Heralding Spring

This is the title information for this sculpture we passed each time we drove from our agriturismo stay into Bevagna, Umbria Italy. Eventually we stopped so I could photograph the Title of the Opera: Big Mother by Ezio Passeri.

She just sat quietly in the countryside. What a great way to herald in the abundance of Spring

 

Small space for working

Thanks for the comments on yesterday's post and continuing on from the Italian influence on that piece, I'll show you one of the small spaces I worked in. This was the kitchen at the agriturismo rental we had for 3 weeks in Umbria. While I got out and about to rub my fabric, I also collected plants and printed on this tiny table top.

All low tech things here and easy to travel with or acquire along the way.

The grape and olive area features in these fabrics.

The falcon was on the cover of a drainage plate from Montefalco and was a happy find.

Bevagna feasting again

After the big Medieval feast in the main square of Bevagna, the preparations are underway for the 10 days of the festival. The 4 areas of the town offer different menus and we picked the San Giorgio one and were not disappointed.

All age groups help serve and it is nice to see the younger ones taking responsibility. And dressing in costume adds to the enjoyment for the guests.

Half a litre of wine in earthen ware pottery.

These were our antipasto plates, both a salad style with chicken and orange on the bottom plate and prosciutto on the one above.

My pork with onions followed by dessert. We weren't sure what we were getting from the name, but it was biscuits and one softer and jam filled.

 

Wild boar country

We were in wild boar country and the salami, prosciutto and other assorted meats from these animals, were out on display, in front of the shops. These specialities of the area are a real drawcard for visitors and the prices seemed reasonable.

Some heads were looking the worst for wear.

This strange juxtaposition caught my eye.

Fresh truffles also available.
 

Porchetta

There is nothing more delicious than Italian porchetta and if we see a van like this we screech to a halt and rush over for a Panini or two!

Everyone is lining up for this treat of a whole roasted, moist and flavoursome pig.

The rolls are crunchy on the outside and soft inside and the pork is thinly sliced with a generous amount to bite into!

So yummy and what a treat!

 

Truffles

Can you ever have too much black 'tartufo' in or on a dish? No not really and we enjoyed a few dishes while the truffles were in season as we were very near the truffle gathering areas.

Porcini mushrooms, my favourite with some truffle.

Truffle sauce on my pork, yum! This time I remembered to stop and take a photo before finishing the dish.
 

A Medieval banquet

While in Bevagna the preparations were underway for their Medieval Festival which is kicked off with a banquet in the town square. We booked our spots and had a great night of entertainment and feasting. The first course was fruits and spiced wine [I think- not something we had drunk before in Italy]

The village dresses up joins in and is divided into 4 sections. The Gaita Santa Maria was responsible for the dinner this year and with the rain holding off we could enjoy the full moon.

After the fruit, the courses were chick pea soup, ravioli pasta, pork and a cherry pudding of sorts with Sagrantino wine and more spiced wine at the end. The head table in costume and some other guests too.

Lots of great entertainment, such as these musicians and a full scale dramatic production. What a fantastic backdrop provided by the centuries old buildings.

 

 

Wow

The Orvieto Duomo is unique with the wow factor from it's great black and white striped walls to beautiful mosaics and biblical scenes at the front.

Often these colourful decorations are missing so it was marvellous to see their brilliance. Some columns around the side were quite plain without the mosaics.

 

Orvieto

These flags/banners are from Orvieto and as they were everywhere I could not help but take lots of photos. Summertime in Italy sees most cities gear up for a celebration or 2 and in the centres we visited in Umbria, the flags were out!

 

Macrame

Spello is small but has interesting artists and galleries and this modern macramé caught my eye. I can remember knotting a pot plant holder in the 1970's but didn't go beyond that. Aldina makes the most beautiful pieces in a variety of fibres and sells them at her shop L'angelo del Macramé.

These are the pieces I saw in the glass display cabinet outside. The first day we visited her shop was closed, but luckily open on our return. I needed a bee for my flower prints.