Welcome to all my new and loyal followers,
Sunset over Geneva on the mans flight to London.
Photo P Finnigan
At 7am sharp on Saturday, the hunters started shooting in the valley below our villa. Fortunately, my man was traveling from London that day, because he had stayed over on Friday night with a ticket to watch rugby at Twickenham. However, Sunday morning when he most needed a lie in, the shooting started again at the same time. My man groaned, turned over in bed and said “The bloody peasants are revolting.” I said, “don’t worry I have a cunning plan.” But that’s my secret.
Farty Barty exhausted after laying the table.
Photo J Finnigan
Then the cat fight started, so I clambered out of bed to check on Farty Barty who had stayed out all night. Black Cat, a big local tom, was standing on Barty’s favourite perch over the orange trees staring down into the orchard, so I opened the window clapped loudly and shouted ‘vai’. The horrid cat looked angrily back at me and then casually climbed down and waddled off. This then leaves you thinking, ‘Oh god I hope Barty is alright’. Well of course he was fine and strolled in an hour later saying ‘feed me’! Meanwhile my man is mumbling, “Are you trying to wake me up?” Then at eight o’clock it’s the rumbling of tractor and trailer as Alessandro arrives with his team of Romanians (I think) to finish the olive picking. So, despite it being Sunday we were off for coffee at nine!
The good news this week is that I went to Sandra’s new Hair Salon which, is very nice and girlie, with a beautiful mural of Audrey Hepburn on the wall. I took Sandra a present and her mother & mother-in-law were there to greet the ‘famous English writer’, warmly shaking my hand and kissing my cheeks. Sandra is quite rightly very proud of her new salon, and took two hours doing my hair instead of the rushed hour and a half at the old place.
Yesterday morning I dropped down to Certaldo, very slowly, as an old boy was driving his invalid carriage along the white line in the middle of the main road. Now thinking about this, it’s possible that he thought there was room to pass him on either side of the road, however, I felt that the wind of my car might topple him over. I followed him for half a kilometre with my heart in my mouth, praying that nobody overtake me and not see him. So I put my hazards on. Then a truck came round the bend towards us and the old boy casually swerved to the right, then returned to his central position immediately afterwards!
Paintings on wood from the Doggy Charity sale only 5 Euros each!
Photo P Finnigan
There is always a fruit, veg and plant market on Saturdays in Certaldo, however, this time there were around fifty stalls selling home-made chocolates! Dear god, how can one possibly eat sensibly in this sweet toothed country! I was also really pleased to see a Doggy Charity in the community hall, where I bought two wood paintings and a tray. My sister-in-law would have loved it there, as she is brilliant at spotting good labels in jumble sales and then selling them on E-Bay. Sadly, I rarely see any charity shops or sales in our bit of Tuscany, whereas, England is overrun with them.
I am really pleased to tell you that Laura’s Alimentari/bar in Fiano is open again. Laura & Benedetta had both been down with the same virus, so all is back to normal. Signor Rotund was delighted to see my man back and Italy has just beaten Fiji at Rugby, so that’s more good news. I had a conversation with Benedetta yesterday morning and she said in English “this is your break”. so I tried to explain that in English one normally takes a ‘break’ say mid-morning, or at least after having worked for a couple of hours and that I was taking my caffè latte before starting work. It was then around 9am or 8am UK time. Of course, Benedetta and her mother start at six thirty, so for her it was already mid-morning, so then the conversation got a bit confusing! So I also explained that it was important for me to ‘Uscire’ (go out) each morning, otherwise one could go ‘stir crazy’. Try and translate that one! However, she understood the phrase only too well and finished the sentence for me with a big grin on her face!
Silvio & Angelino Alfano in happier times.
Photo BBC News Europe
And so to the successful survival of our heart-throb, Silvio Berlusconi. SB has now formerly re-launched Forza Italia. A supporter commented, ‘We could do with at least three Silvios in government, he’s the only man capable of restoring this county’s prosperity!’. Well, it’s hard to recall a time of prosperity over the last twenty years, but hey ho. Meanwhile, SB was ‘in a lot of pain’ over the break away of his former right hand man, Angelino Alfano, who has formed a new faction of dissidents. I say, never mind SB, the girlies will still support you, anyway who wants a new leader who always looks as if he’s sucking gobstoppers!
Well, time to go and put on the lipstick and head out for lunch at ‘La Gramola’ in Tavernelle. If anyone is interested, the food is really good and they specialise in gluten-free, which is great for me. Visit http://www.gramola.it
Have a great week.
Amore June x
PS You can now find me and my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course on Amazon. Enjoy!
Posted in Life | Tagged Berlusconi, book, Certaldo, Chianti, coffee, Farty Barty, Fiano, Italian Rugby, Italy, J W Finnigan, June Finnigan, My Father The Assassin, Silvio Berlusconi, Tuscany, writer | 2 Comments »
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Benvenuti to all my loyal and new followers
My normal hair colour on the left – no, not the right! How dare you…
photo P Finnigan
You may ask, what could be so terrible in this beautiful little bit of Chianti, that it could put me into a state of shock? Well, all you girlies will understand when I tell you, that to lose your personal hairdresser of eight years, suddenly and inexplicably, and no way of knowing where she has gone, is one terrible blow! The girls in the salon ‘claimed’ not to know, so my man and I set out to track her down. Once when Sandra had gone on holiday, one of the other girls dyed my hair and it was an absolute disaster. I have been dying my hair various shades of red ever since I turned seventeen, but this colour was a violent orange! Immediately afterwards, I was meeting my man at the station cafe in Certaldo and he saw me from half a mile away. As regards sitting with me, well, you can imagine his discomfort. Now my man likes me to be happy and if I am a little down, he will offer to pay for me to have a pedicure & manicure as this always gives me a lift. Beautiful hair and nails are at the top of my list, oh and my man’s happiness as well of course. So he enquired at Bar Italia, and Vanya rather awkwardly on account of her being the sister of the salon owner next door, told him that Sandra was opening her own salon next to the photographers! My man does have a way with girlies, particularly pretty ones. We found the shop and the opening date was the ninth of November, and I am about to ring for an appointment! Hurrah!
Olives ready for picking.
Photo J Finnigan
Back here at the villa, Alessandro the local contadino and his crew, started at seven this morning on the olive picking. A couple of hours later it started to rain so they all rushed for cover. At twelve thirty the sun came out and it was perfect for returning to the harvest. But no, this is Italy and it was time for pranzo (lunch) so they all went off until two o’clock. By this time heavy dark clouds were building up again!
Farty Barty guards the villa on top of the trellis over the Orange Trees.
Photo J Finnigan
Meanwhile, great excitement as we manage to get fat Farty Barty into his cage and then to the vet in Poggibonsi. He was there for his inoculation and I confess that I tucked his tail between his legs so that our lovely lady vet was not reminded that he still has his vital bits. He was passed as ‘fighting fit’ which will be very important for him over the next couple of months.
Lemon Tree Blossoms after the rain
Photo J Finnigan
In the garden the Bouganvillea, climbing one of the cypress trees, is looking amazing and in mid-November is acting like its spring. Also, the potted lemon trees are bursting with heavily perfumed blossom! Gorgeous.
Earlier in the week my man, also known as Nonno, was dedicated the school run to Staggia and Siena to collect the grandchildren and take them home. Our daughter has had to go to England to do some PR business and her man needed to be away for the day seeing a garden design client near Lucca. Nonno took the granddaughter for a strawberry & hazelnut gelato and then collected the grandson from Siena and talked rugby all the way home, as one does. Our boy is currently doing trials for Tuscany under fourteens and he not only looks like a young Jonny Wilkinson, he plays like him too. We are so proud!
Back in our local village of Fiano, I decide to visit our lovely Dottore Flavio with some test results. I arrived and realised that I had left the results at home, so we talked about rock music instead. Before this I had managed to leave my sunglasses in the Cartolibreria and Milko’s mother had handed them to the local baker, who then took them to the cafe bar. Don’t ask! All the talk is currently about why Laura’s Alimentari/ Bar which has been closed for three days with a sign on the door saying ‘malattia’, however, nobody knows which member of the family is ill!
And so to the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi. Poor SB. He is claiming that the whole world is against his family and is treating them like jews under Hitler. This is not the first time that he has courted controversy with references to World War Two. Mind you, you can’t always believe everything you read in the paper. I just spotted in the Independent, quote: ‘In August Silvio Berlusconi was convicted for a 7.3 million tax fraud vomited between 1994 & 1998.’ Yes really, their actual words. This makes me feel a little better because readers have spotted a typo in my novel! I challenge you to find it and I will send you a signed copy of the book.
Well, enough of that. Time for a nice aperitivo with my man.
Salute June x
PS You can now find me and ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course on Amazon. Enjoy!
Posted in Life | Tagged Berlusconi, book, Certaldo, Chianti, coffee, Farty Barty, Fiano, Italian Rugby, Italy, J W Finnigan, June Finnigan, My Father The Assassin, Romantic thriller, Silvio Berlusconi, Tuscany | 2 Comments »
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Farty Barty – “Read my lips, I am not fat, I can still see my paws!”
Photo J Finnigan
It’s hard to believe that we are already into November, particularly as the days have been really balmy over the last week. We are still enjoying lunches outside on the upper terrace and marvelling at the peace and quiet after the vendemia (grape harvest). The olive picking has now really got going and it has been an unusual year with both harvests so close together. Farty Barty, the cat, is getting far too plump as he builds his winter coat and fat layers. In no time at all he will be off courting and running himself ragged again. Yes, I know, at six years of age, he still has his vital bits. The problem is, whenever we try to trap him in his cage, he knowingly disappears off into the wild for four or five days! Now my man feels that, at such a mature age a male’s important bits should be left well alone!
Orange harvest from the orchard.
Photo P Finnigan
The garden continues to amaze us with new growth on many of the flowering plants and shrubs. The potted lemon trees are sporting autumn blossoms and the oranges from the orchard are huge and juicy. The man is very happy, of course, because there is still plenty to do outside. In addition to this, we are decorating the spare bedroom for our discerning friends & family that will be here before and over Christmas. These things may not be exciting to you, however, my man and I spend a lot of hours each week doing brain work, so it is a joy to turn one’s attention to practical stuff.
Back at the Laura’s bar/alimentari in Fiano, Tuesday was a day for the locals to burst into song. It was a case of the conversation suddenly inspiring a song (mostly Italian) and short bursts of pop, rock or ballads were sung with gusto. I threw in a few English lyrics and it was great fun!
Giovana and Vittorio’s memorial.
Photo P Finnigan
Friday was a festa (All Saints Day/Day of the Dead) and Halloween to you. The churchyards are now full of fresh flowers and we particularly like to visit Giovanna & Vittorio’s memorial in Luccardo Alto, which has hand painted likenesses on the wall. if you have never visited an Italian churchyard, you really must. Each dearly departed has a photograph, and at night lovely little lamps let out a warm glow. Laura’s bar was closed that day, so we had morning coffee outside Bar Piazzetta and soaked up the glorious sunshine. Reading the paper there, we discover that Empoli, a town about half an hour away, has a Sherlock Holmes Society. How amazing is that? This is an all Italian group of people who just adore S.H!
On Sunday we went to Montespertoli and, whilst enjoying our aperitivo in the Piazza, we met Rhett & Ginger, two lovely American ladies who were on holiday. Girls, if you are reading this, we hope you enjoy my book and the rest of your holiday! And so to Sunday lunch.
Gianluca brings our antipasti.
Photo J Finnigan
I have been meaning to introduce you to Gianluca who is a waiter at ‘C’era una Volta’ in Luccardo. Gianluca has been a temporary member of staff for around eleven years, as he is really a perpetual student of History. He is also very charming to girlies of all ages and speaks English, French, German and Spanish. We are very fond of him, however, he loves to stop and chat to us at some length, despite shouts from his boss Paolo to get on with serving the customers! You could say that he likes to perform for his favourite customers, which regularly gets him into trouble! He is off to Cuba next week with his mates, and asked us for all the words for a joint! Did he mean a smoke or a seedy bar? We did our best to help.
Whilst the storms have abated, we are still seeing the after effects and a busy B road near Montespertoli has subsided. I know I mention this quite often,
Road subsidence near Montespertoli.
Photo la Republica
however, you need to travel these roads regularly to appreciate the precarious state of shifting land around us. I won’t bore you too much with stories about Italian drivers, but this morning driving along the two kilometre stretch of strada bianca from our villa to the main road, we had to break three times as to avoid oncoming vehicles cutting bends at speed, over seriously eroded surfaces! Then we were overtaken by an elderly Signora, on a blind bend and it is a single track road! Enough of that, but sometimes one has to rent one’s feelings!
I have just checked on the latest news for the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi. Well, golly gosh, bunga-bunga girl Marythell Polanca has claimed that SB married his overage fiance Francesca Pascale three weeks ago, in a private chapel at his home! Francesca is currently seeking 10 million euros damages after a TV station broadcast claimed that, according to a Bulgarian Actress, she was a lesbian! Meanwhile, SB has managed to persuade the courts to reduce his alimony payments to his ex-wife by half. The poor wretch is now having to manage on only 1.2 million euros a month! So, nothing really sensational on Silvio’s front then.
Enough for now. I really must get on with the day job and do a bit of business. Please get in touch, and if you have read my current book, do leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Thank you.
Amore June x
PS You can now find me and ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course on Amazon. Enjoy!
Posted in Life | Tagged Berlusconi, book, Chianti, coffee, Farty Barty, Fiano, Italy, J W Finnigan, June Finnigan, landslips, My Father The Assassin, Romantic thriller, Silvio Berlusconi, Tuscany, writer | 4 Comments »
Welcome Ragazzi
Submerged cars in the underpass at Certaldo
photo La Republica
Well, it has been another beautiful week in Tuscany, despite the horrendous storm last Monday and another mini one on Wednesday morning. You will recall that I was concerned about the strada bianca, the white track, between our villa and the main road. I am pleased to say that on Tuesday morning I ventured out to find that it was passable, however, I was very glad of my four x four. The deluge of water had washed away a large part of it and particularly on the final hilly s-bend, where it had gouged out deep diagonal grooves. But we don’t care about that. It’s happened before and eventually a digger will come and put it right. However, down in our local town of Certaldo, an important underpass had filled up will muddy water leaving two submerged cars in its wake! Otherwise, it has been gloriously sunny and warm.
My man returned on Friday, having taken Gi Gi home and then completed some business in London. He was delighted to find that the storm had created a lot of work in the garden. He likes a good work out, being an ex-Royal Marine, and he soon set to clearing the drains of mud and debris. Then he started to attack the invading army of snails, which of course was my fault as I should have kept an eye out for them! They all get thrown down into the orchard and eventually reform their ranks, then march back up the hill overnight! However, that evening, the man was in good form and enjoying an aperitivo. I commented “How I would love to have an athlete’s body again. Well I did not exactly have an athletes body but…” and the man butted in and said “Yes you did, you had mine!” Oh, he does come out with some quick-witted remarks when he is relaxed and happy! Don’t you just love him? I do.
Olive trees & autumn vines below our villa.
Photo J Finnigan
Over the last couple of days, we have spotted a few small groups of olive pickers with their colourful nets stretched out under the trees. Did you know that technically, olive trees are actually bushes? Yes, I know, I’m a mind of knowledge. Later this morning, the man will go over to our friend Claudio’s cellars to fill our empty bottles with both old and new Chianti wine. The Tuscans like to drink their wine young and many small wine producers consume most of their own produce. Claudio, however, exports all over the world. It’s also interesting to note that the supermarkets here rarely have imported wines on their shelves!
Me at the microphone.
Photo P Finnigan
Many of you will know that as well as being a writer, I do a bit of rock singing. The Rock Chick Band is re-formed in June each year and we have a private rock concert in our garden. It’s important that I ready the repertoire well in advance and this I have just done. We do some old favourites every year, however, I have decided to include the fabulous Phil Lynott’s ‘Parisian Walkways’ , The Rolling Stones ‘Paint it Black’, George Harrison’s ‘If I needed Someone’ and as requested by my grandson, one of his favourites, Mumford and sons ‘Broken Crown’. I just need to have these approved by Stefano Bartalesi, my lead guitarist and boss! I’ll keep you posted.
Back in the alimentari/bar in Fiano, we met our friends Claudio and Titziana this morning and we always fight over who’s going to pay for the coffee. This time I won. Sig Rotund made a comment that English women always seem to be in charge of the money, not so in Italy! It’s amazing how the Italian men are still fooled into thinking that they are in charge! I silently acknowledged the knowing smiles from the other women in the bar….
Silvio re-launches ‘Forza Italia’
Photo Reuters
Meanwhile, the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi, has risen from the ashes like a phoenix! He has re-launched ‘Forza Italia’, the centre-right party that brought him to power two decades ago. Leaders voted to suspend the PDL (People of Freedom party) and restore the old name. Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Alfano and other senior PDL members were not present at the meeting and a split may be on the cards. However, as SB has been bank-rolling (funding) the party it may prove difficult for them to officially break away. It’s fascinating isn’t it, that whilst SB is banned from being elected to parliament, he is not barred from leading a political party! Solo in Italia…. SB still claims that he was and is a victim of a judicial plot to remove him from politics. Meanwhile, his love life takes a back seat – no naughty comments please!
Most of you will be aware that I am an avid reader. I am currently reading Christopher Creighton’s OpJB, the last great secret of the Second World War. This is a true story and I am absolutely riveted. What are you currently reading?
Well, I must go and make myself beautiful for a visit to Ristorante C’era Una Volta for pranzo.
Do get in touch.
Amore June.
PS You can now find me and my book, My Father, The Assassin by J W Finnigan, on-line at http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course Amazon. Enjoy! You can also follow my monthly column on http://www.expatfocus.com
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Benvenuti to all my new and loyal followers
Autumn Vines next to the Strada Bianca
Photo P Finnigan
As I prepare to send you this blog, heavy rain is hammering the windows and flood water is seeping under the kitchen door! Farty Barty, the cat, warned me that a storm was on the way by burying his face in his cushion and refusing to go out last night. Just after midnight the thunder started to roll, quickly changing into deafening thunderclaps directly overhead, followed by torrential rain. Shutters banged and clattered in the easterly winds and then the electricity died. When we have storms in Tuscany they are massive and lightning forks can take out whole trees in one mighty flash. Flood water cascades down the hills taking surface soil and plants with it, completely changing the landscape. You may recall that I have mentioned the shifting land, crumbling inland cliffs and landslides. Often roads are blocked and not cleared for several days. It is now eleven thirty in the morning and the storm continues unabated. I dare not think about whether the strada bianca (white track) from our villa to the main road will be passable when the sky eventually clears! Worst of all, I have had to make my own coffee this morning as I cannot get to the cafe bar in Fiano!
GiGi and her surprise birthday desert at Osteria La Sosta di Pio.
Photo J Finnigan
But hey ho, let’s look back at what has been a glorious week, which included three lunches in our sunny garden, three at local restaurants and only one in our kitchen. At the Osteria La Sosta di Pio near Barberino Val d’Elsa, my mother-in-law, known as Gi-Gi, on account of her being a Great-Grandma, was presented with a surprise birthday desert with candle and ‘Happy Birthday’ was played in English over the loud-speakers. Her little face lit up as she remembered, once again, that it was her eighty-eighth birthday! Every ten minutes or so, her short-term memory loss kicks in, so we had to constantly remind her what day it was. Bless her. In the afternoon four generations of Finnigans descended on the villa for afternoon tea and birthday cake. GG flew back to England on Sunday with my man and may or may not remember her visit!
Meanwhile, back at our local village of Fiano, the tourists had thinned to a trickle. The unplayed and crushed conkers in the piazza had mostly been cleared away and the horse-chestnut trees were dressed in beautiful shades of red and gold. Offset these against a row of dark cyprus trees and a bright blue sky; very breathtaking. As we walked to the alimentari /bar the intoxicating perfume of red wine wafted over us from a passing truck, loaded high with grape skins. We arrived for coffee feeling very light-headed.
Certaldo Alto
Photo P Finnigan
View from the funiculare train down to Certaldo
Photo P Finnigan
On Saturday morning we took GG to Certaldo Alto, which is the centro storica (historical centre) of Certaldo perched high on its own steep hill. We traveled up on the little funiculare train packed like sardines with Italians, their children, nonnas and cameras. We visited the gallery and were delighted to meet the artist Walter Sarfatti. His work is rather special as he produces ‘original prints’ from zinc plates by the process of etching. No one print is exactly the same as it varies according to the colour and the density of the ink chosen by the artist. We are now the proud owner of a small masterpiece. You may like to visit http://www.sienaart.org/walter-sarfatti .
And so to the Italian Stallion Silvio Berlusconi. Yes, as anticipated, he has been thrown out of political office for two years. Can he still remain ‘high profile’ during this period? We do hope so. Whilst his love life continues to be fraught with scuttlebutt, it is very likely. Watch this space.
Well, I have finished this blog by hand as the storm is still raging. I am reluctant to go on-line as I have first hand experience of a lightening bolt hitting the electricity wires at our old home and destroying the TV and my lap-top! I may have to send this tomorrow….
Heres hoping you are having better weather.
Amore June x
PS You can now find me and my book, ‘My Father, the Assassin’, on http://www.Goodreads.com as well as http://www.firstchapters.net and of course Amazon. Happy reading.
Posted in Life | Tagged book, Certaldo, Chianti, coffee, earthquakes, Farty Barty, Fiano, Italy, J W Finnigan, June Finnigan, My Father The Assassin, Romantic thriller, Tuscany, writer | 2 Comments »
Welcome to all my lovely new and loyal followers
‘I’m back, to let you know I can really shake them down.’ How sad, you are probably thinking, June is quoting 1960’s lyrics again! But I have to say, as you get to know me even better, you will come to realise, that knowing all the words to most of the ’60’s rock and pop songs was always my best subject in Pub Quizzes! But you don’t want to know about that. However, you may be glad to know that I am now recovered from a nasty little virus, which took me to the brink, and have found my thinking cap again.
The grandson leads Siena under 14’s Rugby to victory in black & white
Firstly, I must mention that the Rugby season has just started in Italy. The highlight of the last two weeks is that our brilliant grandson has been made captain of Siena under fourteens and he led his team to victory over Florence in their opening match of the season! We are so proud.
Driving back from coffee in Fiano with the man and his lovely visiting mother yesterday morning, we were horrified to see a river of wine (well stream actually) flowing towards us from Villa Bacio. The villa has a lot of vineyards and the harvest and crushing continues unabated. On closer inspection we saw that there were also grape skins in the stream and that it was an overflow of waste, but my god it smelt good! Within a few weeks it will be olive picking time, and fresh cold pressed extra virgin olive oil will be dribbling from our dipped bread. We are really looking forward to that, and not to forget that it is also white truffle (Tartufo Bianco) time, glorious……
Back at the Alimentare/Bar in Fiano, poor Laura the owner, has scolded her hand with some hot oil and is all bandaged up. They do seem to be an accident prone family, what with Benedetta, her daughter, limping around with a broken foot. Our friend Signore Rotund was very pleased to see my man back from London, as they have this private thing about keeping morning papers back for each other. My lovely eighty-eight year old mother-in-law was also welcomed back with great enthusiasm by the locals, which makes her feel very special. She is with us for a week to celebrate her birthday, so it will be a family gathering tomorrow.
My man has expressed great concern over the fact that Italian children and parents do not play conkers! Huge horse-chestnut trees surround the piazza in Fiano, and the lovely big glossy conkers are left crushed under car wheels and completely ignored. This is a very sad thing and I agree with him, it’s just like the lack of interest in board games, which as you know we have started playing again with a vengeance.
Cafe La Piazzetta in Fiano, in the main piazza, which is surrounded by horse chestnut trees.
Many of you will know that we have more than our fair share of street sellers in Tuscany and I am very impressed with one local man who is selling used purses. His sales pitch is ‘New purses are too inflexible and that a second-hand one will bring you good luck, because they already have the smell of money!’ The mind boggles as to where he acquired these purses and looking closely at the clothing items, I swear I can see clothes peg marks. However, he is a very likeable chap! There was rather a lot of rubbish around the floor of the Cafe La Piazzetta in Fiano last weekend and my man said that it was probably Albanians. I was shocked, ‘Why on earth did you say that?’ I asked, ‘It’s what the Italians say not me’ he retorted, ‘because they never drop rubbish!’ Since he has been formally adopted as a ToscanoDoc (real Tuscan) by the locals he has become very biased!
Meanwhile, on 4th October, Pope Francis visited Assisi where his namesake was based and I think buried. My man and I went there a few years ago as his middle name is Francis too and he felt a certain affinity with the place. His family was Roman Catholic and his grandmother and mother got carried away with middle names. My man’s are Antoni, Dominic, Francis which makes be very jealous because I’m just plain June!
Anyway, we had a very nice lunch at C’era una Volta yesterday after our traditional visit to Montespertoli for an Aperitivo. My mother-in-law, bless her, was singing opera after a little too much wine and creme di limoncello. The other diners were very impressed – she does have a lovely voice if a little bit on the shaky side. She accompanies Andrea Boccelli each evening over supper and her favourite is Ave Maria, which she belts out with gusto! It’s the only thing that wakes Farty Barty the cat from his malaise at the moment, as It is the time of year for him to get fat and winter furred, and to spend a lot of time on his cushioned kitchen chair.
Silvio gets emotional in Rome.
Photo Reuters, Alessandro Bianchi.
And so to our fallen hero Silvio Berlusconi. I am pleased to report that he remains high-profile in the news. After his about-face, due to his five ministers refusing to quit the senate, he threw his support behind the rather lack luster government of Enrico Letta. Now he has chosen Community Service over House arrest and is being besieged by Social Welfare Services including City Angels and Exodus, which support the homeless and drug addicts. He has also had invites from Animal Rights, Hospitals, the Genetic Rights Foundation (whatever that is) and a home for the elderly. The old girlies in the latter would adore having him there, particularly if he was in charge of making the beds. But my guess is he’ll support a charity for fallen women. Meanwhile, his ‘fiance’ Francesca Pascale is having a cat fight with glamorous Bulgarian actress/producer Michelle Boney. Michelle is a friend of SB and claims that FP is a bad person, has been blackmailing him and is actually a Lesbian. Wow, that takes the biscuit! A touch of jealousy, methinks.
So, it is Monday morning and I must get this blog off to you subito.
Have a great week and don’t forget to check out http://www.firstchapters.net for your winter reading. Try the Romantic Thriller ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan.
Amore June x
Posted in Life | Tagged Add new tag, Berlusconi, book, Chianti, coffee, Enrico Letta, Farty Barty, Italian Rugby, My Father The Assassin, Romantic thriller, Silvio Berlusconi, Tuscany | Leave a Comment »
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