We strolled to the Duomo and went inside, where a service was taking place. Then we walked round the cloisters and through the market. I bought and wrote three postcards to my ZIWA garden-loving friends.
Then we collected our bags and car, and drove to Castello di Pergolato. Leaving Piacenza wasn't as difficult as getting in! On our arrival at 4pm sharp, we drove up a steep hill and at first we missed the Castello but eventually found the way in.Luisa was waiting for us and showed us round. It was quite a confusing two-storey building. There was a lovely swimming pool outside with sunbeds.
We learnt that the castle was built on the foundations of a Roman Settlement in the 10th century by the Buondelmonti family, who ruled the surrounding area as the Imperial Visdomini. The feudal castle was converted to a Villa residence between 1450 and 1500.
Soon Lesley and David H, David N and Cheri, Laura and Dan, Kathryn and Robbie arrived. We chose our bedrooms - ours had a red bedspread on the first floor.
Richard and I had bought food for our first meal. It was quite tricky to find all the utensils and work out the cooking equipment, not to mention providing food for 10 people with different tastes and requirements!
