Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World
Extract from my Easter Weekend blog 2019. ‘Yes, it’s that time of year again, Easter Weekend and the Tourists have poured in from every part of the globe. Cars and mini-buses are cruising past our Old Monastery Farmhouse with big-eyed faces staring out of the windows. Then there are the walkers. As we are surrounded by agriturismo places to stay, it’s normal to hear the sound of footsteps on the gravel track and wondrous voices in many different languages. But, we don’t mind, as this weekend heralds the run up to summer and it’s a pleasure to see and hear visitors enjoying themselves.’
Easter Saturday 2020 – Who’d have thought that one year on, the above would be so strange to read, as we have been on lockdown now for a month and it’s amazing how one can get used to it. We have set up a nice place to sit at the front of the house under a big brolly, as the sun is hot and I need to be in the shade looking out. It has been so quiet that if a vehicle does roll past it’s usually agricultural, but it still has my man and I looking at each other with a frown on our faces. My man usually says “Whose that on our track?” Of course it’s not really ‘our track’ it just goes past our front gate. It’s a gravel track, which is perfectly normal in this region, but is now kicking up dust due to the dry weather. We also see the occasional blue light of the Carabiniere cruising past looking for Lockdown law breakers and believe me, they mean business!
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 Leonardo
Well, must dash off. The family are about to arrive on Skype and I must put some lipstick on. Oh, and set the scene for my man and I to do our bit on screen.
Easter Monday – Did some tidying of the garden pots this morning and watched Andrea 
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 youtube
Meanwhile, back in our beautiful garden, which we have always appreciated, even more so now, an early morning arrival was a young fox. Hard to tell if male or female, but very friendly and inquisitive.
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!
So, today will be the last of the sunny weather as we are forecast rain. But that’s OK because we need it. Our landlord, lives half an hour away and due to the Lockdown has not been able to come and strim the outer reaches of the garden. So my man is attempting to go that extra ‘mile’ and do some of this for him. Yesterday, exhausted, he fell asleep in a deckchair with his cowboy hat over his face! He woke up feeling dizzy from sleeping in the hot sun! Bless him.
Well, we have no plans today, so I will cook us a nice lunch to make up for the cold offering from yesterday. We actually had Caprese (buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomatoes accompanied by Fetunta (toast rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra virgin) Now we love this, but my man grumbled that it was Easter day and he had hoped for a nice veggie roast. So I will cook that today!
Have a really good week and please stay home. We are now on lockdown until 3 May, it will be alright.
Salute and stay safe, Amore June x
PS Have you read my books yet? Now’s a good time! my site
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.
Wednesday 12 February. I would never have guessed that a beautiful fallen bloom, from an early flowering shrub, could have given me such a lift. It wasn’t just the beauty of the thing but how I received it that made all the difference. I have had three weeks of feeling pretty run-down after a minor operation, due to my pathetic immune system. I went to Fiano this morning for my usual espresso, newpapers and chat; then Roberto our local sculpture walked in and presented me with the bloom! Bless his lovely kind heart, the site of it in the palm of my hand sent a wave of sheer joy through my still fragile system! I knew there and then that my head was sufficiantly clear to start writing again! Thank you dear Roberto. (someone, please let me know what the flower is; thank you x)
Thursday 13 February. Well, its the next day and I’m still feeling in a good mood. I decided that I would scour the papers for some good news to post and, yes you guessed it, nothing. But then I saw a big red heart and an advertisement for San Valentino in Florence. Yes! ‘All you need is love, da da da da da’ Just when you think things could not get more depressing, up pops San Valentino! Hurrah.
celebrating with your amore. But what’s this? Somewhere called the Bristol Winter Gardens (yes Bristol) in Florence! Sounds like a great place to eat, you only have to look at the dish in the foto. Mmmmm. 
Anyway, here we are back in our little bit of Chianti. On the Friday evening we went straight to C’era Una Volta ristorante for supper and downed a whole bottle of Chianti wine in no time.
Meanwhile, just down the road, Osteria Casa Chianti has turned their upstairs room into a gorgeous candlelit venue for lovers. ‘Cena Romantica di Candela.’ So, if you want to impress your amore, go there on a Friday evening and enjoy. We can certainly recommend the Osteria for a great dining experience in or out of the candlelit room; great wines and local ingredients. 
Now what is happening with the music scene? I hear you ask. Well I’ll go and take a look; don’t go away! Ah, sorry, it’s January and no well known bands or performers are here as far as I can tell. But if you fancy some Italian talent, how about Ferdinando Romano, Sabina Sciubba, Massimo Giuti, Franco D’Andrea or a band called Handshake? But who’s this? He calls himself The leading Guy, a bit of a mystery this one so let’s investigate. Mmmm, quite nice looking 33 year old singer songwriter and his videos can be found on You Tube. Foto from facebook He plays guitar and sings his own music, quite good, take a look. You could also go to see him this month and book tickets at 
And finally, I have found you a January hunk of the month all wrapped up in a warm junky sweater, which we all need right now, the warm sweater that is!
Now, this is a great time of year for getting out and about, particularly visiting museums and art galleries. There are less tourists about, so we can enjoy a rather more pleasant experience, particularly in Florence. Il Museo Galileo, which is dedicated to the great man, is an amazing place for children and adults alike. Fantastic collections of antique scientific instruments and some great hands on experiences for those budding scientists or physicists. I love this sort of stuff. And, it’s only a short walking distance from the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio, beside the River Arno! It’s also a good excuse for going to Florence for lunch! Lets go together! 
In the evenings we are currently tucked in with the log fire and the DVD player. We have been wading through the whole of The Sweeny series from the 1970’s. A reader recently asked me what did I watch on TV? I rarely watch TV here in Italy, however, I love the TV series Don Matteo; it’s about the only thing that will encourage me to switch the television on! Terence Hill plays the local priest who has a shoulder to cry on and a clever detective brain for helping solve crimes. A new series has just started, hurrah! I also want to mention that Terence has made a new film in memory of his side-kick actor Bud Spencer. It is called ‘Il Mio nome e Thomas’ (My Name is Thomas) and was shown on Rai 1 television on New Year’s Eve. I am checking out the availibility of streaming or dvd purchase. I’ll let you know. Can’t believe that Terence is 80 now! And, he is Italian, so I have nominated him Senior Hunk of the Month! Foto Wikipedia
Yesterday was a festa because of Befana, the friendly witch who arrives to check on the childrens’ behavour over the festive period. If they have been good they get a present, if not a lump of coal. I can’t honestly say that I have ever seen a child holding a lump of coal or sporting black hands in evidence of being naughty. Befana also celebrates the end of the festive period, so life can return to normal! Phew.
Well, in many ways it’s good to return to work and to see all the shops and restaurants opening normally. This week we celebrate men’s fashion with Pitti uomo and you will see some amazing sites in Florence from today through to Friday. All the male fashionisti are strutting around the streets, trying to outdo each other. But oh, they have such style. Only in italy! Of course the fashion shops are open now too, so we have to go!
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