Thursday 15th May 2025
Today was an early start to head to the Grotte di Frasassi (limestone caves) with Gianfranco and Patrizia and Ilaria, Elisa's daughter who was having a day off school to come with us. They came past at 8.30am as planned and we followed for the 50 minute drive. John was driving today in his car. He has self selected a manual car to drive in Italy on the opposite side of the road with the gear stuff on a different side to normal. Some might call this foolhardy.
The Frassasi once we finally got in were amazing. We decided to take the bus to the caves from the parking/ticketing area as this seemed to make sense. However we were not allowed on 3 buses as they were full of school kids and we had tickets for a later bus. A little confusing. No children are in school in Italy today, they are all on excursions to the Frasassi, even Ilaria who is meant I think to be at school.
The commentary was all in Italian but Gianfranco explained the interesting bits to help us understand.
Lots of stairs and steep inclines both up and down. It was also wet and slippery. Perfect conditions for me obviously. But beautiful.
a bear like formation
We had lunch at the bar attached and everyone had paninis except me. The nice man made me my own plate of prosciuttos and cheese and spinach. It was a huge plate and some people were jealous. Of my meal. Amazing! No photos, too busy eating.
After lunch and our big drive home with no Gianfranco to follow, we needed a rest for the evening ahead. And a bit of a look around the hotel. So full of history and basically junk.
Of course, it was the night of the birthday dinner for Samuelo's 25th birthday with 30 guests in Camerino. Camerino's ancient part of the city was nearly destroyed by an earthquake before our last visit 2 years ago and has still not been fixed. It is full of cranes and workmen now, but after 5 years, it is a bit disheartening that it is not yet finished. However we went to the newer part of Camerino which is a modern university city.
We found out the dinner was to be at the Etoile Bistro in Camerino. We were to follow Gianfranco there but they were very late so we started before them. They suggested we stop and wait for them which was probably a good idea. Time and punctuality are a bit of a moot thing in this family.
The views from the restaurant above the town
It was to be a pizza night which worried me a bit but it turned out I was to have a special gf pizza of my choice, as well as gf chips and bruschetta's. They are so kind.
My bruschetta
My chips
My pizza with a home made crispy gf base. Best i have hadDon't panic. Everyone else had chips, bruschetta and about 5 different types of pizza.
It was only 30 people for the 25th birthday including friends and family. Samuelo is the youngest of Gianfranco and Patrizia's four children, a happy accident. He is adorable and when we first met him at about 6 years of age, we seriously thought about taking him home with us. But he is so grown up now and works as an electrician like his father and big brother, Matteo. He also has a fiancé Manuela who is gorgeous and smart.
Some family photos:
us with Gianfranco and wife and his 4 kids
the bigger group
birthday cake made by Patrizia. She made me a special gf dessert.
Samuelo and mum and dad
And then everyone started to leave and so did we and managed to find our own way back home to the Faustina.
How wonderful to be able to share Samuelo's birthday with him, his family and friends. Very special.
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