Transfer day to Ostuno

One of the great things about a supported bike trip is that they transport your luggage for you from hotel to hotel. So, by 8 AM, we had our bags packed and sitting in front of our room. Left for sumptuous breakfast, then orientation, and we were off on our bikes to Ostuni. En route we stopped at an olive museum, where our guide Luigi did a great job of explaining the history of olive squeezing technology with the original tools right there for us to examine. He also explained that there are hundreds if not thousands of varieties of olives; 27 in the tiny region of Puglia alone. Riding our bikes through olive groves over one thousand years old was amazing... These trees gain twists and wrinkles and scars over the decades and centuries that just form them all into unique individuals. You wish they could tell stories of the weather they have experienced, the peoples they have seen, the animals that have lived in their canopies.



Here are a few of these trees.




This tree will have story to tell about 2013...




Luncheon at table.



Olive press

For lunch we visited a Masseria that had been converted to an agritourism business, showcasing locally grown organic foods. We were warned that it would be the longest lunch of our lives, and we were not disappointed in that regard. The only problem was it was preceded by a 1.5 hr tour of the gardens and olive press area by Guiseppe, an Italian with a British accent and a condescending attitude (or so it appeared to some of us). Ordinarily I think I would have enjoyed the tour despite that except that I wore the wrong biking shirt that day-black and gray with long sleeves; and was overheated. Temps were 85-90 and not terribly dry. Insufficient water and hunger compounded the aggravation about a very late and slow lunch. A headache ensued that had me leaving early with Kevin and Laurie for Ostuni, where a cool shower and water and new clothes revived us.



View from our walk to town




Typical Ostuni street; very picturesque

We walked to town for dinner on our own and had pizzas on a small plaza good for people watching. This was followed by the obligatory gelato (yum!), and later, two very interesting liqueurs; one featuring walnut and the other bay leaf! The latter in particular, was excellent!



Here is the view for our balcony at night.


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Location:Puglia