Tuscany Modern Soul Weekend

Review by: Sean & Alison Treacy

Well its 3am and the alarm has gone off (oh my god it's early) , our lift arrives courtesy of Sam our travelling companion and guest sharing our room (hope he doesn't snore or much worse !) .

This promises to be a superb event organised by Terry Jones and Frank Ciacone. We arrive at Liverpool Airport for our 6.30am flight to Pisa and meet our good friends Adrienne and Lorna who are already having a ciggie outside and a much needed caffine fix.

The flight took two hours and I think the party had already started as we never stopped laughing - think that it was the lack of sleep - a little bit of hysteria maybe aswell, we new we were in for a good weekend, we arrived at Pisa Airport and as time went by more and more soulies arrived from all over the UK and the alfresco cafe was completely taken over by us. Lots of familiar faces and some not so familiar, but everyone was so friendly we soon made new friends.

The coaches arrived to take us to our venue for the next 4 days, the journey was to take 3 hours. I would never have believed a coach journey would be such great fun, the scenery was spectacular and the sun was shining, what a good start. Some comedy moments from Sam and some virtual comedy from Lorna (you had to be there).

We finally arrived and were greeted by our hosts - with a glass of champers to toast our arrival - after the meet and greet we made our way by mini bus to our accomodation, the complex was vast so we needed transport! Our home for the next 3 days was a beautiful farm house, 3 bedrooms,2 bathrooms , living are and kitchen (very nice!!) and the most beautiful views. We were sharing with Adrienne, Lorna and Lorrine. Well time to get our glad rags on ready to party!

Back to the main house for some wonderful Italian food and wine, then it was over to the main venue, the dj's there were playing some blinding tunes, John Kane, Bob Jefferies and Terry Jones did us proud, 3.30 arrives and we are all partyed out (we had been up for 24hours) so to the farmhouse for some much needed zzzzzzz's.

We all awoke Saturday morning quite bright eyed and bushy tailed deciding to walk to the main house for breakfast, Sam and myself ahead of the girls who seemed miles behind us, talking and getting stones out of their hip hops!!! Brunch was very welcoming, lots to eat and lots of coffee aswell!!

Then came more dancing in the afternon, unfortunately the weather was a bit cloudy but hey-ho that doesn't matter we were dancing inside anyway, time flew and it was time to get ready for the big one!!!!

Saturday night!!! Dinner was excellent with wild boar on the menu and much laughter on our table as we were joined by the Scottish crew, great people , very friendly and very funny. Fed and watered we returned to the venue for what was one of the most memorable nights I have experienced so far - the dj's made this a proper night to remember. My defining moment of the evening was Bob Jefferies playing Norman Hutchins "I really love you" - he was like a preacher behind those decks, the place went mental, it totally made my night! Before we knew it, it was 7am (god that went quick!) so off to bed for some shut eyeand also to let the painters re-paint the floor where Sam had worn it away! God that man can dance!!

Sunday afternoon, sun shining, 3 sirens sunbathing i.e. Adrienne, Lorna and Corrine (they didnt bother going to bed, hardcore or what!!!), so after a shower it was back to the main house for a traditional Italion Sunday lunch, wow, it was worth paying extra for that, although somebody was very hungover and didnt eat that much, it wasn't me!!!

We headed down to the pool where the party was in full swing , iwas quite surreal dj's playing the tunes, people messing around in the pool, people dancing on the verges, we thought that life doesn't get much better than this.

Our last night was wonderful , we all ate alfresco-quite a lot of people had gone home, so there was only the die hards left. We were so glad we had booked an extra night as everyone was still in party mood with much laughter and singing going on! Off for our last dance and drink, well some of us anyway, the girls decided to call it a night about 11.30pm as the coach was picking up at 5am (they do need their beauty sleep) so it was left to Sam and myself to fly the flag and we did till 2.30am getting to bed about 3am only to be woken at 4am, so in a drunk and numb state I stumbled about trying to get myself together knowing I had a 3hour coach journey ahead, but that didn't matter as according to my wife I slept the whole 3 hours to the airport with my mouth open catching flies. Time for a quick coffe and our flight home. I remember thinking how fast the weekend had gone, wish we had stayed longer, but the memories I have from the weekend I have with me for ever, it was truly memorable.

So Terry and Frank, if you decide to hold this event in 2008 you can definately count us in! A big thank you to all the dj's and staff at Cortevecchia, you all did yourselves proud, a massive thanks to Adrienne whos idea it was to go and also to Sam,Lorna and Corrine true soulmates who made our weekend so special.

Cheers!!

ps. Alison says she has more laughter lines after this weekend, but aint bothered, it was worth it!

Sean & Alison Treacy

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