Len’s Birthday Journal:
We started the day with a cappuccino in Cortona, then headed to the small town of Magione in the Perugia region for a most enjoyable lunch. Being that it is nearly 100° and crowded in Cortona, we decided to take the lovely drive to Ristorante Da Massimo, situated above Lake Trasimeno. The roads weren’t crowded, the views along the winding roads were lovely, and the food – well, Massimo certainly has made an art of preparing fresh seafood.
Great Food!
We shared two antipasti di mare, some hot and some cold, and seemingly never ending. Unfortunately, I’m a bit out of practice at remembering to photograph the gastronomical delights, but among them were salmon, octopus, seafood salad, shrimp salad, mussels, clams, scallops, and these mini sea snails.

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We were first introduced to this wonderful restaurant by dear friends Susan and Ray, and they were definitely on our minds. In fact, that first time, Susan and I ordered the same orata (white fish), but I ordered mine grilled and she ordered with potatoes. I never forgot!

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Given that we still had a dinner ahead, we opted to share one piece of cheesecake with fresh berries and freshly whipped cream.

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Great Friends!
After an afternoon nap, (it’s what one does, of course!), we met friends at Tuscher for some masked hugs and a Prosecco toast to Len.

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Great Views! We departed around 8 for dinner at Ristorante Tonino and were welcomed by a gentle breeze and incredible views.

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Food was good too…

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As we ate, the sky changed colors and the sun and slender crescent moon put on a splendid show.

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On the way home, we bumped into Ivan and Massimo, a fun ending for a pretty perfect birthday!

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Tanti Auguri, Leonardo, per un buon compleanno! Ti amo!
Judy
What a Wonderful Birthday! Have a Healthy and Happy new year!! Love, Mary Terese
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Sounds too wonderful except for the heat!!!
Happy Birthday Len!
Best Wishes,
Gustavo and Hilary
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Happy birthday Len. It looks like you had a fabulous celebration 🎉🎂🍷❤️Cousins Deb & Mike
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Happy Birthday to Len!! I’m so glad you are back to your happy place 🥰🥰 Give him my love 🍾🎉🎂🥳❤️
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Happy birthday Len! Our best wishes for continued happiness, good health and love!
Shelli andBill
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How wonderful that Len’s birthday celebration was able to be in your beloved Italy! What a special place! 💖💖
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Buon compleanno compare Leonard!! Auguri, Auguri, Tanti Auguri.
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Tanti auguri, Leonardo!! Looks like a wonderful day and beautiful sunset, Judy, though perhaps San Francesco but don’t think you’d be up that high. That’s our neighbourhood. Lovely to see Massimo e Daniela and the cop! But 100F Cortona!! Save me. We would NEVER go there in summer. It was 30C here today but thankfully we had a beautiful breeze off Georgian Bay! Soak it up. Len’s birthday is August 11? Rudy was 08/08!
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And a very belated happy birthday to Rudy🥂!
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Happy Birthday Len!!! Love Florence, Erin , Alexis and Henri❣️🥰❣️💥🇮🇹🇮🇹
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H💖A🌠P🎊P🎈Y B🔅I💐R🍇T🍾H🎂D🎆AY L🌻E🍷N
Coincidentally we are currently trying to make arrangements for Al’s 89th or 90th birthdays in Cortona. See you there!!!!
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Happy Birthday Len! So happy you guys got to celebrate in such a wonderful way
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ESP-I just sent an e-mail to Len, opened my e-mail and caught your excellent blog. The photography was so good– by tomorrow I will be telling people I was there. The older I get the more clearly I remember things that never happened. MT Please keep in touch.
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È stata una bellissima giornata. Stare con voi è sempre un grandissimo piacere.
Grazie e …Tanti Auguri per il nostro caro amico Leonardo
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Thank you Judy&Len,
What a wonderful BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. HAPPY HAPPY AND MANY MORE TO COME.
Wish I could have been there with you.
Love, Magda
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Hey Len: Looks like a splendid day. Wish we had been there to celebrate with you. But we’ll see you in September. We’re, at the moment, scheduled to arrive on Saturday, Sept. 18. We love you, Carrol and Larry
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I am so glad that you guys are able to be back in Cortona!!! Enjoy!!!!
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