Bunfight

I wasn't the only one up there taking photos.

Today we were invited to the launch of a new local restaurant. But not just any old restaurant -- the proprietors are Italians freshly arrived from Rome. They have bought a massive and stately former wine domain, and perhaps their most impressive achievement is that they bought it just a year ago, started renovation in May, and are opening in two weeks. The buildings and park are really magnificent. And as well as running the restaurant, they are going to keep buffalo. Yes, you read that right -- locally produced Mozzarella! Very exciting.

It was a grey, drizzly day, but we drove through a beautiful hazy autumn landscape, reminiscent of Max Savy (past that very tree in fact, exactly a year to the day). The mist and drizzle enhanced the romantic look of the gardens, not yet restored to their former glory - but given the pace at which the Antoninis do things, I'm sure it won't be long. I could have spent ages taking more photos, but as the drizzle got more persistent we headed back home. We will be back when it opens!