Junefinnigan's Weblog

Benvenuti and Welcome to all my Lovely Followers

The Cocktail Bar at Jam Caffe in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

So very sorry for the lack of blog last weekend, but had to dash off unexpectedly to England on some family business.  I can’t tell you how happy I was to be back in our lovely little bit of Chianti last Saturday.  If you arrive in Certaldo by train or car at around six to seven the evening, go straight into Jam Caffè next to the station and enjoy one of their wonderful cocktails.  You will find yourself winding down really quickly after your long journey.

A reveller Al Festa dell’Unicorno. La Repubblica

‘So, what went on during the last two weeks?’ You ask.    Well, before I left for England, I read in the paper over morning coffee that Vinci, Leonardo’s birthplace near Florence, was once again hosting the Festa dell’Unicorno.  This is a crazy event into which Italians flood from miles away, purely to dress up in whatever takes their fancy.  The theme this year seemed to be ‘fantasy’ so anything went.  The Italians just love this sort of stuff!

Meanwhile, our local village of Fiano was also enjoying a weekend of Festivities, with an exhibition of old photos, music and of course lots of food, eating in the piazza, which had been cleared of cars for the three-day event.  We couldn’t get to this but the talk in La Dispensa, Fiano’s bar and alimentare, was all about it, and the flags are still flying in the village.  We’ll definitely try to get to next years events.

Terry Davies, The Potter, chats to me as we wait for the dancing to start at La Poggiolaia. Foto Vitalita.

And, on the previous weekend, we went to the Vitalita Wine and Dance event, right next door to us at La Poggiolaia.  www.poggiolaia.it  It was nice to catch up with friends and to enjoy the beautiful setting, so adored by the tourists who come back every year to stay.  The dancing was artistic, the performers wearing white t-shirts that had just been painted on the back by the guest artist.  It was all very twisty, turny and athletic.  Terry Davies the Potter, was there and he is currently exhibiting his ceramics at Pignano Art Gallery.  www.borgopignano.com

Remembering Farty Barty. Photo P Finnigan

Lest we forget, it is hard to believe that Farty Barty the Tuscan cat went up to cat heaven a year ago!  I still miss his comforting presence and you will find a chapter dedicated to him in my latest novel ‘The Italian Connection’.  ‘Love you Barty’ xx

Meanwhile, back in the Tuscan countryside, we are now  suffering badly from the intense heat and lack of rain.  Temperatures are expected to be up to forty-six celsius this week, so you may wish to postpone your next visit to Tuscany.  But we are still enjoying ourselves, and yesterday cooked lunch for the family, eating in our lovely big Tuscan kitchen, as it was too hot outside.  My view is this, when things are not perfect, drink copious amounts of Italian wine!

OK, enough of that and time to get this blog finished and sent out to you lovely people.  Do drop me a line at june.finnigan@virgin.net  I love to hear from you!

Salute June x

Ps Do visit my Author Site at www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan