Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers
On the way to Certaldo for coffee, my man and I started talking about the fragile planet, I said that I hoped it would survive for at least a few more generations. Then he said, “It’s just as likely that the world will end as we know it, after being invaded by aliens from outer space.” He said, matter of factly. “In fact, I think they’re already here and living in Chelsea!” My man knows a lot of things, so I asked how he knew this. “Well, you know, all those Hooray Henrys!” I smiled, he could be right, who am I to argue.
A school bag loaded with back problems.
La Republica
Anyway, here we are into the second week of September and its back to school for all the children after a very long summer break and I want to tell you about something that has always concerned me. Now we Brits had great spacious school desks full of books, pens, pencils geometry sets and so on. Here in Italy the children carry the whole lot around on their backs, weighing as much as 11kg in some cases! Yes, you heard me right. In addition, the parents have to fork out over 200 euros at the start of each year to buy all the new books, including the heavy study ones, for the kids to carry around. Now I am not complaining, but stating a fact and at last this dreadful arrangement is getting some attention from the press, well at least here in Tuscany. Is it like this in other European countries? I’d be interested to know.
Ristorante Borgo Antico, the Terrazza.
Foto J Finnigan
On a brighter note, I promised to let you have some pictures of restaurant Borgo Antico in Tavernelle. Last Sunday we had lunch outside in their lovely terrazza in glorious weather. This of course is how Sundays in Tuscany should be spent, or with a big Italian family in the open air, the Mamas and Nonnas having done the cooking of course, not me. Anyway, back at Borgo Antico, Katia presented us with their signature Crostini, vegetarian version. This is basically toasted bread with delicious mixed toppings with an emphasis on Mozzarella.
Vegetarian Crostini, my gluten free version!
Foto J Finnigan
Then at our next table a lovely young Italian couple arrived and introduced themselves and their black lab. He, Stefano Dini, has an Antique Restoration warehouse in Tavernelle, so if you like Italian Antique Furniture go to http://www.portaemporum.com Then our pasta course arrived and we had a veggie version of the Chef’s ragu sauce. It was seriously delicious! I can’t remember if we had a desert later, but I do remember being stuffed after the pasta. So here is the website again and if you go tell Katia I recommended you, she’ll spoil you to death. http://www.borgoanticorestaurant.com
The Vendemmia. This article says that 2,680 litres of Chianti wine was produced in Tuscany in 2015. This year the production will be higher! La Nazione.
OK, what next? Oh yes, as you probably know, the Vendemmia (grape harvest) is in full swing. Thank heavens for our new home as we no longer have tractors and trailers thundering past our kitchen window. It is a very noisy time of year and tourists coming to stay in the Agritorismo centres are in for a shock if they think they are going to enjoy a quite relaxing holiday in the Chianti Hills. But many come to actually participate in the harvest or at least to watch the crushing of the grapes and no, they are not crushed under foot anymore, it’s all mechanical but interesting nonetheless.
Beppe Grillo and Alessandro di Battista. La Republica
Back in the world of politics, one character who I haven’t talked about before is Beppe Grillo. No, he’s not a Bistecca (steak) chef, he is the leader of the largest opposition party, Cinque Stella. Looking like a scruffy aging rock singer, he has a huge following and could well be our next leader. He’s been strutting his stuff on stage with support staff like Alessandro di Battista (Deputato della XVII Legislatura della Republica Italiana con Cinque Stella) Did you get that? If not do read it again or don’t worry about it. To be honest I’ve only brought this to your attention because Alessandro is a bit of a hunk!
Before I forget, if he had still been alive Freddie Mercury would have been seventy a couple of days ago. What is the relevance of this you may ask? None at all, I answer, I just thought you might like to remember him too.
So, oh yes, it will soon be olive picking time and I hear tell that the dreaded Olive flies are back. If the harvest is ruined, the prices of Extra Virgin Olive Oil will soar again, but let’s be positive, I’m sure our locals will get it sorted.
Phew, well that’s enough for today, I’m going to twist my man’s arm and say that I don’t feel like cooking today and can we go back to Borgo Antico… But O Dio, they are fully booked, so we are off to C’era una Volta instead.
Have a really great week and do drop me a line. I love to hear from you.
Salute June x
Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan
‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.
‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.
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