Steam Train to Asciano...

yes, and here comes a little note about that lovely Sunday last (which was also a national day of celebration:  for on June the 2nd 1946 Italy became a republic ).  Italy is criss crossed by old railway lines and to go on a steam train journey is a  popular way to spend a Sunday with the family. 

I found myself in the company of Carmen and her numerous family, as we made our way in a south easterly direction towards Asciano, in the heart of the wonderful Crete Senese, one of my favourite places in the world, its strange hills changing colur and aspect throughout the year: now they had donned their glorious early summer attire, wrapped in green and strewn with delicate flowers.  

                                                  

      Our steam train stopped to let us descend for a walk through this smiling landscape,  the enjoyment  of which not even  a fine, steady drizzle could  dampen. 

                                                                                                        

A quartet  of septogenarians made up a little jazz/folk orchestra, which played all day with unstoppable energy as they perambulated from carriage to carriage playing jolly tunes such as 'When the Saints go Marching in'.

They really got into stride once we arrived in Asciano, where they lit up the main square with their contagious energy which resulted in quite a street party. Italians, of course, like to sing, and so they did- all the old favourites including O Sole Mio, ending up with a rousing rendition of the jolly and boisterous   Italian National Anthem. I have a little video of this ,but unfortunately the file is too big to transfer, so all I can show is this picture below, which by no means conveys the fun that was had by all...

                                      

And as if this was not enough enjoyment for one Sunday; once back in Siena I ran into the Giraffa Contrada, who were  doing their Giro and just arriving at ONDA, where they were met by our alfieri: