In a nearby village

We stayed in an old farmhouse near Norcia, with Simone and Marzia. The house was part of an ancient village which is now mostly deserted; in fact only a religious hermit and one couple live close by. About half of the dozen or so structures in the village are now completely abondoned. Some are crumbling to ruins. In Simone's family's place - where we stayed - the lowest floor of three, which used to be a place for the animals, is now the kitchen and living room. We feasted there until the early hours of the New Year on the beautiful local food. We cooked just about everything in the fireplace, even the pasta. . . It was freezing outside and only a little warmer inside, thus Fede's wardrobe. She was wearing nine layers on top.