Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
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.
I have taken to tucking in for three to four days, then popping up to our local village of Fiano, when our water bottles need refilling and picking up any foodstuffs from La Dispensa at the same time. It’s currently one out, one in as we wait our turn, at least one metre apart, outside the shop. The Cirri family who run the place are absolute stars and deliveries are still coming in. So plenty of fresh fruit, veg and bread.
Fabio, Sandra and Rosella Cirri at ‘La Dispensa’ foto J Finnigan
The Italians are a wonderful mix of people, but whatever their background they are naturally sociable. So this is proving really hard for the elderly who normally sit snuggled up around coffee bar tables or on benches watching the world go by. I heard said that one person’s nonna, aged ninety-two, believes she is destined to die alone! So, there is a lot of sadness around.
On the other hand, the Italians love to sing and make music. Organised mini-concerts with instruments or pots and pans, are happening on people’s balconies. Yesterday, at around 6pm, music and song filled the air. And, of course, they love to eat, so the families will continue to enjoy their pranzo and cena. For many, eating large meals at home has always been the norm.
- Breaking News – a 76 year old man from our local village of Fiano has been tested positive for the virus and is in hospital. We may have to rethink things; a kind friend has offered to deliver groceries to us!
I sincerely hope that you are all coping with this virus, wherever you are in the world. I cannot say strongly enough that you all should take it very seriously indeed. It doesn’t matter what your government is saying, your family must come first. Protect yourselves!
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!
May you all enjoy this time together with your families; drink good wine, play music and eat well. And, stay safe.
Salute June xx
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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!
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