Day 16...Our Italian Travelling Partners...Jim and Christine

Ty is the world famous chef of the Cucina de Marianna where we enjoyed his amazing food for 7 days!  And this would be our last meal until we return...I took the opportunity to catch a few photos of the kitchen and the inside of the dining room, since we always ate outside (it never rained...although it threatened last night)

A nice pencil artwork of Ty from a previous client

The inside dining room is beautiful..although untouched this week..

The day started out slightly differently in that Steve and Elva had departed very early for the airport, and Peggy and I ate breakfast on our lake front patio without their smiles...Departing Lake Como, we arrived a few hours earlier than Jim and Christine in Parma...so we sought out a quick lunch...who would know how few things would be opened at 3pm when we were looking.  For those who think we don't eat average meals, check this out...

The only food was outside the gate of a local swimming pool, so Peggy and I relaxed with a foccaccio sandwich filled with the local products of cheese and prosciutto...

We were thrilled to discover that the Jordan's had not trouble finding the agriturismo...and it was a treat to be together, finally, after a few months of planning (since early March)..

A bit road weary, it was interesting to discover that our B and B was a working cheese farm with many farm implements and farm workers wandering around...like this grass mower from the 50s...

Our hosts, Bruno and Simona, are amazing and helped us plan a wonderful dinner at an "artists" restaurant...

Don't you agree that he could have come right out of the California surf/hog scene of the 60s...

Nonetheless, and thankfully, we were totally blown away by the food quality...the marguerite pizzas were great ...especially with the bottle of spicy/piquante oil...Stu...huh...

as was the shrimp pasta

Still, the highlight of the meal was the Prosciutto di Parma ... in all its local variety

served with its traditional Torte Fritta.  Fried strips of pasta or pizza dough that fluff up to become light pillows of toasty, tasty deliciousness

We were treated to a local specialty called Bagno Lino...a brown nut based digestif

Yes, it tasted as challenging as it looked...Everything about the place reflected a strange sense of artistic creativity...

but beauty was evident in it all!

Alright, so tomorrow is our 396 month anniversary (33 years for those who would like a bit of math assistance...e.g.Ben...).....and we have a full day packed with visits to cheese, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar factories...prior to a local, supposedly excellent restaurant with Jim and Christine...SO don't be looking for the daily blog until well into the 3rd of July!!!  :)))) love you all, ciao bella!