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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and new Followers

Farty Barty on a favourite perch over the orange trees. Foto P Finnigan

Farty Barty on a favourite perch over the orange trees. Foto P Finnigan

“How is Farty Barty?” I hear you say and I realise that he has not had a mention for a while.  You may recall that Barty is a semi-wild cat and he has asked me to remind you that he should not be confused with the domestic varieties that go and have their bits chopped off and lounge around getting fat for the rest of their lives!  In this respect I hear a lot of argument, but if every vet had their way, they would wipe out Tuscan wild cats by neutering and castrating willy-nilly.  Excuse my play on words.   So now at the age of nine, Barty can honestly say he has had and will continue to have, a good life with a free hotel for the occasional meal and recovery in a soft cushioned wicker chair, before going back out there into the Chianti hills and living the life of Riley.  Sometimes he is gone for days, so we are always pleased to see him when he trots in, acting as if he as if he had only been gone a few hours!

A gorgeous designer dress from Florence. Il Nazione.

A gorgeous designer dress from Florence.
Il Nazione.

Back in Certaldo enjoying our morning coffee, I read an advertisement for a beautiful dress designer shop in Florence.  Now, as I have said before, I do believe that the Italians have the edge on fashion design, and this is a reminder.  I will be going to Florence the week after next and will spend a couple of hours drooling over the shop windows.  Yes, we have other labels here from all around the world, but there is no comparison with the handbags, shoes and clothes made in this beautiful country.  unemployment is high, but if you are blessed with the skill of creative design, you will survive here.

Giorgio De Chirico exhibition in Ferrara. Il Nazione.

Giorgio De Chirico exhibition in Ferrara.
Il Nazione.

“Oh, look at this!” My man says as he thrusts his newspaper towards me.  “A private art collection has been discovered and its being exhibited in Ferrara.  It’s that amazing early twentieth century style, symbolism I think, and these were painted by Giorgio De Chirico.”  I look at the pictures, we both like this style and note down the website.  It’s a little too far for us to visit, but it’s great to read about new amazing discoveries like this!

I have just checked out the latest on the gorgeous Silvio and there is nothing of interest to report.  This year he will be eighty so it will probably be his last throw at getting re-elected this time round.  Watch this space…..

The stunnning 'Patty Pravo' age 67 and other aging girlie rockers! Il Nazione

The stunning ‘Patty Pravo’ age 67 and other aging girlie rockers!
Il Nazione

So instead I will mention two other icons that are currently on tour in Italy, Brian May, the former Queen Lead Guitarist and Bruce Springsteen, also known as the boss.  Now it always gives me immense pleasure to see the Aging Rocker tours sold out in Italy.  My also being one, of course, although much more low profile.  I am still waiting to be discovered, but despite that will keep up the annual concerts in our garden, where the locals treat me like I’m world-famous!  There’s nothing like being Famous in Fiano!

OK, so I must revert back to writing the CyberCrime thriller, which I have been commissioned to do and of course the third book in the Joanna Wilde Trilogy, ‘The Italian Connection.’  I also read a lot, which is important for authors, and have just discovered a writer called Charles Todd who has written ‘A Test of Wills’ about Inspector Ian Rutledge.  It is set in the years just after the First World War and I am really enjoying it.

Well, enough of that.  After a week of chilly weather, but with a sun hot enough to allow lunch in the garden, rain and cold winds are here.  So I think we will be forced to go out and eat at ‘C’era una Volta’ today.  I recently read something about de-stressing by going into the kitchen and cooking!  Well that’s not for me, I recommend chilling out in someone else’s kitchen, you can join us if you like!  Visit http://www.ristorante-ceraunavolta.com

Have a great week and do remember that I love to hear from you.  Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and new Followers

Stefano on Lead Guitar Photo Chiara Benelli

Stefano on Lead Guitar
Photo Chiara Benelli

My head is full of rock music!  It happens every January as I start preparing the repertoire for my next Rock concert in June.  Stefano Bartalesi, the Rock Chick Band’s brilliant lead guitarist and organiser, has suggested that my choice of ‘Sultans of Swing,’ that great Dire Straits song, may be a little difficult to reproduce so we will have to try it out and see.  Otherwise, new covers this year will include The Beatles, George Harrison, Robert Plant, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel and Amy Winehouse.  The concert is by private invitation only, so if you would like to join us in our Tuscan garden on 25th June, drop me an email at june.finnigan@virgin.net.  We’d love to see you and despite what a certain ‘person’ has said, I am not trawling for groupies!

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, just cover up the naughty bits! La Nazione

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, just cover up the naughty bits! La Nazione

Now I won’t dwell on the next subject because you will have already seen this on the news all around the world.  However, I just thought you might like to have a local perspective on the subject of Iran and Italy getting into bed together.  Yes, literally, because as far as many Italians and our friends in the bar are concerned, covering up all the so-called ‘nasty naughty bits’ on the country’s beautiful statues was an act of prostitution!  Now Italy has always been described as openly corrupt, but some say this was exactly that in reverse.  Grovel and ye shall be gifted with large sums of Iranian money!

Marco Mangoni - Rock Star and Tennis Player. La nazione sports magazine.

Marco Mengoni – Rock Star and Tennis Player.
La nazione sports magazine.

OK lets move on.  Back in Bar Solferino, I read about my two greatest passions, sport and rock music.  Not forgetting my gorgeous man of course, who was in London at the time doing a bit of business.  Nothing could be more up my street than an article about legendary rock stars, including the yummy Brian Ferry, and the topical subject of Tennis!  Italy also has its own Tennis playing rock star, by the name of Marco Mengoni, so for you girlies here are some pictures to drool over!

Big Puppy 'Magico'. foto J Finnigan

Big Puppy ‘Magico’.
foto J Finnigan

Now do you recall ‘Big Puppy’ who we called ‘Bianco’ on account of his being white?  Well he came into the bar this morning, having grown to half his adult size at the age of six and a half months, dragging his market stall owner behind him.  It turns out that his real name is ‘Magico.’  Don’t you just love that name? He is so gorgeous, although the only thing he is interested in is what everyone else is eating.  So for all you other dog lovers, here is his foto.

Have a really great week, don’t forget to drop me a line and visit http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute Buon Amici

June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Mimosa Blossom in our garden on 29th January! Foto J Finnigan

Mimosa Blossom in our garden on 29th January!
Foto J Finnigan

 

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Bentornati to all my lovely Loyal Followers and Benvenuti to all my new ones,

Well, today the 10th January is very special as it is my gorgeous man’s birthday and I adore him.  The sun is shining and it may just be warm enough to have lunch in the garden!  He wanted to have a quiet relaxed day today as we went out for a lunch with friends yesterday.  So we popped down for coffee in Certaldo and, on cue, everyone shouted ‘Auguri e Buon Compleanno’ as we entered Caffe Il Solferino and my man grinned from ear to ear.  One of the things I love about Italians is that if you have something to celebrate, complete strangers rush over to shake your hand, so my man felt very special before the day had barely started.

The witch known as Bafana. Il Nazione.

The good witch known as Befana.
La Nazione.

Cedrino digestivo. Photo J Finnigan

Cedrina digestivo.
Photo J Finnigan

In Italy, the first week in January is considered almost as special and exciting as Christmas week.  Particularly because Befana, otherwise known as Epiphany, is celebrated on 6th.  It was the day when the three kings came to visit the newborn babe with gifts.  Italian children wake up all agog as they hope that the good witch, Bafana, will have considered them well-behaved and deserving a present.

The whole country takes a holiday (yes, another festa) and do daft things like going for a swim in freezing water wearing witch’s masks and little else.  Bafana sometimes arrives on foot, by bicycle or even ab-sails down from the church tower depending on where you live.  We decided to go to Ristorante C’era Una Volta for lunch, which is unusual for us as it is sometimes best to avoid festa days.  But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as the place was full of friendly faces and good cheer.  Paolo presented us with a bottomless bottle of home-made Cedrina, a delicious and very strong lemony digestivo, to drink at the table.

The Trevi Fountain re-opens in Rome. LaNnazione.

The Trevi Fountain re-opens in Rome.
La Nazione.

The hugely popular series 'Don Metteo' La Nazione.

The hugely popular series ‘Don Matteo’
La Nazione.

Other exciting things to happen since 1st January, when by the way, it was warm enough to eat outside, were the re-opening of the Trevi Fountain or Fontana di Trevi in Rome (it sounds so much better in Italian) and the return to TV of the ‘Don Matteo’ series, which I love.  The latter is a humorous, sometimes serious, drama starring a speeding priest on a bicycle in flowing robes and a hapless station of Carabinerie (Italian Policemen) in a beautiful nameless hilltop town somewhere in Italy.  We watched the first one last Sunday and there’s another one tonight.  The only thing is, it reminds me how, after eleven years in Italy, my Italian is still pretty basic!  Hey ho, must do better!

I’m going to take a break now and will come back to you this evening.  I’m off to cook stuffed Chick Pea flour pancakes and baked pears for my lovely man.  The sun is still shining and hot enough to eat outside; hurrah!

An evening with VinSanto on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

An evening with Vin Santo on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Here I am after a lovely lunch in the garden and a much-needed siesta.  I wanted to tell you that the New year always excites me, because my next concert is only a few months away and I have been concluding my final repertoire over the holiday.  I’ve added some fabulous new songs including Paul Weller, Dire Straits, Robert Plant and Peter Gabriel.  Watch this space for more news.

Well must tidy this blog up and get downstairs for an aperitivo with the birthday boy.

Have a great week and see you next time.

Salute June x

PS Grazie to all you Christmas buyers of my books.

Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Father XmasWell, it’s that time of year when people start to do and say funny things like, after Christmas I’m going on a diet or I’m not going to shave until after the holiday.  Now my man comes into the latter catagory, which means that kisses under the mistletoe get a bit scratchy.  I know that lots of girlies like their men to have a bit of stubble, it’s considered matcho, but I’m afraid I find the whole sensation of being kissed by a prickly chin rather off-putting, not to say dangerous.  But hey, I’d rather be kissed by my man than not, so I will persevere, despite the beard!

Christmas Man with beard. La Nazione

Christmas Man with beard.
La Nazione

On the subject of men, my man and I enjoyed coffee twice this morning.  Firstly at the Jam Cafe, because we could not park in our usual place due to a huge market in Certaldo and secondly at Il Solferino after having trecked through all the market stalls along Via Giugno.  We settled in to read the papers and there for you girlies to drool over, I found Christmas man.  Yes, another watch advert, but it’s the guy wearing it that matters, don’t you think?  My man grinned over the top of his newspaper and said; “Now here’s an interesting snippet.  Research has now proved that Hitler only had one ball!  But we military men already knew that and we had a song we used to sing about it, yes a rude one….”  He turned and shared the joke with the man behind him on the next table.  So you had one Brit and one Italian laughing their heads off about a German and a missing ball!

Now, I am trying to get my head around Christmas.  I’ve got all the presents and most of the food, but we have failed to get a real Christmas Tree as we left it too late.  Yesterday morning we did a huge circle from Certaldo to Poggibonsi, up to San Casciano and back again, but they were all gone.  So, unless we hit lucky, I will have to do some sort of festive table arrangement and put the presents around it.  The grandkids will not be impressed though. On the journey my man and I  had both felt  bit jaded and thought we were getting the dreaded Christmas virus.  “My face feels strange.”  He said, rubbing his chin.  “What, sort of tingly?”  I asked.  “No hairy.”  He grinned.

December view from here. Photo J Finnigan

December view from here.
Photo J Finnigan

December sunset. Photo J Finnigan

December sunset.
Photo J Finnigan

Earlier in the week, I had been getting a little fed up with the cloudy, foggy weather.  The temperature here in Tuscany was lower than London, where my man was putting in his last few days at the grind stone before the Festive break.  Then come Thursday the sun came out and bathed everything in gold and the sunset that evening gave me a huge lift, so I took a couple of photos for you.

Things are pretty hectic here now in the run up to the big day and needless to say, something has to give.  So please forgive me if I take a couple of weeks off from writing to you.  The good news is I will have lots to tell you about the festivities here in Tuscany in the New year.  In the meantime, I want to say a big thank you to all my readers for buying my books throughout 2015.  It has been a record year for sales and your support is so very much appreciated.  Don’t forget there is still time to download your Christmas reading, if you have not already done so.  Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Have a wonderful Christmas and Buon Natale

Salute June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

The idol Silvio (Jesu) Berlusconi Photo sdpf

Silvio (Jesu) Berlusconi
Photo sdpf

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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Snowy mountains in the distance. Photo P Finnigan

Snowy mountains in the distance.
Photo P Finnigan

This morning’s train was delayed, so to get my man to the airport on time, we drove to the half-way point at Empoli where he could hop on a fast train from Florence.  He was slumped in the driver’s seat with a very long face.  “Look I’m wearing my overcoat, it’s so cold.  Don’t you just hate it?”  He groaned.  “Well, it will be even colder in London.”  I say unhelpfully.  But then I pointed out the beautiful view of the snow topped mountains against the bright blue sky and got a glimmer of a smile.  Bless him.  It is some time since we have driven down to Empoli and at least three new roundabouts have been introduced on the main road!  Rumours abound that certain well-known people own a lot of the land where roundabouts are built and that these certain people have pocketed the money paid by the authorities for road improvements.  Mmmm.  Well, driving back, I could see no need for these small roundabouts other than slowing the traffic down for a few seconds!  Meanwhile, the road surfaces remain appalling, in fact so bad that if this was England, drivers would have sued the pants off the local authorities by now!  Hey ho…  But the view of the snow topped mountains had been fantastic, so I smiled, shrugged and got on with driving back home via Fiano.

Speaking of Fiano, our local village, the senior villagers called a crisis meeting last Friday, to decide what to do with the recently abandoned coffee bar attached to the barely used old cinema.  It is called the cinema, however, the only things that happen there are the occasional concert and electoral days.  This last week the village was dead.  Laura’s Alimentare (grocery)/bar was closed again and so there was nowhere to get a coffee!  The butcher, baker, chemist and Milko’s Cartolibreria remain open, but we wonder for how long?  I was unable to attend the meeting and wait to hear the outcome.  Something must be done to bring the village back to life again, it’s all very sad as we are more likely to be found in Certaldo these days.

Rallies for Paris. La Nazione.

Rallies for Paris. La Nazione.

Down in Certaldo last Wednesday, like thousands of other towns and cities in Italy, a rally took place in memory of those murdered in Paris.  All the communities came together including the migrant population.  We have a small Muslim community and many North Africans, and the numbers are rising.  Finding work is hard enough for the italians, so we can only see a difficult time ahead.

Castello di Oliveto La Nazione

Castello di Oliveto
La Nazione

But on the bright side, A local landmark and popular place for weddings is The Castello di Oliveto.  High on a hill between Certaldo and Castelfiorentino, it is very beautiful indeed. A renowned professor has just confirmed that the 15th century architecture is attributed to Filippo Brunelleschi, the famous Florentine architect.  So this will now lift the status of the Castello to even greater heights.

The local police chief and two carabiniere. Photo - unnamed paparasa.

The local Commissario and two carabiniere. Photo – unnamed English woman.

Finally, I have slipped in a naughty photograph.  No not that kind!  The local Carabiniere do not like having their photos taken.  When the new Commissario arrived in Certaldo he was walking across the main Piazza in his very smart uniform with ribbons and lapels flapping, flanked by two lesser, but impressive colleagues and I asked if I could take a photo.  No, not allowed said one of the lesser ones!  Then this morning the three of them came into the cafe bar Il Solferino and I sneaked a photo by pretending to search for a signal on my phone.  Now, I don’t think they can arrest me because you cannot see their faces, but you never know.  Watch this space!

Well, must get on.  I may have some good news on a new home by the weekend; I’ll keep you posted.

have a great week.

Salute June x

Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

Read Full Post »

Benvenuti to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

Grapes ready for harvesting photo P Finnigan

Grapes ready for harvesting
photo P Finnigan

“The white grape harvest has definitely started.”  My man announced.  “Oh, yes?”  I reply.  I had been told by a local farmer, whilst sharing Dr Flavio’s waiting room, that he expected to start harvesting the white grapes last week.  “So how do you know this, I haven’t seen any activity these last few days?”  I asked my man.  “Well, it must have been the bloody great tractor pulling the trailer full of grapes, which went past our kitchen window just now!”  He grinned.  “Ah, that’s pretty certain then.”  I grin back.

Alessandro's cushion in the window of Laurara's Bar. Photo J Finnigan

Alessandro’s birth cushion in the window of Laura’s Bar.
Photo J Finnigan

Meanwhile, Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano was closed for a couple of days in the week and we guessed that Benedetta, Laura’s lovely daughter, was probably giving birth!  Yes, last Thursday evening baby Alessandro had arrived and Fiano is now celebrating this latest arrival.  Tanti Auguri to the new parents and grandparents. Now Laura’s bar is open again, so we can sit and watch the world go by in our local village once more.  At one of the tables there was a friendly argument going on about the best way to drive up to Certaldo Alto for a wedding.  For five minutes, five locals were all speaking at the same time saying “No, a sinistra!” “No, no a destra!” Our being foreigners know the best way to get up there as we have explored all the roads around the hilltop village.  But we did not intervene as it was all too entertaining to watch!  Of course most visitors take the little funiculare train from the main piazza in Certaldo, which runs every fifteen minutes.

Gondola racing in Venice. La Nazione magazine

Gondola racing in Venice.
La Nazione magazine

Back down in Certaldo, we enjoy our morning coffee at Bar Solferino and I read in the sporting magazine that there has been gondola racing in Venice.  Now we have been to Venice and its very beautiful and colourful.  Looking at the photo in the magazine I can see that it would be a great thing to go and watch.  I recall our last visit when we heard a gondolier singing Tom Jone’s song Delilah, as he paddled underneath the little bridge we were standing on.  We peered over the edge to find that he was entertaining a dozen Japanese, who were lapping it up!

Silvio Berlusconi back in the news. La Nazione

Silvio Berlusconi back in the news.

Ah, then I see in La Nazione newspaper that the Peter Pan of Politics is back in the news, after his summer break.  Well this is good news, we need something to entertain us with all the doom and gloom about the economy.   What’s our Silvio saying in the headline?  Mmmm, he is addressing someone called Salvini and seems to be saying ‘Burlesconi to Salvini It is not for you to decide on the reforms and opening of the shipyard.‘  Now, I have often had the Italians rolling in the isles over my translations.  He may be saying ‘It is not up to you to decide whether to buy a cabbage or a horse.’  Either way, I’m sure it’s a very important subject!

More lovely Hibiscus. Photo J Finnigan

More lovely Hibiscus.
Photo J Finnigan

Succulents flowering in teh sunshine. Photo J Finnigan

Succulents flowering in the sunshine.
Photo J Finnigan

Back in our lovely terraced garden the sun is shining and the flowering plants are putting on a great show.  So I thought I would pop in some pretty pictures.

Well, it is now Sunday morning and we are off to Montespertoli and checking out an abandoned villa on the way.  Just to remind you, we are looking for a large country house/villa to rent as our contract here ends next February.  Let me know if you hear of anything within easy reach of Certaldo.  Yes, life is one big adventure!

Have a really great week.

Salute June x  ps Check out my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

 

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Benvenuti to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

It is another beautiful Sunday morning in Tuscany and we could not help but notice how amazingly green the countryside is for the end of August.

The bottom line at the final of Miss Toscana. La Nazione.

The bottom line at the final of Miss Toscana.  La Nazione.

The New Miss Toscana, Francesca

The New Miss Toscana, Francesca Bandini. La Nazione.

Over coffee in Bar Solferino in Certaldo, I see in La Nazione newspaper that Miss Tuscany (Toscana) has been crowned.  My man, being very experienced at watching the female form and noticing a pretty face, commented that ‘she was pretty, but would probably not get to the final of Miss Italy (Italia)’.  For sure, the Italian judges do seem to have a thing for bottoms and perhaps their eye was taken away by the amazing exposure of the candidates’ cheeky rear views.  Anyway, we should wish our girlie, Francesca Bandini, good luck in the next round.

Yesterday I read an article about Italians in the UK.  It is curious that while we northern Europeans wax lyrical about Italy, the Italians have been flocking to the UK.  And we are not talking about tourists, these are emigrants and the UK now has the third largest Italian residency in the world.  Yes, we love living in Italy, however, we are not reliant on earning a living here.  If we were, we might have to leave too!  Now its rare for me to write negative things about Tuscany, however, all around us we are saddened by the neglect of the infrastructure, the closed shops and abandoned industrial buildings and sites.  Our little local village of Fiano has huge weeds growing out of the pavements.  Granted this last two weeks has been the annual holiday here, but we have been watching the slow deterioration over quite a long time.  The people of Fiano are a lovely lot, but I fear that they have even lost any incentive to keep their village tidy.  Last week, an eighty plus Signora was struggling to pull out some strong weeds in the pavement outside her house.   Next to her was the bus shelter, weeds growing up the walls and litter dumped all around the seat underneath.  But the responsibility really lies with the local authorities.  Very sad.

Fur trimmed Gucci shoes and no socks. La Nazione

Fur trimmed Gucci shoes and no socks.
La Nazione

Stuart Gilmore of Pink Floyd, now and then. La nazione

Stuart Gilmore of Pink Floyd, now and then.
La Nazione

But on a much lighter note, one has to cringe at the new shoes from Gucci.  Fur trimmed shoes for men.  Now this is not for warmth as the style would not work if the wearer had socks on.  Only in Italy!

Meanwhile the Rock festival in Empoli has gone down really well.  There is an article about Pink Floyd in the paper, a band that is hugely popular here, and I see that a film has been made immortalizing the band called ‘Live in Pompei’.  I must check this out.

There has been little news of Silvio Berlusconi of late, so I will dig a bit deeper and update you next weekend.  So finally, here is a lovely bunch of grapes in our garden.  The Vendemmia (grape harvest) is beginning and will really get busy over the next couple of weeks.  The Agriturismo hotels are filling up with tourists who want to  witness and/or take part in the harvest.  We are told it should be a good year for Chianti! Yes, we all shout and raise our glasses.

Juishy grapes in our garden Photo P Finnigan

Juicy grapes in our garden
Photo P Finnigan

Have a really good week.

Salute June x

PS Don’t forget to visit my author site at http://www.amazon.co/author/junefinnigan

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Read Full Post »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

A Cool Cat - FArty Barty on the outside table. Foto J Finnigan

A Cool Cat – Farty Barty on the outside table.
Foto J Finnigan

How to stay cool?  That is the question on everyone’s sun-dried lips as we take coffee accompanied by chilled fizzy water in Fiano?  It’s getting even hotter here and is expected to be up in the forties by the end of the week.  Farty Barty the cat has worked out a clever system to match the height and the angle of the sun, gradually moving around the garden and falling asleep again.  By lunchtime he has been stretched out on the outside table for at least three hours.  The table is shaded by a brolly which in turn is shaded by some ancient cypress trees, and the air flows up through the latticed surface.  Purrfect.  Watering the garden is now a daily chore and despite the heat and lack of rain, the upper terrace is looking lovely.  The Bougainvillea is as beautiful as last year and the

The fabulous Bugenvellia. Foto J Finnigan

The fabulous Bougainvillea.
Foto J Finnigan

potted Hydrangea have been heavy with flowers.   There are lots of fascinating insects too, and I don’t mean the Zanzari (mosquitos), we could do without those!  We are also getting a great show from the birds, Bee-eaters, Jays and Hoopies, all brightly coloured and with birdsong so typical of this area.  We just love it.

Adio Omar Shariff xxx Foto Il Nazionale

Addio Omar Sharif xxx
Foto Il Nazionale

Meanwhile, I have a few moments of sadness, while I take coffee in Certaldo with the gorgeous Omar Sharif for the last time.  He has gone to join all those other twinkling movie stars in the sky.  How many times did you go and see Dr Zivago?  I lost count after ten times.  I cried buckets every time poor Omar hammered on the inside of the moving tram’s window, but Lara kept walking and did not see him. Oh god, I’ve got a lump in my throat just thinking about it!  And the wonderful dark arab character in Lawrence of Arabia, sigh….  So addio Omar, you will not be forgotten.

Jovanotte in one of his many outer space outfits. I Terreno giornale

Jovanotti in one of his many outer space outfits.
I Terreno giornale

But on a brighter note, Tuscany has been rocking to the sound of  Jovanotti, the Italian singer adored by the Italians and more besides.  Our beautiful daughter and granddaughter went to his concert and had a fabulous time and came back with the t-shirts.   Apparently, forty thousand fans turned up!

July is awash with music festivals at Lucca, Pistoia and Florence.  Great acts currently include Sting and Mumford & Sons.  The 60’s Romantic Italian singer Don Backy is also touring again at the age of seventy-four – rock on that man!

The lovely shady dining terrace at Il Castello in Certaldo Alto. Foto J Finnigan

The lovely shady dining terrace at Il Castello in Certaldo Alto.
Foto J Finnigan

On a quieter note, I am planning to skip cooking tomorrow and take my man back to Il Castello in Certaldo Alto for lunch.  The food is excellent and they have a lovely shady terrace.  One needs calming moments during a hot hardworking week.  And on the subject of food, I had best go and check out what we can put together for lunch.  On the other hand, I think a long glass of Pinot Grigio first and then perhaps some ideas for lunch might come easier!  I know, I’m such a terrible glutton for good wine and other people’s cooking; our grandchildren call us the ‘Cafe People’!

Have a really great week, stay cool and do drop me a line.  Salute June x

PS Don’t forget to check out my books on Amazon.

My Father, The Assassin.  Book one in the series.

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection'  Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

 

 

 

 

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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Rose on the upper tarrace. Photo P Finnigan

Rose on the upper terrace.
Photo P Finnigan

There is no other way to explain it, I have finally clambered out of a deep dark ravine and reached Heaven.  I am telling you this, so you can understand just how bad the last ten days in bed with influenza has been, and how fantastic it was to emerge onto our fabulous terraces to find that everything had greened up, flowered and blossomed to resemble the garden of Eden.  Just about every single tree and shrub is in full colour, wafting out great clouds of perfume. Oh, thank god for the Chianti Hills.

But I am not rushing things.  Forgive me if I do not send you a lengthy blog as the virus has not been kind to my state of mind, and lucidity is essential for writing entertaining stories.  So instead, here is a lovely rose for you to enjoy until next weekend.

Salute June x

Do visit your Amazon site anywhere in the world to find my books.  Enjoy x

My Father, The Assassin.  Book one in the series.

My Father, The Assassin. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection'  Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

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25th April.  The Festa Della Liberazione March in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

25th April. The Festa Della Liberazione March in Certaldo.
Photo J Finnigan

Benvenuti to all My Lovely Loyal and New Followers

Last Saturday was a very important day for Italy as we were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Allied Force’s final flushing out of the  German occupation.  Whilst different parts of Italy were freed a little earlier or later, it is the 25th April when that event is celebrated.  Now, I found this very emotional as I watched the parade in Certaldo.  Old boys struggling along and in wheelchairs.  The band was followed by every generation from the few remaining Partisans through to their great-grandchildren.  Also marching were representatives of the fire brigade, ambulance and of course the police and army.

25th April.  Home grown local fruit and veg in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

25th April. Home grown local fruit and veg in Certaldo.
Photo J Finnigan

The main piazza was full of colourful stands selling fruit, veg and crafts.   As the sun was quite bright and over-head, the stall holders and their products were in the shade, so getting a good photo was difficult.  However, I did manage to take a few nice ones.

I am currently writing my third novel entitled ‘The Italian Connection’ and a couple of years ago I interviewed a Partisan in Montespertoli, as I intended using his story in the book.  Gianfranco was already in his late-eighties and was a young man when the occupation began.  He told me a story about how he lost close friends and hid in caves and other peoples’ houses for months on end.  He is immortalised in the book, so I will let you know when it is published and hopefully before Christmas.  Very emotional stuff.

Remembering Saturday lunchtime.  Beautiful. Photo J Finnigan

Remembering Saturday lunchtime. Hot and sunny. Beautiful.
Photo J Finnigan

It is Monday morning and hard to believe that Saturday had been so hot and sunny.  The wind is currently howling around the villa, it is raining and everything looks grey.  My poor man is in bed with an English virus, having returned from London last Saturday evening, and Farty Barty the wild cat is curled up tight on his kitchen chair, which is a sure sign that the bad weather is not going to disappear very quickly.  But the good news is on the weekend we saw Hoopies, swallows, Jays, and heard the first Cuckoo and Bee Eaters!  Yes, Life eez good ninety-nine percent of the time!

Silvio at AC Milan Photo Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Silvio at AC Milan
Photo Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

So what is Silvio Berlusconi up to I wonder?  Perhaps he can cheer us up.  Ah, just as I thought, SB appears to be close to selling 75% of his shareholding in Milan football club to a Chinese consortium including Hong Kong’s Richard Lee.  The one billion euro takeover bid is expected to include Silvio’s daughter Barbara.  Hang on a minute, I’ll read that again!  Ah yes, that is ‘to include Barbara continuing in her position as club director.’  Mmmm, there is also a whisper the Chinese Government is playing an instrumental role – see, what did I tell you?  They are everywhere…..

Well, enough of that.  I must go and see if I can encourage my man to eat something, poor thing.

Have a really great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June

PS Don’t forget to visit Amazon for my current books.

My Father, The Assassin.  Book on in the series.

My Father, The Assassin. Book on in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection'  Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

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