17 Sept - Good samaritan

Last day at my villa so was determined to make the most of it. Started off with a smooth latte in the village and some lip-smacking tomatoes for lunch. All fuelled up, I mounted my trusty steed and hit the bike path.

I hadn't ventured very far before an opportunity presented itself to give a little back. Surrounded only by wind-swept olive groves and sunflower fields, a car sat idle with its headlights on in front of a farmhouse. I called up to the open window a few times but nothing. Eventually I braved the snarling dog and knocked on the door. An elderly gentleman emerged wearing a perplexed expression. After explaining hed accidentally left his headlights on, I proceeded to make my exit. Signore however would hear nothing of it.

Herding me over to the table, he insisted I stand by for whatever goodies he was about to present. He started me off with some excellent home-brewed sciacchetra, a yummy dessert wine served with semi-sweet biscotti. Peasant that I wam, I raised my glass in salute and was about to kick it back when Signore indicated the biscotti was to be dipped in the wine. Mmmm, delish. Rounds 2 and 3 then followed in short order with Signore chatting a mile a minute. I caught only a third of his rant at that speed but was busting a gut regardless as the entire scene seriously tickled my funny bone.

Signore put a question to me and searched my face for the answer. No idea what he said, I was just cracking up. He disappears into the kitchen for a few moments with the diatribe still streaming from a few feet away. Next thing, he is standing in the doorway balancing an entire leg of cured ham on his shoulder and is asking me which cut id like. Now wot you need to understand is that Signore is not a statuesque man and this balancing act invilved an entire pigs leg from hoof to thigh. I was howling, it was all just so surreal.

After a healthy serving of cured pork and Montalcino Rosso, Signore waved me on my way. Suddenly the bike path appeared different, somehow way more entertaining. The lizard races took on a whole new flavour even as I headed into the strong wind. Needless to say, I didnt get very far today. Instead I resigned myself to the fate Id been handed and rode back to the villa early to get some lounging in by the pool. And to think it all began with a good samaritan act.