Into the valley of the Kings without a shadow of doubt.

Once upon a fine Saturday morning, two girls venture into the wilds of the King Valley.  Frocked up, soundtrack ready and handbags in hands. A day on the green in the sunshine it was…a day of feeling blessed by the good things. It’s funny how a morning can prove hectic and feel at times hopeless, but then there comes the relief that lies in a cup of Melburnian coffee and terracotta baked eggs.  Thankyou Whitfield’s Mountain View Pub. Patience again proving to be a virtue..that and the power of persuasion in encouraging my friend to join me.

Francesco was the first stop and also my favourite, as it had soul and simplicity. My two wine purchases were at the first and last wineries, as they both ticked these two boxes.  And ps they both had great names…Francesco and Avalon. After a few appetite inducing tipples, the gnocchi fiesta at Pizzini proved worthy of being on our itinerary. Serenaded in Italian as we were eating our gnocchi...little piece of heaven right there.  And we both showed impressive restraint when it came to consumption of wine and food. We had our fix: cannoli, prosecco  and not to mention being pursued by cute boys at bocce J Ah, the Italians really do have it figured out...a sweet life is found in joy. There was no fast food here. It was cooked with love by the nonnas in the kitchen, the wine made with grapes that were sun kissed and then harvested at the right time. There is a strong scent of love wafting through the hills that enclose this beautiful valley.

Roses are one of my favourite flowers, particularly so as they remind me of my beloved nonna. Her roses gave her joy. It buffered her from the elements of life that at times aren’t as blissful. I discovered that roses in vineyards serve as protection for the vines. When the roses are attacked, that’s the warning sign to cover the fruits of one’s labour.

And I love that idea that something beautiful like a rose serves to protect something as precious as one’s livelihood but also one’s passion. We could all do with a buffer in life, or even a few. Something as simple as the smell of a newly blossoming rose or as complicated as stepping outside of your comfort zone by trying new things.

Salute to the Italians, for reminding us to celebrate life.