Junefinnigan's Weblog

Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,

Now, I know you are reading this because you love to hear about all things Tuscan, so please forgive me for mentioning my visit to England last week.  You see, I really want to tell you about our stay at the ancient, and possibly haunted, Swan Hotel in Wells, Somerset.  My man and I were passing through and stayed overnight on the Sunday, then returned on the Wednesday night on the way to the airport.  The first night we had the body in the wardrobe scenario.  The doors were locked and we had to call room service to come and open it; it was a very old wardrobe and was firmly closed with the key missing.  The helpful man tried to prise it open but there was a nasty sound of wood splitting, so he stopped.  “Err, there’s something inside.”  He groaned.  “This has never happened before, we had better move you to another room!”

On our return, we were keen to hear about the wardrobe.  Did they find a body?  But they quickly changed the subject and strangely announced that they had upgraded us to the Cathedral Hotel Suite for the night!  Mmmm.  We opened the door and were swallowed by a massive three roomed suite, dripping in old gilt furniture and a huge bathroom with a freestanding copper bath!  When I went to the toilet in the dead of night, I heard a door creaking open.  When I came out, someone or something had opened the door to the old grandfather clock!  Oooooooh! Photos P Finnigan.  visit the website

Enough already.  Thursday evening and we were hugely relieved to be back in our little bit of Chianti.  I was away just five days and the Olive Harvest (Raccolta) seemed to have come and gone already!  Well, I think it has, because we could not see any olives on the trees, apart from a few stragglers.  Either that, or I hadn’t noticed how poor the harvest was looking beforehand!  Perhaps one of you locals could let me know!

Meanwhile, we have returned to C’era una Volta restaurant in Luccardo, to enjoy the Tartufo Bianco (white truffles).  Big shavings sprinkled over buttered pasta; food of the gods!  Some people don’t like the taste, so I’ve heard, but we just love it!  Photo J Finnigan.

And, it’s the time for roasting chestnuts (castagna or marone)!  The Italians love this season and are out there collecting bagfuls in the woodland.  Unfortunately, other hunters are about, the shooting kind, so things can get a little hairy out there.  The chestnuts are not just roasted, they are celebrated like so many other foods, with Festas across the country. Foto La Nazione.

Ah, and not to forget.  I always keep a look out for Autumn Fashion to drool over every week and I thought you might like these ‘hand-made in Italy’ shoes, from igi & Co.  Chunky smart shoes and ankle boots are all the rage here.  Visit  The website

Ok, must get on with the day job!  But, do drop me a line, I love to hear from my readers. Visit my official author site at June’s site

Salute June x