Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
Fresh Tuscan Grapes on my kitchen table. Fot J Finnigan
As we strolled through the carpark in Fiano on Saturday morning the air was full of the sweet smell of crushed grapes and back in our little bit of countryside the cracks in the tarmac outside Villa Bacio were full of wine overflows, you could almost get drunk on the fumes! So yes, the vendemia or grape harvest is almost complete and the new young wines are already being drunk by the locals. What a wonderful, if noisy time of year!
Earlier in the week two copies of that gorgeous magazine Envy Italy arrived. I do like the hard copies, but you can also read it free on-line, so no need to miss out! My beautiful daughter Sharon is joint Editor of this lovely publication, which is full of everything you need to know about the best things that Italy has to offer. The theme is ‘Eat, Stay, Love’ and this Autumn Winter edition has a focus on ‘gourmet’ featuring the finest foods and wines in the Country. Wonderful features too, so go on spoil yourselves! Envy Italy Mag
Meanwhile, Fiano is preparing for the formal celebration of the winning the much coveted banner at the Calambur event a couple of weeks ago! If you woud like to meet the locals and join in the celebrations get your tickets ASAP!
Something else to celebrate here in Italy is the wonderful range of mouth watering cheeses. Italy’s main source of milk for cheesemaking is from the herds of sheep, many are moved across the countryside herded by shepherds from one bit of pasture to another.
They are often assisted by the big gorgeous white Maremmena sheepdogs, easily mistaken for sheep, which certainly fools any predators! The resulting cheese is called Pecorino (Italian for sheep) and is truly delicous ranging form a very soft young version to a very mature hard one. Other cheeses to love include Buffala Mozzarella and the creamy soft Burrata, which I adore, the latter being made from both cow and sheep’s milk, so you woud need to check if avoiding Lactose. Foto petGuide.com
Meanwhile, yesterday Sunday, the weather was lovely and Roberto Manetti, our local sculptor, finally unvieled his lovely sculpture, ‘Le Speranza che Le Mani’, which does not easily translate into English. So perhaps one of my local Italian readers might send me the English version. The sculpture shows three of Roberto’s charming little characters holding hands across a globe, which signifies to me the reaching out in friendship across the world. I love it. Foto J Finnigan
And, the final celebration of the week was Silvio Berlusconi’s 83rd birthday. Well, love him or hate him, he keeps forging on, at the edge of the political scene with his long suffering and much younger fiancé, Francesca Pascale, who was absent from the birthday party in Arcora. How long are you normally a fiancé? It’s been a few years now. I wonder who is postponing the wedding; Silvio, Francesca or Dudu the dog. There are rumours……watch this space!
Well, enough of that already. Time to get this blog off to you lovely people and relax in the sun before lunch.
have a great week and do drop me a line. I love to hear from my readers.
Salute June x
PS visit my website at My site
The Continuing Adventures of Joanna Wilde
Meanwhile, that other great Italian beauty and brilliant actress Sophia Loren, has been celebrating her 85th! Can you believe it? she still scrubs up very well indeed and why not I hear you say. For me Sophia will always be the most iconic Italian actress of all time. She was so good at serious and funny parts, playing opposite the likes of Peter Sellers and Marciello Mastroianni. I have a whole collection of DVD’s and, dare I say, old videos of her films that I will watch again at Christmas! Just noticed in the paper that she accompanied eight-five year old Valentino to his Green Carpet Fashion Award ceremony! Rock on Sophia!
Back in our local village of Fiano, my man and I take our morning coffee and read the newspapers at La Dispensa. By the way, La Dispensa translates to The Larder. An English friend thought it was a little confusing because it sounds like Dispensary, which is normally found in Chemists. So here you are, the true meaning is correct as it is a grocers, butchers and bar combined. Back to yesterday’s paper and I noticed an advert for a new Festive Art Exhibiton at the famous Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. This one I must attend as it brings together the likes of Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso! It starts on 28 September and runs until 12 January. Yes, I know, yet another excuse to have lunch in Florence!
Meanwhile, September is the month for the Annual Slow Travel Fest, which is hugely popular and takes walkers slowly and gently through the Tuscan countryside whilst stopping off for wine and food tastings, Art and Music. What a lovely way to spend three days. Go to 
Roberto Manetti, our lovely sculptor friend and all round nice man, has donated a sculpture to Fiano, but oh no, heavy rain has postponed the unveiling so make sure you are there next Sunday 29 September at 7pm instead! The sculpture will be unveiled in the Communual Gardens behind the apartment block opposite La Dispensa. My man and I visited Roberto’s studios a couple of years ago, his characters seem to be part of their own world of little people and, most of his works have a little dog or cat looking out. I just love them. See next week’s blog for pictures of the actual event!
As I begin writing this blog, which I hope you will enjoy, I have started to sneeze and I feel a little fluish. Well, not surprising, as we have just returned from ten days in the UK where we were surrounded by people with colds and viruses! You may not be surprised to know that living in Tuscany, I rarely catch a cold. We were in England for a mix of family gatherings and work, and by the time we got back to our lovely bit of Chianti, we were both exhausted. On a lighter note we did have some nice moments, like the strawberry cocktail served up with a rosemary twig at the Italian restaurant Ask in Wells, Somerset. We also had a good lunch at the Fountain Inn there.
We then travelled to Exmouth in Devon and cannot recomend any of the eateries or hotels there. So other than downing a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio with my lovely school chum Jane from Spain, whilst watching some rugby on the TV in the pub, nothing nice to say!
But what a relief to get home to Beautiful Tuscany and to find that yesterday our local village of Fiano has won back the coveted banner having been victorious at the annual Calambur event! Bravi to all our lovely italian friends who participated! This event is a bit like the UK’s It’s a Knockout which was televised and hugely popular in the 60’s and 70’s.
And, I read in the paper that Fiano had also won the title Contessa della Cipolla, which is awarded for the most magnificent dishes based on the delicious Certaldo Red Onion. Wow, the talent is unlimited in Fiano. Yes it’s that time of year again, the markets are brimming over with the locally grown beauties. No silly, I’m still talking about the onions!
Well, would you believe it, Silvio Berlusconi’s ex-wife Veronica Lario has has been told by an Italian court that she will no longer receive her monthly alimony payments of 1.4 million euros, yes, read this again 1.4 million euros, from billionaire Silvia Berlusconi, as it has ruled that Silvio had been unfairly treated! Who the hell really needs that much a month anyway? Well, Veronica does have cash deposits of some 16 million, jewels and a real estate business, so methinks she won’t go hungry. There will, however, be another small dent to her wealth as she will have to pay back around 60 million of alimony, which the courts said she had no right to! Well, that’s the Berlusconi planet for you. Meanwhile, it looks like his political career is on the rise again too! Watch this space. foto La Nazione.
Meanwhile, back in the real world and in my case, our little bit of Chianti, it’s fig or Ficchi time! I love Italian figs and Paolo has just started serving them up at Ristorante C’era Una Volta in Lucardo. When the olive wood platter arrived with a wonderful display of figs and Pecorino cheeses, I couldn’t wait to dig in, then remembered you guys! I should have taken a foto before I started eating! Anyway, here is the last one for you to drool over. it is also Zucchini (courgette) Flower time; Paolo’s Zucchini Flower fritters are to die for! Foto J Finnigan
Now another important indulgence for me is my four weekly visit to Sandra at La Parrucchiera in Certaldo for ‘colore.’ Sandra is my hairdresser and has been for the last fifteen years! Fortunately, she is a lot younger than me, so should be around even when I am in my nineties. My man understands that, no matter what my state of physical or mental health, he must get me to Sandra’s. It is also the only time that I have the chance to read some glossy magazines and last week I spotted these gorgeous Hand Made Italian Moccasins. As you know, I am dead against trianers as a fashion item, other than for sport. All I can say ladies, if you want to look good in flats here’s the answer; beautiful and comfortable at the same time! 
Where were we? Did you know it is the 50 year anniversary of Woodstock. Woodstock? Now come on, even my grandchildren have heard of Woodstock and by the way, love my music from the 60’s an 70’s. Our local village of Fiano is celebrating this momentous event in the Piazza with great food and two bands thumping out the original music! I absolutely adore the Italians for their love of great music and bands. Where else in the world can one be an aging rocker and be considered normal? I sometimes include the song ‘Woodstock.’ by Mathew’s Southern Comfort in my concert repertoire. Pop on to You tube and have a listen.
Of course the next thing we have to enjoy is Il Calambur. This is the annual battle of Certaldo Commune’s factions (Quarteriere), ours is Fiano, which won the year before last. The big event is held in central Certaldo and we hope the this year our village will come out on top again! There will be sporting and intelligent tests and a lot of fun. Put 15th September in your diary! The flags will be flying soon!
Now, this time of year is all about being out there on beaches and in Piazzas having great music concert parties. If you also happen to be Lorenzo Jovanotti you will find your party will become a mass of sand stomping fans, as far as the eye can see. Simply known as Jovanotti, Lorenzo has taken to the beaches this year to hammer out his fabulous music and to put across a little more politics than he has in the past! He has gone from wearing silver alien suits to the scruffy pirate look and the fans still love him. In an interview he was recorded as stating ‘We have more intelligence than democracy. Young people, don’t be afraid of the world!’ Javanotte is hugely popular here in Italy. 
Back in our little bit of Chianti where things have been nice and quiet due to 90% of Italians being at the seaside, we relax over coffee and the newspapers at La Dispensa in Fiano. Yesterday I found a lovely story about the romance and secret marriage of two Italian Partisans, right under the noses of the Nazi’s, in 1945. I love to read these kinds of stories. Detail of the romance and marriage of Tullio and Theresa have only recently been unearthed and the article was written by novelist Maurizio Maggiani. His books can be found on most online outlets, but mostly in Italian at the moment. You will also find a little bit involving wartime Partisans and Romance in my third novel ‘The Italian Connection.’ 
Meanwhile, it’s been a busy week for the the lovely ladies lining up for the Miss Toscana (Tuscany) final. And, the winner is the beautiful Chiara Gorgeri! Methinks she may not be happy with this picture, obviously taken form a lower position from where she is standing, giving her thunder thighs and big hands! On the subject of big hands, did you notice that Michelangelo’s Statue of David has hands too big for his body? Sorry, I digress. But now my mind has wondered off even further! There are a lot of really hunky handsome men in italy, so why do we not have Mr Italy contests,? It all seems rather one-sided. What do you think?
And, back to the real world, last week I said that the Italian Government is about to implode and as anticipated the long suffering Prime Minister Giuseppe Conti has resigned. He is absolutely fed up with the bickering between the coalition parties and in particular cites Matteo Salvini as the main culprit, quote ‘He has been irresponsible and dangerous’ and many will agree. So what’s on the cards? Another election I guess. Watch this space.
I would like to mention the passing of my lovely Mother-in-Law Marie at the age of 93. Marie spent just over a year living with us in Tuscany and she absolutely loved the language, the people and the restaurants. She had learnt a little Italian and, whilst she mispronounced many words, like absolutamente instead of assolutamente, we loved her for it. She had a marvellous singing voice and could reach all the high notes, singing along to Andrea Bocelli; her favourite was Ave Maria of course! Forever with us, darling Marie. Foto P Finnigan
Back here in our little bit of Chianti it is the weekend after Ferragosto, and this year we feel almost completely abandoned. La Dispensa in Fiano remains open, bless them, for coffee and groceries catering for the few of us still here and the tourists. Reading the paper I see that 95% of Fiorentines have abandoned Florence for the coast or mountains, although some museums and art galleries remain open. This seems even more than last year! Roads are empty of traffic and most shops and venues will remain closed now until the second week in September; the Italians will try to stretch the holiday out as far as they can, love them! Roll on September.
Meanwhile, the papers are full of politicians frolicking in the sea sporting more than just a little too much belly. Parliament is in complete disarray, the alliance is imploding in on itself, so we would not be surprised to see elections in October. Funny that, probably also in the UK……
But what’s this? We also read the news about Trenitalia, our famous Italian train service, part owned by the government, is now an invested partner in in the UK’s London to Scotland High speed Rail Link! Italy does have a very good high speed service, linking Rome and Milan, Florence and Venice and several other places and, the fares are not high like the UK. In fact travel by rail in Italy is probably the cheapest way to get around, Just a warning though, when checking on train times, also take a look at the section on train strikes (sciopero(i), which is updated regularly due to the tendency for rail staff to strike as often as Italians take days off for festivals.
But, enough of this. Just a question, do you love trainers? Am I the only one who really dislikes trainers, except for sport of course, particularly worn with skirts and worse, evening dresses! I think they make the wearer look clunky or indeed frumpy in some cases. They also encourage people to stomp around, forgetting how to walk with a little bit of style or elegance. Also, men’s feet have become too soft for army boots! My man is an ex-Royal Marine and is horrified at the inability of young men joining the forces to wear the necessary tough boots. In the paper I found this crazy Italian guy who has a huge collection of the things. Well, it takes all sorts to make up a world, I guess.
Of course the high temperatures have been perfect for the bathing beauties parading in front of the judges for the Miss Toscana contest. Here in Italy it is still a very popular event, despite the rest of the western world frowning on the so-called exploitation of young women. Lets face it, Tuscany has some very beautiful young women and if they choose to put themselves on show, so be it.
Meanwhile, I have been seeing adverts in the paper for Autumn and Winter fashions! I never fail to be amazed at the number of successful Italian designers. I noticed this advert for the man in your life; of course all men’s clothes look better worn by Italians, yes I know I’m biased, apart from my English man who looks good in anything. It seems you can even find Pal Zileri’s made in Italy clothes at Harvey Nichols in London! I must say, I love the slightly half-mast trouser look and the flash of socked ankles. Pity about the model’s long faces though, but we can’t have everything I guess! 
We have just got back from C’era Una Volta our local ristorante, where it was nice and quiet and gently cooled by the air-conditioning. Now Paolo, the owner, has a liking for hot spicy food and makes the meanest chilli sauce. It has been said that in very hot weather you should drink hot tea to cool you down. Well, Paolo came out of the kitchen with his own cooling down recipe, home grown baby tomatoes cooked in a very hot (picante) sauce. Here he is displaying his huge pot of the stuff! My man quite likes the occasional pasta arrabiata but this, whilst smelling delicious, would blow your head off! We declined a tasting (assaggi) and went for the salsa pecoraia instead. If you are a meat eater, Paolo will bring out your huge raw Fiorentine Steak to view before he cooks it! All part of the theatre.
Well, if you were here in Tuscany at this very moment, you would be amazed to find hardly any British or American tourists in the area. Even the papers are talking about the huge drop in tourists from outside the Eurozone. The beaches of Versiglia, a typical high-end resort north of Pisa and usually packed solid with Russians and Americans, was photgraphed with empty sun-beds as far as the eye could see. We have to face it, exchange rates are apalling at the moment. One pound sterling will only buy you 1.09 euros today. When we came here nearly sixteen years ago, we could buy as much as 1.49 euros! This will change of course, but at this moment in time it seems to be having a profound effect on the tourist industry! Foto trip advisor.
But lets not worry about that. Just up the road from us is our most frequented ristorante called 
Of course pizza is so very Italian, but a less talked about food is the Italian Potato. I absolutely love the new potatoes here. Not the little round things that the Brits like, simply newly harvested ones in all shapes and sizes, sliced in their skins boiled and tossed in butter. The Itallians like to chop them up into small pieces and roast with garlic and rosemary twigs, also nice, but I prefer them as they are. In the picture is my favourite brand, which I can buy in our local Co-op.
Meanwhile, back in Fiano our local village, we catch up on the papers over coffee and can’t help but notice some fotos of the politician Licia Ronzulli of Forza Italia (Silvio’s party) in house with her new baby strapped around her, oblivious and sleeping as it’s impressive mother gets on with the debating and voting. I must say good for her. I know there are those out there that would not approve of such behaviour, but here in Italy all mothers would understand. Things have changed a lot since we have arrived. There are fewer grandparents taking care of the little ones, and the pre-school nurseries (Asilonido) are getting busier.
And, still on the subject of Politics, I see that Silvio Berlusconi, that veteran of all things controversial, is back in the news. Formerly an Italian Prime Minister presiding over four parliaments, a cruise ship singer and Bunga Bunga party goer, he currently represents North West Italy as MEP for his Forza Italia party and has a net worth of around $6.6 Billion due to his entrepreneurial activities. Now keen to give his political profile a boost, he has announced that he wants to launch a new party. I wonder what he will call it? Perhaps you could come up with some suitable names and I’ll let Silvio know! Leave your thoughts at the bottom of this page or email me at june.finnigan@virgin.net
You thought I had forgotten the Hunk of the Month didn’t you! Well I’m glad to say that I spotted a picture in The Telegraph the other day and I thought ‘perfect’! How, I wonder, have I only just come across Jack Savoretti? He’s apparently made six albums! He’s gorgeous, plays acoustic guitar and sings like a god. Yes, OK, he’s English but he is of Italian descent so he definitely qualifies, well you will hardly argue that point will you? Check him out on You Tube, you’ll be mesmerised! Foto found on twitter.
When we first moved to this little bit of Chianti in Tuscany, some fifteen years ago, we quickly established that our closest village and community was to be found in Fiano. We have been made very welcome despite living outside the village and being English. We have witnessed the arrival of new babies and watched them grow up, start nursery and then school, and we have shared the joy of birthdays and romances and the sadness of loss, almost entirely by visiting the coffee bar and spending a while chatting. We now have some lovely Italian friends. Thank you the people of Fiano. In the picture are three beautiful friends from Fiano, Rosella, Manuella and Silvia, enjoying my concert in June. Foto P Finnigan.
It is the time of year when lot’s of music and the sound of celebrations are filling the air, people are off enjoying holidays on the coast or up in the cool air of the mountains. Foto P Finnigan – Our favourite coastal town at Castiglione della Pescaia. 
Meanwhile, the UK has a new government. Apparently the Queen said to Boris Johnson, when he asked her permission to form a government, “I can’t think why you would want the job!” She gave her permission anyway. Well, he has a job and a half negotiating a new Brexit deal, we wish him ‘in bocca al lupo’ which translates to ‘in the mouth of the wolf’ a phrase used in Italy to wish someone good luck. In Boris’s case it’s most appropriate! Let’s hope the new government are true to their word and make sure we expats are not penalised! Either way, we will adapt! I suppose our European/UK passports could become collector’s items!
Only in Italy would you hear a story like this, whilst enjoying morning coffee and catching up on the newspapers. Rossella sat down beside us at the long table and sighed. “I have been to Castelfiorentino with some friends from Fiano, to donate blood. We do it every six months.” She was looking a little pale and was feeling tired. “They did not want to take any blood at first, because my blood pressure was too low. So they gave me a strong coffee and told me to rest for a while.” I thought I had heard her right, only in Italy would they serve up strong coffee to raise one’s blood pressure! Anyway it worked and Rossella was able to give blood after a short rest! Amazing, I thought, so the Italians weren’t joking when they have said to me, do not have your pressure checked after drinking coffee! As other donors joined us, my (English) man was pleased to tell the story about his having had a blood transfusion last year and how it had improved his Italian no end! Ha, Ha….. Check out the fabulous Tony Hancock (above – foto expresso.uk) in The Blood Donor sketch on You Tube, you’ll love it. 
Our local village of 
Did I mention that our lovely friend John, also known as The Bare Guitarist, gave me a gorgeous Stretton Payne Guitar for my birthday, especially so that I can learn to play with a much more forgiving instrument than my beautiful Fender, which must now wait until I am more proficient. I am delighted to have successfully completed my first on-line introduction to the guitar and can now fit the shoulder strap on! I stood in front of my long mirror ‘wearing’ it and it looks good. The next lesson will be learning to tune it. I’ll keep you posted.
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