Junefinnigan's Weblog

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Farty Barty guards the villa on top of the trellis over the Orange Trees.
Photo J Finnigan

We can’t help but notice how fat and lethargic Farty Barty the cat has become.  But when we think back over the years, and as Autumn takes over, he does start to lay on the fat layers and thickens his fur.  He is also building his energy to service the girlies come January and February.  In case you were not aware, Barty is half-wild.  He will sometimes disappear for up to five days, then return starving and exhausted, lying around the garden and kitchen recuperating.  The mind boggles as to what he gets up to.

Back in the countryside, the grape harvest is winding down and the ground around the olive trees is being cleared for the olive picking.  Whilst the grape harvest has been good, we are not expecting such an abundant olive crop.  Sadley, insect infestation  and desease has been a problem, so the price of Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil is likely to be much higher this year.  Thinking about that unique taste makes my mouth water, particularly on Fettunta, that is day old bread toasted, rubbed with garlic and drizzled with oil.  Mmmmm.

It’s also the time of year to enjoy white truffles (tartufo bianco).  We had Tagliatelle con Tartufo for lunch at ‘C’era Una Volta’ yesterday, expensive, but worth every cent.   If you haven’t tasted Tartufo in Italy, you really must!  Two americans joined us, having just arrived for ten days, and we enjoyed a lively discussion.  Ginger, if you are reading this, do get on and write that book and have a great holiday.

Alice Cooper.
Photo – Alice Cooper official photo gallery

My man went to London for a few days last week and I spent one evening playing loud music including some Alice Cooper.  Don’t ever ask me to watch his stage act, however, I really like ‘Poison’ which I have added to my repertoire for next year’s concert.  Our good friend and doctor Flavio, suggested that I also do ‘Bed of Nails’, so I’ll check this out.  When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to do an Alice Cooper, she said “Oh, that won’t be too difficult for you June!” Did she mean the song or the image?  she had gone before I had time to think about what she had said……

After my man returned from a successful trip to London, he was finding the Italian attitude irritating.  Now don’t get me wrong, but I do understand how he feels sometimes, particularly the parking on pavements, walking the roads with their dogs on the outside, letting their small children run loose in a busy car park etc  Obviously, this doesn’t apply to all Italians, but every day we get a little annoyed at something.

Autumn on the upper Terrace.
Photo J Finnigan

However, life eeez good, life eeez now.  We celebrated yet another anniversary at the weekend, and I have to say, celebrating here in Tuscany with that view and a lovely glass of prosecco would be difficult to beat anywhere else.  The garden is still beautiful with the bouganvillea in full bloom and all the rich autumn colours are beginning to creep through.

Well, I must crack on with the day job and look forward to speaking with you next time.  Have a great week.

Do drop me a line.

Amore June x

ps If you have read ‘My Father, The Assassin’, I would love it if you could pop back to Amazon and leave a review.  Thank you lovely readers.