Friday in Fabriano

This particular Friday, a month or so ago in Italy, was one of our "studio" days.  We left the hotel at 9:30 in the morning and had a walk through the town, on our way to the local art store by somewhat round about route.  No matter, it gave us a chance to see some more of the interesting buildings and door knockers. 

The art store itself was very well stocked and we each found a few items we just had to have.  For me, it was grid paper, a couple of rolls of electrical and bookbinding tape in different colours and some inexpensive double-sided tape. 

The art store didn't look that special from the outside

but it sure was pretty on the inside!

Afterwards, we walked back to the hotel in the heat of the morning (35 degrees C before noon!) and Diana gave us a watercolour lesson on the terrace there. 

We had lunch and headed to the Museo just after 3 pm and stayed until 7. It was a bit of challenge because the room that we were using wasn't air-conditioned and although it had several windows which we kept wide open, there wasn't much of a breeze that day.  However, we persevered and carved some rubber stamps and played around with various things.  At the end of the day, we were all a little weary, especially when we didn't get into the blue team's hospitality area for dinner...for the second time...something about not having reservations, what?...

Susan, Jane, Denise, Diana and Holly

and after some discussion, we split up for dinner.  A few of us ended up in a little pizzeria just off the main square where we sampled some of the best pizza I have ever had.  We decided it was so tasty because it was baked on large iron baking sheets but who knows exactly what the chef's secret was, all I know for sure is that is was goood. 

We then went for some gelato and stayed in the square until it was time for the flag throwing.  Yes, I said flag throwing. Did you ever see the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun", where the young Polish boy learns to throw flags to impress his Italian sweetheart? It was just like that, except thankfully, no one got injured.  The colours, the flags, the costumes, the pagentry - it was all absolutely amazing to watch.  And somewhat difficult to photograph, as you can see from my sometimes blurry and/or not properly exposed pictures!  But still, I like the way the moving flags look like a wash of colour in the air.

These 2 were the emcees for the evening
- they spoke only in Italian, we have no idea
what they said!!

As well as the four guys twirling flags,
check out the fresco on the roof of the archway!

You can see it a little better here.

Although this photo of 4 tossed flags turned out perfectly, in my humble opinion!

Somewhere on my computer, I have a video of the spectacle of the flag throwing and I'll post it when I find it. :)  You will be amazed...