Radda in Chianti

Saturday was a wash out almost literally. It rained /thundered for virtually the whole day as if expecting the result from Dublin.
Yesterday we went to the Cinque Terre villages about an hour away. Unfortunately half of Italy went as well so 4 out of 5 were full - or at least their car parks were and the local police just sent you away. We di get lunch at levanto which was rather nice if not quite as good as the villages are supposed to be. Eventually we got into Monterosso al Mare which was very nice but too late to take the boat along the coast and back to see the other villages. Ah well a job for another day.
Today we decided to drive across to Chianti - called Surrey with sunshine by some. As soon as a Labour party member turned up the heavens were not pleased. As we sat down in Radda in Chianti to lunch the heavens opened and gave a mighty roar (or several) as well. Now I can really recommend a restaurant called "Al Chiasso dei Portiri" in Radda. It does have loads of refernces elsewhere but in 1997 we went there for lunch and it produced what is still in my opinion the "best Tiramisu in the world" or at least of those I've tasted (and I do try to find a one betterat every opportunity). Well its gone up market since then and is now pricey but the food is still great. The food at luchtime today was the best we have had - even if Tiramisu was not on the menu. So if you are ever in this part of the world save up both your appetite and your pennies (cents) and go to this restaurant. If its any consolation I gather there are even more expensive ones in Radda. But the staff are very friendly - they moved us (and the other diners) inside from their tented patio (table food et al) when they felt the weather was just too bad.
After lunch as we drove back the skied cleared and so we paid a quick visit to San Gimignano - well we have not been there for 6 years so twice in a week is not excessive - and bought some more wine and other essentials (like a handbag). Still it was nice to wander around and be mistaken for Italians by visiting Brits who addressed us in bad Italian first! Not sure if that is good or not.
Still waiting for the snail mail to catch up but as we gather there are problems at Royal Mail we might be here a while. Oh dear - although the nights are colder now. In fact so clear tonight we can see beyond the inner islands to Corsica on the horizon to the west.