Junefinnigan's Weblog

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

Well, there I was thinking that I had missed the Olive Harvest but it was only a trick of the Autumn light!  Hidden under those silver green leaves were plenty of olives, green and black, just waiting to be crushed at the local frantoio.  And, to really make my day, my man and I arrived at Ristorante C’era una Volta to be greeted by Paolo, who that morning had harvested his own olives and we helped him in with a huge churn of the freshly cold pressed nectar!  Paolo dipped a jug into the bright green oil and presented us with spoons and bread for tasting.  Oh wow!  There are some tastes in Tuscany that can take your breath away, fresh oil is at the top of the list along with the seasonal Tartufo Bianco (White Truffles).  Foto J Finnigan.

Then, of course, there is the morning delight of going out for a cup of espresso.  Today, Sunday, we decided to pop down to Jam Caffe in Certaldo, so that my man could enjoy his favourite pastry and then take a little passaggiata (stroll).  Foto J Finnigan.

We were quite early, what with the clocks having gone back an hour, so very few shops were open.  But I was really impressed to see a notice on our only local charity shop door, saying they would be open at 10am.  The theme is ‘Vintage’ and my sister-in-law, who lives in England, will be squealing with envy as she is not here.  She loves to search the charity shops for ‘labels’.  This Sunday opening event is to support the local Red Cross, who provide an excellent voluntary service in the area.  Find the shop in Via Giugnio, Certaldo.  Foto J Finnigan.

After this we drove up to Fiano, for a second coffee and pastry!  I like to read the papers in La Dispensa and catch up with the local and national news.  This morning there was a full page picture article about Lega di Chianti (League of Chianti).  Now my first reaction was to wonder why a man in robes was holding a viscious looking mallet above peoples’ heads!  My man commented that it looked like yet another form of abuse (joking).  So I looked the league up and discovered that they were a Military Political Alliance created by the Republic of Florence (Firenze) in 1384, to protect the lands of Chianti.  OK, so the league continues alongwith a strange investiture ceremony and they all take it very seriously! Italy does seem to have some rather gruesome looking traditions!  Foto La Nazione.  For more info about La Lega di Chianti visit their Wikipedia site

And finally, I know I have already posted a hunk of the month, but I thought you might like to see this rather gorgeous Italian all wrapped up in a beautiful soft cashmere sweater! I make no excuses!

Well, must go now.  Off to Sunday lunch at La Gramola in Tavernelle.  Great place for gluten free!

Salute June x

PS do drop me a line and/or visit my official author site at My Website