decided I was a delectable female dog. I retreated inside with him pursuing me with great passion. I took off up one flight of stairs (there are four floors in this house), knowing that his fat little legs couldn’t keep up with me and took a photo of the bathroom while I was up there.
After morning tea with Tiziana, we visited the tiny country of San Marino, which is completely surrounded by Italy and not far away from us. I have been there many times and so took few photos, but did take this one because of the wrought iron work in front of the view. I thought I would show it to you just in case you were interested in tiny countries perched on very high hills.
Maria says
Suzanne but in the picture the dog looks really cute and a elegant house 🙂
admin says
It is the cute dogs you have to watch – just like the cute men!
Suzanne
kitchenriffs says
I love the colors in that kitchen! Sounds like you’re continuing to have a great trip. Glad you escaped your passionate doggie friend! 😉 Really fun read and great photos – thanks so much letting us enjoy your vacation with you.
admin says
By the time I got back downstairs, the dog had forgotten all about me – so typical of men! LOL. When I first saw that kitchen some years ago, I was quite amazed at the bold choice but it suits her personality well.
Suzanne
thyme (sarah) says
I’m having so much fun trailing with you all in Italy! I need to go back and read the previous post. I am inundated with assignments for Riley today and I was thinking of you…and how much you are DONE homeschooling your son. I just know how to get thru 2 more years! School is sooo hard. Poor guy, we would be swallowed up over here if we put him in the nearest public school. Have a great trip and I wish I were there instead of here at the kitchen table!
admin says
Good to have you with us, Sarah.
I put Dario back in school for the last two years so he could get the exams he needed for tertiary education. I don’t envy you doing them yourself but understand you not sending him into the lion’s den. Two years in a lifetime is very little – hang in there.
Suzanne
Toni Kenyon says
Sigh… Suzanne your Italian trips are always a joy to read about. So many interesting people to meet and fascinating corners to be explored.
I’m enjoying my vicarious travels.
Toni
admin says
Come with us next time, Toni! I hope all is well with your new publishing adventure. I can’t wait to hear about it.
Suzanne
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
It looks and sounds like you are having a wonderful trip!
admin says
We are having a good, relaxing trip, thanks, Laura.
Suzanne
Eha says
Since San Marino has never been anything but a dot on the map for me: thank you even for that glimpse 🙂 ! Oh, and next time I’ll sit on your shoulder whilst you tour all your relatives and friends, the savoury morning tea, please 😀 !
admin says
Savoury for me too because of the wine. If you’re not heavy, you’re welcome to the position on my shoulder, Eha.
I imagine many people don’t even know San Marino exists, so you’re one up on them.
Suzanne
Liz says
Oh, I’m so glad you took photos the cousin’s home…so fun to peek inside. Love the the kitchen, bathroom…wait, I love it all!!!
admin says
There was a lot more I could have photographed but thought I would just give you a peep instead.
Suzanne
Hotly Spiced says
That is an early time to start drinking but perhaps it was wine o’clock in NZ. The dog looks very cute but yes, perhaps slightly unreadable xx
admin says
Definitely NZ time! The dog was completely unreadable and therefore unpredictable.
Suzanne
Laura @ Family Spice says
LOL! Gotta love our canine friends! Your photographs make me want to pack up and visit Italy… sigh… one day!
admin says
It would be well worth your while to pack up your bags and come here, Laura.
Suzanne
Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog says
I’m enjoying reading your posts of your trip through Italy. I like the morning tea. Keep posting.
admin says
It’s good to hear you are enjoying these posts. Just a few more days to go and we will be back home.
Suzanne