Take me to the Po

Our final stop was going to be an ecological B&B called, Il Bosco delle Terracotte. This was not your average B&B but a total ecological adventure. Twelve years ago Marco and Silvia left the hectic life of Turin to settle in the rolling hills near Barge. They restored an 18th century farmhouse, took over an over grown vineyard, and became loving owners to the wild outdoors. Marco had a "Adopt-A Vineyard' plan where one can donate 100 euros and become a collective owner of his vine. He is also an artist and formed the Cultural Association, Sassi Vivaci, in attempt to promote art through nature. It took us a while to figure out how to get to Bosco delle Terracotte since the Italians are not too good with giving directions. But when we drove through the kiwi vines we knew we were in for something 'special'.

Getting to the serious stuff....

One can not pass through the Barolo wine region without buying some of their powerful vino.

I am also a fan of the lighter Dolcetta d'Alba. We stopped off at the Domain Marchesi Di Barolo.

They also had an assortment of dried pasta and pickled porcini mushrooms. I was in heaven when I asked me husband, 'what's for lunch?'

Direction ALBA: Black Diamond and Barolo Wine Country

After a several days of idyllic existence at Casa Cambi, my husband and I head over to the land of delicious encounters: truffles and earthy Barolo wine. Unfortunately, we are out of the loop for white truffle season since the summer truffles are already long gone and the winter truffles are still hibernating somewhere near a friendly oak tree. We stop and rest our bags in Alba. Tonight is my birthday so we ask the concierge for a "special" restaurant. Since we have been in Italy, we have not had a bad meal. There is a speciality pasta the Piedmont region called, Tajarin. It is like fettuccine but half the width...They pair it the simplest tomato sauce that I have yet to duplicate to their perfection. I have become addicted to their Tajarin pasta. Is this a bad thing?

Still Hanging at CASA CAMBI

We just spent one night at the b&B but since it was far into the mountains we decided just to hang out and take a few long walks. They served a delicious home made dinner at night with pasta and fish. Just a little bit of heaven!

Onward Soldiers!

Once we hit San Remo, the GPS told us to go north up towards the Italian alps. Our goal was to find Montevecchio. A small 15th century town that is still 'in it juice'. Like a medieval town, one cannot see it from the exterior since it is hidden behind it's own fortress. There was no way we could even drive our 4x4 vehicle through its narrow streets. So we called the Casa Cambi number and common to many European establishments, it was closed till 3:30. We went back to our car and lo and behold was an elegant woman asking for us by name. She was the owner of the B&B and wanted to escort our baggage to our rooms. We finally made it to the Casa Cambi. Instantly, we were under it's charming spell. I felt like I was being transported back to a time pre computers, pre mobile phones , and pre everything. Think old men hanging out in vacant storefronts playing their cards and drinking wine. Think small children playing together in the town square park where the parents looked on from the local cafe. I find the Italians so friendly compared to the French. Jp and I hung out by the back garden while unpacking our bags and letting the dog sniff the new surroundings. Pure heaven, indeed!

A weekend in Italy

I cannot think of a better way to spend a birthday weekend other than eating pasta, drinking Italian wine while wandering the beautiful Italian alps with my man. Luckily for me, my husband was a willing participant in my weekend folly. The only problem is that after the Italian border via car, one is assaulted with a narrow two lane highway peppered with tons of tunnels and a plethora of angry/crazy/blind/high Italian truck drivers. As we consulted our GPS, for some strange reason , my husband and I start to get tired and bicker in the car. As we finally entered the medieval village that hosted our b&B Casa Cambi I started to get nervous when I noticed how ugly the buildings were leading up to our romantic town....I started to doubt the wonderful and romantic photos I saw on the B&B's web site. Maybe it is all a scam...We are in Italy for god sake's.....

Harrison and I

Back in 1995 around 9am, I was working at Paramount Studios on a Sydney Pollack film entitled, SABRINA. I loved my job as an assistant film editor and took it very seriously. I was in the editing room setting up the avid for the editor Fritz Steinkemp, when I heard a noise outside on the fire exit ladder. I opened the window and who do I see but Raider of the Lost Arch himself, Harrison Ford. He crawled in the window and asked me if Sydney had arrived yet. . Later that day, Sydney invited me to have a take out lunch in the editing room with Harrison Ford. Harrison took one look at my pet rabbit and asked me for some mustard! ( it was Saturday and I would bring my pet rabbit, Genet aka Bubba to work)

We talked about Melanie Griffith being with the Spanish actor Antonio Banderas. Harrison said that Antonio became one of the Baldwin brothers when he married Melanie..

Harrison made me laugh. I really remember him and Sydney being 'bon vivants'. They liked to eat and drink French wine, enjoyed the company of women, and loved flying their planes through the night to Paris.

Recently, when I had dinner at the Deauville Film Festival with Harrison Ford, I shook his hand and asked him if he remembered our lunch together...At this point, he was a bit buzzed by the champagne and red wine and we talked tenderly about Sydney and out memories of SABRINA. Harrison still looked hot even though he was heavily watched by his girlfriend, actress Calista Flockhark. There is something about Harrison that is tender and funny. He is one of the cool ones.