Three of us in turn each took tandem flights, flying over both Gubbio and to Valdichiascio and Bellaugello.  The air was relatively calm as clouds scudded high overhead in the azure skies, some of the turns were tight, one of us in particular wanted more tight turns, but Aimaro was reluctant to subject novices to real scary stuff. It was a tremendous experience, exhillarating, awesome, to be in such a small craft flying high and going just where we pleased.  Definately one that we all decided to repeat.

It has really set me thinking about an adventure week holiday here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House.  Aimaro is keen also to offer guests at Bellaugello a course of lessons to full pilot qualification, ( he has the advantage of being fluent in both English and French as well as his native Italian) why not come and join me I am seriously thinking of signing up.  Email me at info@bellaugello.com for further details and costs.

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Le strade e le piazze del Centro Storico di Perugia traboccheranno letteralmente di ogni tipo di cioccolato che si possa immaginare e Bellaugello, con il suo ambiente bello e tranquillo, si trova a soli 40 minuti in auto da Perugia. Il luogo perfetto per assaporare segretamente le delizie del cioccolato.

Per saperne di più su Eurochocolate 2010 Clicca sul link nel mio blog.
Per prenotare la tua Suite a Bellaugello e partecipare ad una delle cene al cioccolato che realizzerò a Bellaugello, clicca sulla pagina delle prenotazioni e inviami un email. Offerte a partire da € 210,00 a coppia per due pernottamenti, prima colazione e cena.

Affrettati, finché c’è ancora disponibilità.

Thanks to my good friend Adolfo for the Italian translation

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The streets and Piazzas of the Centro Storico of Perugia will literally be overflowing with every kind of chocolate imaginable, and Bellaugello in its olvely tranquil setting is a mere 40 minutes drive from Perugia and a perfect place to secretly munch on chocolate

To find out more about Eurochocolate 2010 click on the link on my blog  To Book your Suite at Bellaugello and participate in one of the chocolate dinners I will be hosting here, click on the bookings page and send me an email. Packages start from €210.00 per couple for two nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner – hurry while there is still availability

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A few weeks ago a couple of great guys from Bergamo came and stayed at Bellaugello Gay Guest House here in Umbria and brought with them a divine two year old Beagle called Lilly.

Well Edo, my blue belton English Setter took no time and instantly fell in love with Lilly.  He would sit patiently and quietly outside the Suite waiting to catch a glimpse of the lovely Lilly.  He went off his food and wandered around starry eyed, hoping to catch a glimpse when she returned from her day out with her masters.

Luckily for him by the end of her two week stay Lilly began to show amorous feelings for Edo. In the morning at breakfast on the terrace here at Bellaugello Gay B&B she would receive small tidbits and blow me down if she did not bury them in the gravel, making little piles with her nose scraping the gravel up.  She did not eat a morsel, and evidently knew Edo was lovesick and not eating and she was leaving sustenance for him….  it was just so cute..  Romance blossoming at Bellaugello

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My great friends Luca and Valentina were married and shortly after had their son, Pietro baptised, a cause for a major party.

Luca flies helicopters for the Corpo Forestale, and in every sense of the word has a sense of adventure and over-abundant generosity, which to me is complimented by Valentina’s sense of humour, infinite patience and fantstic sense of fun.  They are a great couple and organised a superb evening to which they invited over 200 friends.  It seemed like the whole of Valdichiascio were there present, along with Luca and Valentina’s familes, and work colleagues and friends.  Guys staying here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House, were all invited to the party by the bride and groom, (thanks Luca and Valentina, they really had a fantastic time) and had a chance to mix with the locals and meet many of my cool neighbours.

Catering was by Sabrina and Calaudia of my favourite restaurant, ‘Bargello‘ in Gubbio, and  music by local dj.  The entire evening was held outdoors in the garden with tables bedecked with organza and groaning with food and wines.  To the north over the Apeninnes rumbled unheard a large storm, the clouds illuminated vivid oranges by the distant lightning, very dramatic and quite spectacular, but overhead here a magical cloudless starry sky.

Oh and I just had to wear my kilt and be photographed with the Bride

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Here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House near Gubbio in Umbria, Italy I have planted over two hundred lavender bushes.  They line sides of paths and steps and billow over the embankments, forcing guests to brush past and release the potent fragrance.

I also cook with lavender and thanks to two great guys from the north of Italy I now have violet food colouring (they rushed into Perugia and found what I had singularly failed to find, thus leaving me with no excuse not to try out the receipe!) and make pretty lavender cakes with lavender frosting, also using lavender for lamb and salmon.

Gabriella, the fabulous co-owner of the herboristeria in Gubbio has suggested lavender as a relaxing bath.  Using a clean sock stuffed crammed with lavender flowers hung under the bath tap the water is fragrant and the lavender oil softens the bath water, divine…

Another great guest from Belgium has sent me a recipe for lavender jam, the required apples are now ripe and so lavender jam making will commence, and two cool guys, recent guests from Padova have sent me a large selection lavender recipies, all of which will be tried, they sound wonderful.  I also learn of a store selling solely lavender products, sounds dreamy to me…

Thanks to Swa for the picture which he took whilst here on holiday at Bellaugello

Any further lavender recipies or suggestions for use of lavender will be much appreciated

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The Specchio Suite, traditional in style, is accessed from the shady upper west terrace and has its own private covered verandah.  Entered through the living room with kitchen corner, log burning stove, and luxury sofa bed.doors lead to both the bathroom and bedroom.  There separate double bedroom with super kingsize bed has views to the Apenines, and also accesses the large bathroom with Double showers.  Windows to both east and west make the most of the sunshine and views both to the Apeninnes and our garden.

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