Agriturismo Fun- Horseback Riding and Pasta Making

After a big day out on Sunday, we were happy to have a day where we didn't leave the agritourismo. The morning began with baked goods delivered to our door. Then we went to the weekly introduction to horseback riding lesson held at the stables opposite our apartment. Jude's quick hand raise got our family on the horses first and we all took a ride on the grounds. 

We played a lot of Gnoming Around (a great card game) that week!

After lunch and some downtime, we got ready for our pasta-making class. We started with some prosecco on one of the dining platforms over the fields. Another beautiful day! 

We got schooled on the differences in pasta dough recipes in different parts of Italy (more semolina in the North, more flour in the South) and the proper way to mix the ingredients. We didn't have pasta makers so we learned how to laboriously roll the dough with a long, thin rolling pin. Then we were set to work! 

Once the dough was ready, we learned how to form different pasta shapes: tagliatelle, ravioli, pappardelle, and tortelloni (so many different ones!). We divided our dough into sections to practice all of the techniques. Part of the teacher's schtick was to tease Opa about his techniques, but he was a good sport! 

The fruits of our labor! 

Later that evening, we returned to the restaurant to enjoy our pasta: ravioli in a butter sage sauce, pasta in tomato sauce, and pasta bolognese. Maeve was not a fan of the taste of the pasta (lordy!), but the rest of us were quite satisfied. And to cap off a wonderful day, we had a magnificent sunset as we ate. 

Tuscan Tree Top and Beach Adventures

I had hoped we'd fit a beach trip into the week. I was curious what the coast was like in Tuscany. There was a high ropes adventure course near the coast, which was only open on the weekend so the timing was perfect to visit our first full day. Google maps led us on quite the adventure through narrow mountain dirt roads, but we finally made it to Il Giardino Sospeso. Jude was rearing to go on the hardest of courses, while Maeve began with more apprehension before hitting her stride. Pete and I joined Jude and all had a great time. A lot of fun zip lines mixed in and some really challenging parts! 

There was a farm next to the adventure park with boars. Many families enjoyed the sunny Sunday and barbequed in the grassy field. We had lunch at the cafe before driving 15 minutes to the beach in Cecina. Also a popular spot, but the guys eventually found parking while the kids played at the playground under the lovely pines. 

I had a lovely nap in the sun while the kids built driftwood sculptures and skipped rocks. The water was chilly!  

So hard to leave the beach! 

That Tuscan sun on the drive home

We'd called ahead for takeaway pizza and had a relaxing evening at the apartment.