Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World
“And, yet Another Beautiful Day in Tuscany” I said to my man, as we set out on our walk around the edge of the garden. I actually say this every day and it’s true, no matter what the weather, there is a beauty in these hills that can’t be hidden by storm clouds or even foggy mornings.
This morning, Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice the change in the long grasses covering the slope below our house. It wasn’t long ago that it was covered in wild flowers, now the grasses have taken over, yet they are beautiful in their own right. Soon, they will be strimmed away by our landlord, but meanwhile we will enjoy them. Everything is so lush and green.
8am and it was warm enough to sit down under the European Oak, which is now our shady spot for the summer. It’s amazing how beautiful the underside of a tree can be! Yes, I know, we have been on lock-down for two months, but this has only helped us to become even more aware of nature’s beauty. Already the garden was teeming with bees and birds; the Acacia Trees were buzzing and the Bee Eaters were sitting at the top having their breakfast! What a fabulous display. How is it that the Bee Eaters don’t get stung? That’s another Google search for later today.
Meanwhile, Italy has passed another celebration day without the usual celebrations! May 1st celebrates the successful completion of all the preparation in the fields for an abundance of fruit and olives in the Autumn and, the start of Summer. At least the fields and ortos (vegetable gardens) have been busy over the lockdown period; food and wine production in Italy cannot stop for a virus. Officially called La Festa dei Lavori (workers’ Day) it is also a public holiday. This time last year, beaches, parks and public gardens would be packed with Italians and their picnics, this year rather more quietly spent at home in the garden or on a balcony. How did you spend your day?
And so, tomorrow 4th May heralds the beginning of the easing of lockdown here in Italy. This will be a nervous time for many, including me, hoping that people continue to be vigilant, as nothing has changed other than reaching a point in time when some things needed reopening. We can visit with our family this week! Now that’s great news, but we are still supposed to wear our masks (a legal requirement) and keep to a safe distance….. We must still carry forms that are filled out saying why we are travelling and the reasons remain limited. Essential shopping, doctor, hospital and visiting parents. You can now go for long walks or runs but starting from your front door, no driving to beauty spots or parks for your exercise. More shops will be open, but this will not change the way we are doing things, I am happy with our local grocery store and farmacia (chemist). It will be June before we will see any resemblance to normality; restaurants, hairdressers and salons, my three longed for destinations! But we are amongst the lucky ones, despite my long greying locks and need for a pedicure. Thank you once again to Tuscany and our local Italians for keeping me sane and to my man for his wonderful sense of humour. Foto Alice Russell for Toscana Promotion Turistica.
OK, I need some inspiration for Sunday lunch. Ah, yes, I bought some fresh asparagus yesterday, add cheese and roast potatoes and Bob’s your Uncle! But first a nice chilled glass of Italian Chardonnay in the garden, that’ll postpone the need to cook……
Have a great week wherever you are in the world and stay safe. Everything will be alright!
Salute June x
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Meanwhile, back in the here and now, we have made the sad decision to cancel the Rock Chick Band concert in June. Whilst things may have improved by then and the restrictions lifted, we do not want to bring together friends and family and to put them at risk. It is particularly sad as it would have been our 10th anniversary as a band and I have enjoyed performing with the guys so much. But lets look to June 2021 and make sure it is a really good party!
And, on a much lighter note you will be glad to know that our lower terrace is ready to welcome you all, the minute it is safe to do so. Yesterday, my man and I enjoyed a bottle of Chardonnay there before lunch and it was glorious in the warm breeze with the perfumes wafting across from the Acacia, roses and cut grass. Whist we have been unable to go out and buy plants, the garden is still looking lovely thanks to nature’s own contribution
Well, the weather here on the edge of Chianti has been glorious. This morning’s early stroll around the garden turned out to be nice enough to stop and sit under the European Oak tree, where one of our English Garden Benches now sits. The Acacia trees are now dripping with perfumed blossoms and the view is fantastic; we will never tire of this glorious vista. There is no longer any traffic smog down in Certaldo’s valley and the view to San Gimignano is as clear as crystal. We are so looking forward to meeting our family there for a nice lunch soon.
However, both my man and I, who are normally avid readers, have not been able to concentrate on a book for weeks! Given so much quiet time, this is something I’m finding difficult to grasp. I have also been trying to get back into my fourth novel, as my heroine Joanna Wilde, is currently left suspended in Havana, waiting on my instructions!
So yesterday I re-visited a short story, which I started writing some years ago. It’s supposed to be a thriller where the people and animals in a nearby Italian town, disappear completely without trace and the panic this creates for outsiders. So I get into chapter two and I start seeing lizards everywhere and in particular a green and yellow one, which starts speaking to my main character, turning the whole thing into a comedy! Well, this will not do. My man hates the idea so I have ditched that project for the time being too! Lizard foto euroland.com
Now, one exciting thing happened a couple of days ago; my James Lakeland clothes order arrived, hurrah. Well, everything fitted, despite the extra weight around my middle! So, I have my new charcoal grey outfit for the concert in June. Now we have to wait to see if the concert can still take place……. I’ll let you know one way or another in May. Now I am waiting for the arrival of my new passport, but that’s another story.
Back in our lovely garden my man found a little Redstart fledgling, which had obviously had an aborted first flight. It was standing exactly on the spot where we like to sit with our aperitifvo, so being all heart we stayed in to give the parents a chance to feed it and encourage it to fly again. We have had a great number of Redstarts this year, oh and the first cuckoo is now here in one of our trees. We’ve not spotted it yet, but then they are difficult to see. The fledgling had gone in the morning, thank heavens.
One sad thing to tell you, our big and normally beautiful Ash Tree is in trouble. Only a quarter of the tree is in leaf, the rest looks dry and quite frankly dead. It really needs an experienced tree surgeon to sort it out, but not during lockdown. My man has had to move our park bench under the European Oak to get the shade needed for viewing the outside world. If you know anything about Ash Trees, do let me know. But hurrah, our English climbing Rose is in full bloom and there are masses of buds too! And, the perfume is to die for, so that’s good news.
Back to today. We had a postal delivery this morning from the commune di Certaldo, which contained four face masks! I must say I was impressed. Earlier this morning I was in our local village of Fiano, waiting in a short queue of six for groceries and everyone was wearing a mask. The queue swelled to about twenty before I went in and as is the way in Italy, a big circular queue was formed on both sides of the road, keeping a careful distance from each other but close enough for everyone to chat and greet friends. We always know who will go in before us, it’s the same in the doctor’s surgery. Rossella, my lovely friend who served me this morning, gave us an expensive bottle of Prosecco as a Easter (Pasqua) gift. It’s wonderful to be looked after so well; my shopping is also carried to the car! I wish I could hug her. Breaking News – we have been informed that the lockdown will continue until 3rd May, not unexpected.
Easter Sunday – Anyway, this will be the first Easter Sunday lunch without our daughter and family for some years. But we have arranged a video call for midday. My man and I went out for coffee again, or rather did a circuit of the garden and stopped off at our front door for coffee. Everything is a rich green, despite the lack of rain and smells wonderful as my man did a lot of strimming yesterday. The climbing red English rose is close to bursting it’s buds and the European Oak has revealed it’s catkins! We heard the first cuckoo and think we saw the first swallow. Apparently the swallows hit turbulent weather over Greece last week so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Lots of geraniums have survived the winter under covers, they look a bit straggly, but we cannot replace them until the lock-down ends. Still, some are in flower already. Oh, and the Florentine Irises are blooming, and the ancient Oak Tree, which guards our gate, is once more leafed up! So nature carries on regardless; we are so lucky.
I must say that I have been very impressed with the way technology has brought all the delights of Easter onto our computer and TV screens. Church Services (if it is your thing) family get togethers and drinks with friends! We tend to treat the Easter Weekend as a few days holiday, as we work with the UK system, our clients being mainly based there. Here in Italy, most food shops will be closed today and tomorrow as normal. But it is a very strange time…..
Meanwhile, if you want to visit the original Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci you can do a virtual tour by visiting 
Bocelli’s video on You Tube, recorded live in the empty Duomo in Milan. If you want to feel the real emotion that exists here, watch it on 
From my dressing room window I saw it slinking toward the shrub where I think Phil the Pheasant’s hens are hiding out. I threw a stone, which is a pretty one I collected from the garden some years ago; it bounced off the fence and rolled onto the lawn. Instead of running off, the little fox rushed over and grabbed it in its mouth, then started playing with it like a puppy. I said ‘Buon Giorno’ and it sat down and gazed up at me, obviously fascinated. My man managed to get a foto, if a little out of focus, but you can see how young it was. Beautiful. So, we are not short of visitors!
But that’s all changed! We have been inundated with visitors that don’t seem to understand how important it is to stay at home. Firstly, Phil our resident Pheasant, has invited two hens to stay and was flaunting himself below our bedroom window this morning. He’s obviously feeling very randy as he was fluffing his feathers up to give the impression that he is twice his normal size! When he started jumping his startled hens, I had to look away, what an exhibitionist!
Meanwhile, the garden is full of visitors including the stunning and musical Hoopie. The disturbed earth around our new compost heap seems very attractive to them. Also a pair of Jays, numerous wood pidgeons flocks of redstarts and many other birds whose names escape me.
And, on the subject of Compost Heaps, we are very proud to have completed our very first version of one, yesterday morning. This then created the need for a wine break before lunch. It is rather shameful that we have only just created one after having spent most of our lives living in the countryside with good sized gardens. My beautiful Earth Mother daughter has been growing veg and using compost heaps for years. I am not the greatest of cooks and she asked me very seriously on WhatsApp ‘What are you eating Mum?” “I can cook if I have to!” I snorted. “Oh, I thought you might have ordered a flow of ready made meal deliveries!” She chuckled. Cheeky monkey.
Butterflies before, but they were back and getting very close to where we were sitting. Out of interest we had previously looked up their lifespan and were astonished to read that in butterfly form they only live for ten days! As one almost alighted on my man’s chest he commented “So, they have only ten days to work out if they are male, female or transgender.” He said very seriously. “Mmm. I think that one is female” I grinned. Foto it.123rf.com
Well, I could waffle on but there is one thing I want to mention. London based James Lakeland, who is the brother of an English friend, designs beautiful women’s clothes that are made in Italy. Like many fashion shops, he is really struggling at the moment. He has managed to pay his staff so far and has now reduced his prices so low, you have to get on-line and start buying! I have placed an order, so that’s my next concert outfit sorted, god knows when it will arrive here in Italy (Italy’s postal system is unpredictable), but it is worth it to support at least one deserving fashion house. James also delivers worldwide! Foto from James Lakeland Blogsite. 
Yesterday, I would have been blogging to you but we had no internet, which is so crucial for any communication, writing and work-wise. So, I start the working week with this blog. I am no stranger to working from home. Over the last sixteen years, I have become very experienced in commuting between Italy and London. As technology improved further, I could spend more time in Tuscany where my man and I both have comfortable working offices. Video meetings have become the norm and of course email has virtually replaced hard copy mailings. But there is nothing quite like face to face meetings and perhaps a nice lunch with a client. But these pleasures must now go on hold.
Anyway, here in our lovely little bit of Tuscany, on the edge of Chianti, we are safely tucked away in our country home. This foto was taken as the sun was rising on the opposite side of the house. We have had two weeks of glorious weather, so much so that I have actually got a bit sunburnt! Spring plants and trees are changing daily and we now make a point of walking the boundaries in the early mornings, to marvel at how life in the wild still goes on unhindered by any viruses. Young fruit trees, fig, mulberry and pomegranate are in blossom, as are numerous shrubs that remain nameless due to my lack of knowledge.
Slopes of wild flowers and fungi, our English Climbing Rose looks very healthy and the bees are going into overdrive. Yesterday, we enjoyed an aperitivo before lunch and watched the dance of the Swallow Tail Butterflies swirling around the Lilac Tree. So, the best thing I can do is send you some Foto’s to remind you that if you have not yet cancelled your holiday in Tuscany, do consider postponing instead.
We are very fortunate to be living in a beautiful converted former Monastery Farmhouse. It is quirky, yet comfortable. Our landlord had an artist come in before we moved here to paint this gorgeous mural on the sitting room wall. So in the picture, you can see the view from my armchair, which we can enjoy no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Preparations for our rock concert on June 19 continues, in the hope that restrictions will have lifted sufficiently for us all to get together again. Stefano, my lead guitarist, has approved the repertoire, so we will have eighteen great rock songs for you.
Well, here we are, Sunday morning and we have not gone out for our usual coffee. By some stroke of luck I bought a proper Italian Espresso machine a few months ago! At 8.30, after home made espresso, my man and I strolled around our country garden and felt invigorated.
The sun is shining and spring is leaping forth as if nothing is happening in the country or indeed the world around us. I weeded a couple of pots and my man put yesterday’s washing outside in the sunshine. If one has to be in Lock-down, I can’t think of a better place to be.
Anyway, we are still making plans for our 10th annual Rock Concert on 19th June in our lovely Tuscan garden. It’s important to have things to look forward to and I have a gut feeling that June will be a good month. After all I was named after the month having been born on 23rd! So far, June has never let me down!
Well it can take one’s breath away and I’m talking about the stunning view from our lovely home, which we see every morning in different colours. This picture was yesterday morning as the sun was rising and encouraging the mist to form in the valleys below us. We have had a lot of cold damp weather and this combined with sunshine, is the time of year to see fabulous misty sculptures, ‘lakes’ and hilltops resembling ‘islands’ cut off by the mist.
And yes, today Sunday, is yet another beautiful day in Tuscany. It’s cold but the air is fresh and a little damp, which accentuates the gorgeous winter smells of the countryside around us. Blossom is now everywhere, various fruit trees, hawthorn and the tree in the picture, please remind me of it’s name, in the piazza. Our local village of Fiano was it’s usual self. Everyone still smiley if keeping a respectful distance apart and, of course, doing jerky movements that should have ended in hugs or handshakes, but didn’t for the obvious reasons. This last week was a little strange without the sound of children laughing and squealing in the village playground. We met young Giacomo, who is about eleven or twelve, maybe thirteen, kicking a lonely football around the village. He’s the lovely boy who found my stolen purse a couple of years ago after we went to the theatre. Ah, and our local ceramic workshop and gallery, Ceramiche D’arte Carbini, is open today, so that’s another good thing! I always wave to Gabriella who today was hidden behind a massive vase she was painting! Do call in if you are passing through.
I have worked hard at finding some good news for you as the papers are dominated by the virus. Firstly, I see our very good friend from Tavernelle, the modern artist Patrizio Landolfi is exhibiting in Florence. He painted this beautiful David Bowie picture, which I would love to own but is too big for my limited wall space. You will find more of his paintings hanging on the walls at Osteria la Gramola in Tavernelle. I love his work.
I have also found a promotion for Italian Cheeses. I absolutely adore Italian cheese, from the squidgy buffala mozzarella to the mature pecorino. I confess to have stocked up a little as cheese will keep us going indefinitely, come what may!
Well, must start thinking about Sunday lunch. We are well stocked with food, no evidence of shortages here in Tuscany. Ah, I think I’ll do Ceci Pancakes stuffed with spinach and feta, that’s a firm favourite. I must confess that it’s all very easy, as I buy the ready made Torta di Ceci at the Coop. Judy Witts Fancini, our local celebrity cook told me how to make my own, and that’s also easy. One cup of ceci flour to an equal amount of water, whisk and fry like normal pancakes. (Ceci translates to chick Peas) But I have a stock of the Coop ones, so today…….sorry Judy. You should look the lovely Judy up, she’s got a fabulous cook book of Tuscan favourites. 
Meanwhile, the Italian Government are up to their usual wittering about leadership, the original coalition fell apart and the current arrangement is not working either. Reading the newspaper, I came across this brilliant photo taken in 1953. It is the mayor of Florence giving a speech and just look at the faces on the guys surrounding him! You could say ‘nothing has changed’, everyone is seriously bored listening to all the moaning and groaning.
But enough of that. It’s the 1st March, hurrah, and the month for celebrating Tartufu (truffles). There will be Festas all over the place including our local town of Certaldo, Volterra and Florence. If you have not been to Volterra, you really should. It’s about an hour from us and is a beautiful ancient city with a great history. You could combine the visit with the Tartufo celebrations. Yesterday, we went to our local restaurant C’era una Volta where my man enjoyed a delicious pasta dish with Tartufo Marzolo (March Truffles) grated over the top. Yummy. Sometime this week we will probably head over to Tavernelle and Osteria La Gramola, where they do wonderful creative dishes with seasonal produce, like the Tartufo. I’ll let you know.
Back in our lovely winter garden the daffodils are coming out. I took this foto this morning as it looked a little lonely on it’s own. We will not be uncovering the rest of the plants until 1st April; we look forward to that. The other day, we were visited by a big male fox and he may have gone off with one of our resident wild pheasant hens, as Phil the Cock Pheasant has been making a lot of noise of late. I saw the naughty fox with a large bird in his mouth being chased by Phil, it may have been a pigeon but probably not. Whats happening in your garden?
Yesterday (Saturday) morning, I walked into La Dispensa, our local grocery shop and caffe bar in Fiano, to find the perfect person at the long table, ideal for lifting my spirits on a cold morning. ‘Permesso’? I said quietly, as I settled down with my coffee opposite Daniel Craig. Well, a person can dream and I do have a very fertile imagination. I smiled at Daniel and mouthed ‘salute’ not too loudly as people might have thought me acting a little batty again, although most of the locals consider me to be the eccentric English writer. I know, I’ve been told this! Then I read about the imminent release of the latest Bond Film; I just can’t wait. Fortunately, the Italians love Bond too, so there’s always a lots of info about.
Meanwhile, you would have to be deaf and blind not to have noticed all the fashion parades going on throughout Europe and especially Milan. An interesting article in La Republica mention the comments made by 85 year old Georgio Armani. He likened semi-nude models to being put through a ‘form of rape’ which he does not approve of. Thinking about it, there are so many miserable looking models about, I do wonder if they are being forced to wear things they hate or are uncomfortable in. Come to think of it, the world of modelling must have as much pressure as the film world.
But, thank you once again to the lovely feminine designs presented by Luisa Spagnoli, who regular readers will know is one of my favourite designers. Look at this gorgeous outfit, feminine, not revealing yet still has a certain sexiness. Reminds me of warm sunny days walking along the beach with the wind in my hair. You know, that wonderful feel good factor. I love it!
Now, I cannot let you go without a discussion on Rugby. Are you a fan? Well it’s currently the Six Nations season and my man and I are glued to the TV. It’s about the only time it gets switched on; if you lived in Italy you may not want to watch Italian TV. Anyway, I thought I would mention the high quality of Women’s Rugby these days. Whilst Italy struggles to beat the formidable men’s teams, the women are very strong indeed. It will be interesting to compare the final results of men and women on the score boards, at the end of the tournament.
And, finally, whilst we are praising Italian women, let us not forget the incredible female partisans during the occupied years in the second world war. They risked life and limb to save allied soldiers and get them out of the country during a very vicious and frightening time. I give a little mention about this time in my novel ‘The Italian Connection,’ having met and interviewed a number of men and women who were active in those days.
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