Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
Well, how are you?
Firstly, you will be glad to know that I will not be mentioning Italian Politics, other than the fact the country remains ungoverned due to no agreement to form a government. So it looks like we can expect another General Election! Enough.
So, to much brighter things and especially to our beautiful Tuscan Garden here on the edge of Chianti, which is now full of flowering tubs. Yes, the weekend was glorious and we were able to get all the pots planted up with colourful flowers. The grass, or green weedy stuff, was mowed and we sat out in an evening temperature of around 24 degrees centigrade to admire our hard work. Now it is raining and is likely to do so all week. A little sad for the tourists that have started arriving in their droves. But hey ho, life eeez good, life eeez now! Foto J Finnigan.
Now I must mention the Star of Jerusalem, which is an herb said to be helpful to people suffering from depression, when taken in oil form. They pop up all over the ‘lawn’ and are really pretty. I have just read that these lovely plants are the bane of landscape gardeners as they spread like crazy. Well my man likes them so much, he mowed around them, bless him! What would you do? Foto J Finnigan.
Meanwhile, the legend that is Bob Dylan was in Florence on his Italian leg of ‘The Never Ending Tour’. He performed his first tracks seated at the piano, starting with ‘Things have changed’ his voice in excellent form and singing to a packed Mandela Forum. His visit to the city was very low profile and the reporters were unable to find out where he was staying or anything about his itinerary outside of the concert! Well, good for Bob, I say, privacy is everything. Did you go to the concert? Do tell me about it, as I could not get a ticket! Foto La Repubblica.
Back in our local village of Fiano and over morning coffee, I noticed in the paper a mention of World Book Day, which is apparently on 23rd April, so we must remember that. I’m not sure how one is supposed to celebrate this, other than perhaps buying or reading a book. Mine are always available of course, assuming you like romantic thrillers and adventures that take you around the world. Supporting an author is a good idea, me in particular! I will be in Wells and Exmouth in the West County of the UK the week beginning 21st May, so if you have a book group or any other club where you would like me to visit, do drop me a line. Visit My website I would love to meet you. Foto La Repubblica.
Now, I think I should mention, if you are coming to Italy and hiring a car, that the roads have never been as bad as they are now. The recent cold snap, after a few days of early spring weather, has made things considerably worse! The roads have never been particularly good here, however, we are now reading about it in the papers so things have seriously deteriorated! In the UK, the local authorities would have paid out millions to drivers for the damage to their cars over the last year, here in Tuscany it’s accepted as the norm. As we currently have no government, what can we do? So, I recommend a high wheel based car, particularly if you are visiting me. Foto La Nazione.
Well, enough of the grumbles, there is a lot to be grateful for, like good restaurants! With our local one being closed for ten days, we decided to go back to another favourite in Tavernelle, which I may have mentioned before. I’m talking about La Gramola. It is newly refurbished with big modern paintings on the wall, and has a fresher and more spacious feel to it. Thankfully the chef, Cecilia Dei, has not changed and we enjoyed a really delicious meal there on Sunday. I had Crostini di Cavolo Nero (black cabbage on toast) followed by spaghetti con verdure. (seasonal vegetables.) Just to remind you, La Gramola also specialises in gluten-free. Let me know if you are visiting and perhaps we’ll take you there. Foto J Finnigan. Visit La Gramola at Website
Well, must get on with the day job. People to see, places to go and deals to be done.
Have a really great week and do drop me a line.
Salute June x
Ps. Visit my official author site at June’s site
The Trilogy – The Continuing Adventures of Joanna Wilde.
Well, I’m starting off today with the music scene, here in our lovely bit of Italy. I could write the whole blog and never leave this particular subject, as so much is going on musically. But worry ye not, there is much more to read about below. But I am sure you would want to know that the aging Bob Dylan will be gracing us with his presence on 7th April, appearing at The Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence. I was interested to read that last year he was made Poet Laureate for his song lyrics, unusual choice, but open to discussion. Foto Tour promotions. For details of all his Italian concert dates go to 
Also touring during February and March is the hugely popular gravelly Italian singer, Zucchero. Zucchero translates to sugar, and a very sweet man he is too. His real name is Adelmo Fornaciari and is described as a blues artist who has sold more than sixty million records in his lifetime! At sixty-three he’s still going strong. Foto La Reppublica. Buy tickets at 
Anyway, on a brighter note, I found this gorgeous Sodini handbag in La Reppublica’s weekend magazine. I think it is truly beautiful and it’s so nice to have a relaxed happy model in the picture. Oh, dear, I have just discovered that the brand can be bought in Certaldo, at Magnolia in Via Giugno. What to do? My man will kill me if I buy another handbag! I’ll have to find an excuse somehow! Visit 
Just lately, I have been getting really put off the fashion shows as so many designers use these awful miserable looking models that don’t even seem to be enjoying the clothes they are wearing! Sorry, I just don’t understand it. They may as well just use remote-controlled robots, that would at least be more interesting.
This is also Silvio Berlusconi’s party, which is currently holding third place in the opinion poles. Posters are now appearing on the big metal boards erected a couple of weeks ago. Although we are residents here, we don’t appear to have voting rights. Mind you, I would not have a clue as to who to vote for, but then I felt the same way when we lived in England in the distant past! I’ll keep you posted. Foto La Nazione.
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