<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190131.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7882" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190131-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>In case you've missed the past few blog posts, here's a recap:

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On <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/" target="_blank">Day 356</a></strong>, I crash-boom-splatted, hit my head, cracked my helmet, and was absolutely fine except for a Massive Headache.  The tour leaders asked me to sit the rest of the day out.  Phooey.

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On <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/13/day-357-tuscan-coast-van-tour-and-montebelli-sigh/" target="_blank">Day 357</a></strong>, Massive Headache/Massive Head Squeeze continued, and I wisely chose to stay cooped up in a van with a hot-blooded Italian male who spoiled me rotten with cappuccinos, gelato, and excessive compliments.

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On Day 358, the last cycling day of our tour, I felt a bit better and decided to get my hiney back on that bike.

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Many of you who remember the details from Day 356 are now freaking out.  Everybody breathe!

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Yes, as it turns out, I had a concussion.  Yes, when you have a concussion, you are not allowed to do ANYTHING where you might hit your head again including...getting back on a bike.

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Why?

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Because if you slam you head into the pavement a second time, it could cause a brain bleed, which would cause the Late Bloomer to wilt.  Permanently.  Instead of blooming, she'd be pushing up daisies.

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<span style="font-size: x-large; color: #ff0000;"><strong>Oops!  </strong></span>

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Please recall that I didn't know I had a concussion until 12 days later when I checked my foggy, headachy self into the ER.

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On the morning of Day 358, with the knowledge I had at that time, I sucked it up and rode.

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The number one question that I've been asked since is, "Were you scared to ride after your crash?"

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No.  I wasn't scared.

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I was TERRIFIED!

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But as they said in that old deodorant commercial, "Never let them see you sweat."

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I opted for the role of weakest link and hid at the back of the pack where Fabio 1 coached me through my comeback.  It's easier conquering your fears when coaxed my a gregarious Italian man with a sexy accent.

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[caption id="attachment_7883" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Weakest Link Advantages: Private Tour Guide Who Breaks for Kitties"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190128.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7883" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190128-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_7885" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="And fills your water bottle for you."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190130.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7885" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190130-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

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I did it!  I cycled the full 28 miles that day, including a brutal uphill at the very end.

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I originally planned to ride for the morning only, but I was sidetracked in the old town of Castiglione della Pescaia, and therefore missed the van back to Montebelli.

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[caption id="attachment_7888" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sidetracked"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190134.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7888" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190134-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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After imbibing a surprisingly well-made mojito, and yet another pizza for lunch, I was determined to hike up the hill to the castle.  The first inhabitants of this town were the Etruscans and the Romans.  During medieval times, a fortress was built to defend the city from pirate attacks.

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[caption id="attachment_7890" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Yes, I needed to get up THERE. Maybe I should have drunk only 1/2 of the mojito."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190141.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7890 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190141-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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I am so glad that I missed that van.  Look at what I would have missed!

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190155.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7894" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190155-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190156.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7895" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190156-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

This is my new dream home.  I think I could live here.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190185.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7896" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190185-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190186.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7897" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190186-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>

The definition of Old World Charm, is it not?

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190189.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7898" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190189-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190158.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7899" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190158-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

The reward for the climb.  Fabio 1 told us that we'd be able to see the island of Monte Cristo off in the distance.  I think that's it in the background of the photo on the right.  (Yes, we're talking about the island known for The Count!)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190166.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7901" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190166-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190170.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7902" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190170-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

Left:  Oh, what a view!

Right:  Italian graffiti everything, and I do mean <em>everything</em>.  Click the photo on the right to enlarge and see what I mean.

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I took a risk, and it paid off.  Don't you just love it when that happens?

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Late Bloomer's Newfound Words of Wisdom:</strong>  </span>DO pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and ride all over again.  You might just create Memories of a Lifetime.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Late Bloomer's Newfound Words of Wisdom Part <em>Due</em> (That's "two" in Italian):</strong></span>  Never consume a mojito at lunch, followed by half a bottle of wine at dinner, followed by a nightcap, and then board a bouncy bus for Rome the next day.  To be continued....

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