Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
What a fabulous birthday week. Surrounded by family, gorgeous presents, sunshine and a delicious supper at Osteria Di Casa Chianti.
One of the most delightful things about living here in Tuscany is that one can buy Italian Made products a short drive away. No need to trawl the internet, we are surrounded by local Artisans. Now my beautiful daughter knows me really well. What I would choose to buy myself, colours and indulgences. So what did she buy me? Yes, you guessed it, a handbag! But this is no ordinary handbag, it was hand-made in Florence and is a really high quality. And, look at that colour, so rich and luscious. I started using it straight away! Thank you my darling Sharon.
I begged my man to buy me some ceramics from our local village of Fiano. He wondered if this was personal enough, but gave in when he was reminded that I am a girlie who is already piled high with perfumes and scarves. So he came with me to Ceramiche Carbini Gabriella and spotted a large black and white dish, which was very nice, but I already had my mind set on certain colours to blend in with our kitchen. I am always drawn towards torquoise and blues, this must be something to do with being a water sign! So here is my choice, a lovely collection of dishes and vases embelished with pomegranites. There is also a larger dish, which is displayed on the kitchen table. We have several pomegranite trees in the garden that are already showing off their bright red blossoms, so the cermamics have brought a little bit of the outside inside. Thank you my lovely man. xxx
Now, one of the most famous trees Italy is known for is the Lemon Tree. My sister-in-law, who sadly could not be here, organised the arrival of a lovely little tree in a hand-made Terracotta pot. It is already boasting a little green lemon, so I must take good care of it. Lemon Trees must be taken inside during the winter months and it is a sure sign of late Spring when we see lots of lemon trees appearing on terraces and doorsteps. Yet another wonderful tradition in this beautiful country. Thank you La Bella Jane. xxx
My birthday supper was wonderful. Spoilt rotten by Max the owner and his really efficient theatrical staff, the family enjoyed prossecco followed by a bottle of Sticchiano Reserva wine. Oops sorry, yes we did eat too! The Osteria specialises in Tartufo (Truffles) that are sourced from the Tuscan countryside. My anti-pasti (starter) was Creamy Buratta Cheese with liberal shavings of white truffle over the top. Delicious. The Digestivo (after dinner liqueur) list is amazing too. We were impressed by our teenage granddaughter’s knowledge of the various Vin Santos; the waiter was dumbstruck. Oh, and Max gave me a present to take home; a bottle of his own label red wine designed by his young son. Thank you to Max and the team xxx http://www.osteriadicasachianti.it
Well, I know, I’m trying to prolong my birthday celebrations. The only sadness is that this is the second year without a Rock Chick Band concert in our garden and a house full of friends. But then everyone has made sacrifices and at least we can now look forward to planning next year’s bash with renewed confidence.
Wherever you are in the world, I wish you good health and happiness. May my joy of living here in Tuscany touch you and bring an extra ray of sunshine to your lives.
Salute June x
Contact me via my website at http://www.junefinnigan.website
STOP PRESS! The Cicaddas have arrived, so summer begins in earnest!
To be honest, when the month of June arrived I felt a little deflated. As many of you know it is my birthday month and I normally celebrate with a live Rock Chick Band concert in my garden. But, for obvious reasons, we had to cancel. Then I had an inspiration! Downstairs we have a guest apartment which is only used occasionally and always when we have concert guests. One room houses our old upright piano and nothing else but a tapa cloth hung on the wall, which we bought back from Fiji in 1984. I know, the tapa cloth is just incidental, but it’s rather beautiful. Anyway, what I was about to say was, I decided to make better use of the room and turn it into a sound studio! Yes! But I need all the right 
equipment microphone and speakers etc. So I decided to spoil myself and thank you to our good friend John for his advice, I have ordered a PA System, a PreSonus PX-1 Large Diaphragm Microphone and a TC HeliconVoice Tone C1 Hardtune and Correction Vocal Processor. Unless you are a musician, you will now be as confused as I am. I am just a singer who is struggling to learn the guitar. I have always left the technical side to the guys in the band and turn up when Stefano shouts ‘June, soundcheck!” So now I am really excited, this wretched virus may have opened a whole new world to me, the real confusion will start when all the equipment arrives in about ten days time! But I will have the help of my ‘long-haired lover from Bristol’ which is the name I have given my man who is looking like a long-haired rodie from the seventies!
OK, so what next? Oh yes, so what has been happening in Tuscany this last week? I hear you ask. Well, the borders are now all open and it is a huge relief for those in the tourist industry. Second homes owned by northern Europeans, who will be driving across the border at this moment, will soon be occupied. It also brings with it a certain amount of risk as the virus here is by no means over. But, at the end of the day, we must continue to be vigilant and the rules are still mask wearing and distancing, which the Italians have mostly supported without argument. But how I long to see everyone hugging and kissing again, it’s been especially hard in Italy as Italians are a naturally demonstrative and warm. We currently greet old friends by tapping elbows together or blowing kisses through our masks! Hey ho.
But you would never believe that there has been a lock-down in our little bit of countryside on the edge of Chianti. Everything looks the same, from the land changing with the seasons to the wild life finding mates and reproducing. The male toads in our pond have been incredibly noisy over the last few days and fascinating to hear, even if we can’t manage to spot one! The number of birds in our garden, which has lots of mixed trees like our ancient Oak, has been incredible this year. Just about every european species imaginable. Bee Eaters have been gathering on top of the bare branches of an Acacia tree, woodpeckers, a pair of Jays, masses of tits, finches and redstarts. Wood pigeons and Doves, I could go on but I am not an expert and could get some names wrong! So we sit under our sun brolly every evening, with a nice aperitivo, to watch and listen. Needless to say, it’s an absolute joy living here.
Meanwhile, my man who miraculously ‘mostly’ enjoys my cooking at home, has agreed to go to the restaurant twice a week. Now for some reason, during the last couple of weeks I have gone brain dead over cooking and have found it an absolute chore. But I seem to have taken the pressure off myself by reading and writing again! Yes, ‘Assassin’s List’ my fourth novel is flowing like a bubbling brook as my heroine Joanna Wilde goes off on another exiting covert mission!
(mosquito) with the other. “You know I’m a trained killer, don’t you?” He looks me straight in the eyes as if I have never heard this story before. “Yes, darling, I do know that you are a trained killer and a former Commando, but how is that going to help with these zanzare?” I offer a serious inquisitive look. “Well, the secret is to remain absolutely still so the enemy can’t see you, then when they are almost on top of you, you lash out with one fatal blow and Bob’s your Uncle!” He says with great authority. ‘Theres one behind you now!” I warn. He starts flapping his hands around the back of his neck and cursing with the F word. “Err, you missed it!” I shout. He jumps to his feet. “I’ll go and get one of those big outside lemon candles!” He swaggers off looking like John Wayne from behind. “Get off your horse and drink your milk!” I call after him. The thing about Zanzare, is to expect them to find a bit of skin to munch on, no matter how much protection you have smothered yourself in. They even manage to get me under my knicker elastic, how on earth do they do that? My man says it’s because I’m hot stuff, fortunately his eyesight is getting worse as he gets older. Foto NY Times.
Going back to the first sentence of this blog, we did have a great week. Two visits to C’era una Volta ristorante really made it for me. As you know, I am not an enthusiastic cook and having steaming plates of pasta cooked for us was heaven. We also downed a delicious bottle of Bibbiano Chianti Reserva both times. Now it’s all about, when do we next go? My man is embroiled in on-line meetings that often overlap the lunchtime, so I am sometimes forced to cook something.
Meanwhile, the markets have reopened in Certaldo and nearby Tavernelle, so I must make the effort to pop into town and buy a load of seasonal fruit and veg. yes, things are beginning to return to a semblence of normality here, but there remains a lot of political argument about whether the Regional Borders should remain closed. Tuscany and many of the southern regions are scared of attracting northerners again, bringing more of the virus with them! It’s a difficult one.
Meanwhile, outside in our beautiful Tuscan garden and on our morning walk before coffee, we needed two hands to count the number of new flowering bushes. Oleander in various shades of pink, pomegranate with lovely crimson flowers, perfumed white Jasmin the smell of which fills the air before you get anywhere near it and pale pink Rosehip flowers. I could go on, but it would be endless.
We also have a rainwater pond, fenced in to protect it from the outside track and large animals. It’s alive with the song of the toads every evening, but can you get to see one? No chance, their camouflage is far too good. A few years ago, during a drought, a huge long legged brown toad, marched across our terrace and plopped itself into the cat’s water bowl! Farty Barty the cat, sat and stared at it but made no attempt to move it. What a sight for sore eyes that was!
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. 
But otherwise, it being the season of fashion, last week was the mens’ time for strutting their stuff, this week has had the newspapers full of Bimbi Pitti (children’s) fashion. Now I am a little out of touch with children’s fashion outside of Italy, but here the kids are very fashion conscious and from an early age. Black is very vogue and apparently styles are currently being influenced by the Rock Music scene! Well, at least the Bimbi will be growing up with a taste for good rock music; I hope. Addio to the pastel shades we kids were adorned in, and that’s not a bad thing methinks. What do you think?
So what else is going on? I hear you ask. Well a great news magazine to follow, particularly for Florence and surroundings is The Florentine. I’ve mentioned this publication before and I follow it regularly, it’s also in English and can be subscribed to online if preferred. Events include HOPS/Brewer of the year, (there is and increasing number of micro-breweries popping up in Italy) A shop Vintage event and International Ice skating Awards. Busy, busy. 
OK, what next? Oh yes. The children returned to school last week and much is being talked about regarding the state of the buildings. Some students went out on strike as the temperature in the classrooms were as low as 10 degrees centigrade! Of course, we are now formerly in recession here (again) so spending on the essentials is not always happening. In today’s paper was an article about a survey of the under 18’s. The new young people (Giovani) mostly love school and their teachers. They have had enough of disputes and want to get on with preparing for the future. My man and I arrived here nearly fifteen years ago and so a whole new generation has grown up during that time. Fifteen years ago, society seemed thirty years behind us Brits, but the new Giovani seem to have caught up and cut the time difference down by at least half.
And moving to the much older generation, which includes the Peter Pan of politics Silvio Berlusconi. Yes, Silvio is back! At the age of 82, and as leader of Forza Italia, he is campaigning for the March elections for the European parliament. This assumes it hasn’t fallen apart by then, the parliament that is! Anyway, Silvio has a way of putting a bit of colour back into the world of politics. You either love him or hate him, either way, it makes for an interesting time.
Firstly, as you know, I mostly follow the Rock Music scene, my being an aging Rock singer, however, just occasionally I pick up on something else that really excites me. This time it is the amazing soprano voice of the young Martina Barreca. I must confess that what really caught my eye was the fact that she is getting together with rock musicians to do some ‘metal’ music. Now, I am not certain if a performance will be included in her up and coming stage show in Pisa, but she is such an amazing singer that I am tempted to go anyway, purely to hear her voice. 
Back in Fiano drinking coffee in La Dispensa, I read in La Repubblica a two page article about that gorgeous iconic actor Marcello Mastroianni. Brilliant actor, both serious and funny, I loved his many films alongside my favorite Italian actress Sophia Loren that we will watch again over Christmas. I’m thinking that, if you have any really favourite old films its important to get a load in on DVD. This is the only sure way of having them in your home; streaming has become hugely popular, but why risk having all your stuff in a cloud!
Funny how vinyl music records have become popular again. I have a lot of original 60’s and 70’s LPs, and as our music centre has died, I have been researching for a new ‘deck’ and speakers. I found this one, which has built-in speakers and might just buy it for a joint christmas present! What do you think? However, I need to persuade my man that the music centre really is dead; he never throws anything out, if it exists it’s repairable!
A band that beeped my radar last week, was Brit Floyd. I have to admit that I am not too keen on the idea of tribute bands, but I guess and if they are good, it does keep the live music out there. Brit Floyd have just completed their tour of Italy and I have taken the trouble to check them out on YouTube. They have their own style and have performed some of Pink Floyd’s classics really well. They sound and look good live, so why not give them a go! I sing cover songs, so who am I to cast any doubts! Their Balkan and European tour continues. 
And finally, much closer to home is the village of Marcialla, which has the lovely cosy little theatre called Teatro Communal Regina Margherita. It has lovely comfortable red velvet seats and is like something out of the vaudeville days! I have just picked up its winter/Spring performance dates and there will be evenings to suit all tastes. From comedy to children’s theatre, Jazz, opera, classical and other concerts. Even if you don’t speak Italian, you will love the atmosphere there. 
Instead, we drove up to the lower regions the spectacular Apennine Mountains and found Pietrasanta, a lovely historic and arty town, which my artist friend Anne Shingleton 
And on the subject of the latter, we took the trouble to walk as far as possible from the main piazza to the very last awning in the Via P.E.Barsanti, which beckoned above an osteria called Barsanta54. This was a little haven of nice arty furniture, but with a little class and not pretentious. Lovely waitress, the perfect ambience and delicious food. I can highly recommend this place to you. Foto J Finnigan 
And so, back to our little neck of the woods on the edge of Chianti; morning coffee and newspapers at La Dispensa in Fiano. I noticed in the paper that U2 is here on tour and Bono, bless his little cotton socks, has quoted “Thank you Italians for your love that you show for the refugees, others would be ashamed…” Mmmm, not sure if he has the whole picture here, but that is what he obviously believes. Foto La Repubblica.
In the same newspaper, I was really pleased to find some Rock Chick Fashion in Florence, with models that are happy and smiley, and I love the handbags. Go to The Bridge’s 
Anyway, In the countryside the grape harvest is all but done and the olive groves will shortly be full of imported workers and enthusiasts to pick the lovely healthy looking olives. So it is anticipated to be a good year for Extra Virgin Olive Oil this year, unlike 2017. Whoopee! Foto La Republica.
Only a short note, I’m afraid, as I am recovering from a nasty cold virus. The creative grey cells are still lying flat on their backs! So here is a foto from our window taken early morning on 1st October, to wish you a happy new month and to bring you all closer to our little bit of Chianti.
In a moment I’m going to wax lyrical about the plants and wild life in and around our beautiful garden here on the edge of Chianti. As before, I am not going to talk about Italian politics, other than the fact that we still have no government; you will just have to keep watching this space.
So, back to our garden and what a wonderful week we have been experiencing. Last weekend the Acacia trees started dripping with white blossoms and the Fiorentina Irises we planted last year have burst into flower! We have been swamped with butterflies, including the Swallowtail and the birds, well, the birds! We now have an owl which we have yet to identify, who hoots in the daytime, pairs of pheasant, Jays, Hoopees, swallows and wood pigeons. Arriving anytime soon will be the colourful Bee Eaters. Two visiting hares, deer and the occasional cinghiale (wild boar). And, the weather has been glorious, so my man and I have been able to spend aperitivo time outside, breathing in all the exotic perfumes! Fotos J Finnigan
And continuing on the subject of aperitivi, I’m really pleased to tell you that the last two weekends have seen us back over in Montespertoli for cocktails, a lovely village just twenty minutes from here. It is a year ago that we stopped going as the pressure of writing deadlines had me working away every weekend at the keyboard. But with the weather having turned to sunshine we have returned, and it is so nice to greet old friends again and watch the occasional vintage car rally hooting past. Foto J Finnigan.
One friend is the lovely Caterina, or I should say The Baroness Caterina de Renzis Sonnino. Caterina is a very hardworking lady who entertains guests from all over the world giving guided historical tours of Il Castello, Educational visits and Wine tastings. Yesterday the newspaper printed this article about a visit by Gucci, the Label having chosen Il Castello Sonnino as one of seven cultural projects. Now, I will try to find out a lot more when I next speak to Caterina, but in the meantime you should visit Il Castello’s website. My man and I were very lucky to have been given a private viewing a few years ago, and believe me it is an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric place to go. Oh, you can also stay there, so check it out here! 
Meanwhile, back in the world of Music, I noticed that good old Ringo Starr, or Sir Richard Henry Starkey, was in the news and is doing a tour in July/August. He will include Lucca, Marostica and Roma. Now I have been to outside concerts in Lucca, which is just over an hour from us, and the setting is fantastic. Open air concerts are held in one of the most beautiful piazzas and the acoustics are amazing. Now, in case you did not know, Ringo does do more than just play the drums; he also sings, acts and paints. It will be interesting to hear the old boy performing, he is seventy-eight, bless him! I think it’s great that so many of the oldies are still performing live, so there’s still hope for me being discovered at a late age and being sent off on tour! Rock on I say. Foto La Repubblica. See Ringo’s dates here 
Now, lest we forget, the 25th April was Liberation Day and it should be remembered that there are a lot of Partisans still alive today who can tell you all about the German Occupation. Apparently, we are supposed to say Nazi Occupation these days, strange how things get changed for the sake of the modern lifestyle and the now friendly relationship with Germany. There are some amazingly heroic stories still to be heard about the fight to rid the country of the nasty Nazi’s. My novel ‘The Italian Connection’ includes a bit based on a partisan’s real life experience, my having interviewed a lovely man called Gianfranco in Montespertoli a few years back. Foto La Nazione. Visit my author site at 
Meanwhile, something else being celebrated last week was the 50th anniversary of La Vespa. That iconic scooter that we all loved seeing in the sixties films and still to be seen today weaving in and out of the traffic in the major Italian cities, and whizzing through the country villages at the weekend, often in big convoys! Tourists can also hire bright red ones in Florence and surrounding areas, so I’m told. Did you ever have a Vespa Scooter or were you a Rocker like me, dangerously hanging off the back of 650 motorbikes? Hey ho! Send me some of your Fotos. Foto La Nazione. Visit Vespa’s site at 
And finally, lets end with another beautiful Italian fashion shoot, this time found in La Repubblica magazine. I just love this casual yet sophisticated colourful summer look. And, the models are so enjoying wearing the clothes, which as you know is something I strongly support, not the usual miserable lot many designers employ. Also, the weather here is now warm enough to enjoy having one’s feet back in sandals and flip-flops; wonderful. Visit Oltre’s site at 
Well, thank God for that, spring is really here at last and the forecast is sunshine for the next couple of weeks. But hang on a minute, if you are thinking of rushing out to Tuscany with your cossies, the swimming pools do not open up until the beginning of May and anyway the air temperature can still be quite chilly this time of year. On the other hand, there are no mossies around in April, so if you pack layers and don’t want to swim outside, come anyway! Foto J Finnigan
Now for me, spring brings a big lift to the spirits and I feel much more like going out and about. I noticed an advert for an exhibition over on the coast in Pietrasanta, which is in the Comune di Lucca. It’s called ‘Il dolce Rumore della Vita,’ which translates to ‘The Sweet Noise of Life’. It is all about paintings and sculpture by very talented people including the Irish sculptor Paddy Campbell and Tuscan artist Simona Dolci. I really fancy going over, and to breathe in some sea air before the bulk of the tourists arrive. It’s easy to get a train there too, so no need to slog along the fipili dual carriageway. Now I just need to persuade my man to join me. Foto La Nazione. Have a look for yourselves, the exhibition is open until 10th June. Perhaps we’ll see you there. visit the 
Meanwhile, yesterday saw Florence full of fun runners and their supporters, all there for good causes. Yes, it was the annual Half Marathon. What I love about Italians is that they always remember to include families and particularly children. So, not only did you have the competitive race, but also a non-competitive race of 8km, a walking race over 5km and a kids race called ‘The Tommasino Run’ over 1.5km. The events were spread around the beautiful city and included Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Duomo. Foto La Nazione.
What else? Oh yes, we cannot ignore that beautiful Italian creation the actress Claudia Cardianale who is celebrating her 80th birthday! Can you believe it? Now, some of you younger readers may not have seen her films that included starring roles in the sixties opposite leading men like Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson and Paul Newman. Most of her films are now classics, so look them up! Just like Sophia Loren, Claudia still scrubs up very well indeed. Buon Compleanno to her. Foto La Repubblica 
Meanwhile, back in our local village of Fiano, relaxing over coffee and reading the newspapers, I found an article about Sulla Orma Citta Millenaria, that is ‘On the Millennium City Footprint.’ I know, it doesn’t really make sense, so one should not always try to translate literally. What it actually said was, it is a thousand (mille is a thousand in Italian) years ago when the foundations were laid for San Miniato al Monte and other churches in Florence and the surrounding province. A thousand years! Think about it, that’s the year 1,018 AD or the 9th century. These incredibly beautiful buildings were built all that time ago with no electronic or mechanical assistance. Of course Florence is a most stunning atmospheric ancient city, and that’s not just the places of worship. Florence was also the birthplace of Leonardo di Vinci and other illustrious designers and inventors. So, If you have not visited yet, you really should! 
Back here in our lovely bit of Chianti countryside, we had an invasion of bees in my study! A queen had flown in the open window, yes it’s warm enough, and refused to leave. After she eventually left, the worker bees found her scent and thought she was still here. So my man being a gung-ho ex-marine, goes in and tries to encourage them to leave by waving a cobweb brush around. The buzzing got angrier and louder. “Get out of there!” I screamed from outside the door, which opened a crack and he squeezed out. After much discussion, we decided to shut all connecting doors and wait. Over four hours later, all went quiet, they had finally given up and flown out into the dusk! What a relief. I hope they found their Queen. At least my daft hero man did not get stung! Foto Queen Bee – pixhark.com
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