Family Time Ascoli Style

We are really lucky to be spending this part of the holiday with Stefano, Debbie and pocket rocket Ernie, and for Stefano to show us around his home town. We have learnt a lot about Stefano that we didn't know, seeing him on his home turf. For example.,he likes gelato. So much so that he (and Ernie) had four gelato each yesterday. Ernie has two speeds; stop and running. We have seen a lot of Stefano's back as he is always running after Ernie - maybe that's why he needs all that gelato.
We were lucky enough to walk out of our hotel straight into the weekend market. I was very happy. Graham not so much. He just handed over his wallet and walked away.
Stefano's parents had us over for an Italian feast. No one cooks like the Italians, do they. And to top off the fantastic food Ada (Stefano's mum) makes four different flavours of limoncello. It was really lovey meeting and spending some time with them. Even though we didn't speak the same language we worked it out.
Headed back to the piazza for some people watching (and probably more gelato for Stefano and Ernie). Everyone was so dressed up I was sure they were going to a wedding but apparently that's what they do - dress up and walk laps. We saw a lady all dressed up in a suit and incredibly high stilettos riding a pushbike. Something you don't see every day.
Met a few of Stefano's childhood friends and they are all characters. Ascoli is lovely and even though it has a population of around 50k it still feels like a small town. A small town with a lot of gelato stores and we have visited every one.Read more