Pictures, Snakes and Scorpions

I haven't written about the most important aspect of our house in Tuscany...there are scorpions! And the occasional adder and viper and not so occasional grass snake (one seen already). And geckos and a rabbit (which we have named Massimo in memory of...well, that's another story!) and squirrels...and did I mention scorpions?? We've already seen two very alive, very angry ones. There goes any thought of summer sandals - tomorrow it is gumboot shopping day. Did anyone else know that Italy was filled with such poisonous, deadly, icky creatures?

Speaking of poisonous creatures, I drove for the first time today. Nearly knocked down a couple of Italian mamas...Italians don't seem to understand the concept of sidewalks, i.e. they don't have any especially out in the countryside. It'll make my planned morning runs a bit more interesting!