After leaving their home in Soriano, Carlo and Marilyn take us through the town, up into the hills above the town, to what they call 'the farm'. At the end of a number of twisty, narrow dirt roads, we come to an iron gate, which Carlo unlocks.. A few hundred meters later, we come to an old stone farm house, long since abandoned. Olive, chestnut and walnut trees are all around.. Carlo tells us how his mother planted them and how he has great memories of the farm, ...

We arose this morning and took the Metro from Termini to EUR Fermi, on the west outskirts of Rome. Carlo and Marilyn picked us up there to bring us out to their weekend home in Soriano, a small town an hour's drive northwest of Rome. After our first experience of European highway traffic, we walked down to the main square.. We witnessed a procession of young people through town, on their way to their first communion. Carlo went to mass while Marilyn showed us up ...