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Abandoned towns and villages, Grandchildren and a visiting Badger in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my lovely followers

Grapes ready for harvesting photo P Finnigan

Grapes ready for harvesting
photo P Finnigan

Here in Italy we are celebrating Ferragosta.  This is the day, originally set as a holiday by Emperor Agusto in Ancient Rome, that ninety percent of Italians take a holiday leaving the tourists to traipse around wondering why the shops are all shut in the middle of August!  It is also a celebration of the grape harvest and these beautiful fruits are what keep the Italians and other residents like ourselves, in fine fettle for the rest of the year with a glass of Chianti in hand.  But I have to say, despite ten years in beautiful Tuscany, we will never adjust to the fact that few Italian shopkeepers, restauranteurs and caffè bar owners stay open on this day or for the following two weeks.  Other European countries tend to cash in on the visiting tourists, not the Italians, unless it is the centre of Florence or San Gimingiano, the latter’s towers shining in the sunlight in our distant view from the villa.  So, we have also wound down a little, it just makes sense at this time of year and nobody seems to be answering their phones in the UK where the bulk of our clients are.  Yesterday, my man was a little depressed having not achieved what he wanted to achieve over the phone.   However, today his spirits were lifted when the lovely young lady at Bar Solferino in Certaldo, rang her mother at the local pasticceria for more sweet pastries, as they had sold out and she wanted my man to enjoy one. Bless her…

The last two weeks saw the arrival of our beautiful grandchildren.  They came separately, the grandson first for three nights, he is nearly fourteen and getting really tall.  He is off to Blundells School in England in September to follow his chosen sporting career, professional rugby.  Looking at the size of his feet, he will fit in perfectly.  We are very proud of course.   Then the following week, our nine an a half-year old granddaughter arrived for three nights, as equally gorgeous as her brother and demonstrated just how intelligent she is by doing all sorts of mathematical equations!  She also takes after her granny (me) as she loves science fiction and fantasy.  We were visited one evening by a big Brock Badger who was after the fallen figs in our orchard.  Fantastic….

Tuscan Badger Foraging

Tuscan Badger Foraging

Last Wednesday we returned her to our daughter and met at an amazing house, which our daughter wanted us to see, down a long dirt track through woodland then opening into an incredible view to the west coast.  The previous tenants had let the steep garden and land run down, and the American owner is desperate for our daughter to find a tenant.  The inside of the farmhouse has been renovated, whilst the outside is very rustic.  I have to say, if I was fitter, I would love to take it on.

A week ago, our lovely vegan Bavarian friends came for drinks.  We all lead very busy lives and it was the first get together since the spring.  The previous day, my man and I went to Terra Viva, a great vegetarian shop in Poggibonsi.  My not being the greatest cook, unlike the majority of you, I was delighted to find really tasty shrink wrapped fast food, made out of tofu and soya.  My favourite was curry and pineapple burgers!  Needless to say, our vegan friends were very impressed, however, I did confess to having bought everything, otherwise they would have wanted the recipe!

La Goloso Pasticceria & Bar in Tavernelle Photo J Finnigan

La Goloso Pasticceria & Bar in Tavernelle
Photo J Finnigan

Our favourite aperitivo. Martini Rosso & Prosecco Photo J Finnigan

Our favourite aperitivo. Martini Rosso & Prosecco
Photo J Finnigan

On 10th August, Laura closed her bar/alimentare for a ten-day vacanza.  We can hardly blame her, she normally opens at six thirty in the morning and works through until after lunch.  But this is a dilemma for us because we do not like the other bar in Fiano.  So its uphill to Tavernelle where my man likes to visit La Galosa Pasticceria & Bar as they bake their own delicious pastries.  I have now managed to get them to make me the perfect caffè latte by adding more coffee. (Piu caffè)  Whilst your Espresso caffè normale varies little in the bars, the caffè lattes do.  I like mine without froth, hot and strong.  Otherwise, we drop down to Certaldo and visit Caffe Solferino, where we went this morning.  Another bar is Bar Italia, we love the people there, but it is a bit of a squeeze in the tiny seating area.

Our local village of Fiano will today be enjoying a festive evening in the gardens of the Castello, however, it does look like rain so we may give this a miss and take a cocktail on our upper terrace and watch the lights come on across the valley.  Life is hard…..

Well, I am sure the wealthy, not guilty Silvio is also enjoying a few vinos next to his swimming pool with his twenty something girlie and little dog DooDoo.  So I will not disturb him today and send you a full update next weekend.

Have a great one.

Amore June x

PS  I am working hard on the second book in my trilogy called ‘The Bolivian Connection’ which should be published in plenty of time for Christmas.  So, if you have not already done so, don’t forget to read ‘My Father, The Assassin’ first!  visit http://www.amazon.co.uk or com or eu.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Kitchen Disaster, Choosing the Right Car and Men in Flannelet Shorts in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 4, 2014| 4 Comments »

Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers

Never, ever decide to take a day off and do something that you just should avoid!  Last Saturday I decided to have a really relaxing day without work or writing.  What did I do?  I decided to cook……nothing difficult, all things I have done before with my eyes closed, then disaster struck!  The first thing to go wrong was tipping the steamed cauliflower into a baking dish which was far too small, the florets bounced over the work surface and two landed on the floor!  “Dammit” I cursed and stepped back onto the third one that had cunningly escaped my attention!  I skidded across the floor towards the Tardis (my big new fridge) and grabbed the handle.  The door slowly swung open with me hanging on for dear life and praying that the thing would hold my weight!  Meanwhile, by feet are scrabbling around trying to get a foot hold.  Somehow, I remained upright and the Tardis held firm.  Then I had to clean up the mess and hit my head on the hot oven door, which I had previously opened, and the potatoes on the baking tray inside, rolled slowly forward onto the inside of the horizontal door!  By now I am F…ing and blinding and I was sure my man would come down from his study any minute!  Meanwhile the plums from the garden that my man had lovingly collected, because he was looking forward to a nice creamy desert, got forgotten whilst I recovered on the kitchen chair with a large glass of Pinot Grigio.  A little later I told my man all about it and he shrugged, “Your taking a day off to relax and then cook, was a contradiction in terms, you should have known better….”  So no sympathy there then.

Paolo at C'era una Volta restuarant with fresh Zucchini flowers

Paolo at C’era una Volta restaurant with fresh Zucchini flowers

Our first Passion Fruit

Our first Passion Fruit photo P Finnigan

So, may I ask you a huge favour.  Please, please invite me to yours for some lovingly prepared home cooking, I can’t remember what it tastes like.  On the other hand you may not want to cater for someone who does not eat meat, fish, eggs or gluten…..I know its difficult.  The other thing is, I do like loud rock music and after a couple of glasses of vino will probably start head banging.  I also do bad impressions of Devonshire farmers and recite the same limerick wherever I go.   If you think you can cater for all these factors, you are my gift from heaven, however, I do understand if you would rather give it a miss.  I’ll just keep frequenting our wonderful local restaurants, like C’era Una Volta.  Oooh, nearly forgot, we have three passion fruits in the garden and the grapes have turned a gorgeous shade of purple!  So at least we can pick and eat fruit from the garden…..

Regarding the latter, we went to Montalbino for lunch today, with our lovely daughter and the family, as she has recently enjoyed her birthday.  There is only one little restaurant in Montalbino, which is a tiny hamlet between Montespertoli and Certaldo, here in Tuscany of course.  You may want to check it out as they specialise in Fungi, particularly truffles(tartufo) and porcini.  Our thirteen year old grandson has come home with us for a couple of nights, which is great, and I can hear him and granddad guffawing in the sitting room as they watch a hilarious ‘Black Books’ DVD.

Meanwhile, my man and I take our regular trip into Fiano for coffee in the mornings, and after really bad rain for days on end, the track is pretty bad and we thank ourselves for the foresight in choosing a high four-wheel drive car.  “What a good thing I didn’t buy that low Maserati or Lamborghini,” my man commented in a dead-pan voice.  At Laura’s bar/alimentare on a Saturday morning the Italian men like to get into track suits, or worse, flannelette T-shirt and matching shorts.  Floppy flannelette shorts are seriously unflattering, but then we have to remember that we live amongst country folk; this is not Milan.

Flannelette shorts photo J Finnigan

Flannelette shorts
photo J Finnigan

Well, enough of that.  What has our handsome hero Silvio Berlusconi been up to?  O dio, the latest sensation is that SB probably paid ‘Ruby the Heartstealer’  between five and seven million euros during the Bunga Bunga period.  He still maintains that he only paid her fifty-seven thousand euros to ensure that she did not fall into a world of prostitution.  That poor girl, life can be full of disappointments, she probably expected a lot more…..

Well, I must go and join the men downstairs.  As of tomorrow it is head down as I have a deadline of 31 August for finishing my latest novel, ‘The Bolivian Connection’.  I have left my heroine Joanna Wilde, at a soiree and at least 80% of the guests are cold-blooded assassins!  Time to rescue her….

Have a good week.

Salute June x

PS Have you read ‘My Father, The Assassin’?  If yes I would really appreciate it if you were to pop back to Amazon and leave a review.  Grazie Mille. x

 

 

 

 

 

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An Intruder in my Bed, A Waiter’s Naughty sense of Humour and a Viscious Black Cat in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Italian Wall Lizard Photo Gary Nafis

Italian Wall Lizard
Photo Gary Nafis

Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers

It’s been a strange week when the weather has been wetter than the UK and more humid than the rainforests.  I also spent Wednesday night with an intruder in my bed….. I had seen him lurking about, popping up from behind plants and disappearing again before I could chase him down. I had twice secured the house and even shut all the windows, despite the need for the cool night-time air and locked my bedroom door. But when I stripped the bed in the morning, thinking how nice it would be to have it freshly made for my man’s return from London, there he was his golden eyes blinking at me from my man’s pillow. “Bastard”, I yelled as he leapt off the bed and sped underneath it. He made a dash for the door and scooted through to the landing and disappeared. “You can’t hide from me forever,” I growled, “You’ll come out again when you are hungry!” I sighed and returned to collect the bedclothes and took them down to the washing machine. I went back to the bottom of the stairs and there he was staring down at me. “You stupid lizard,” I groaned, “I could have turned over and crushed you in the night and you’re only a baby, worse still, you could have ended up in the washing machine…!”

Meanwhile, the previously sunken liner Costa Concordia finally left its graveyard yesterday, and was slowly taken off towards Genova to be scrapped. This was a huge relief for everyone. The local papers were full of pictures and naturally everyone in Laura’s Bar/Alimentare were discussing it.
This morning, Friday, my man and I are relaxing over our coffee and he is looking rather tired after his few days in London. “Are you OK?” I ask sympathetically. “Yes, just staring into the ether…” he sighed.

Gianluccas brings our antipasti. Photo J Finnigan

Gianluca brings our antipasti.
Photo J Finnigan

Paolo's home made Crema di Limoncello Photo P Finnigan

Paolo’s home-made Crema di Limoncello
Photo P Finnigan

Last night we popped into ‘C’era una Volta’ at Lucardo for supper and Gianluca the waiter was in good form. He can be a little naughty and took to teasing a group of American tourists who had little sense of humour. He arrived at their table with their order, a huge freshly grilled Fiorentino Steak, opened the window next to them and pretended to show someone on the terrace below, the plate disappeared into unseen hands and Gianluca turned to the Ams and said, “Oh, its been stolen, these foreigners, they come to Italy and steal our women, our jobs and now our Fiorentina Steaks!” The Ams believed him, then suddenly the steak reappeared back through the window and the Ams just did not see the joke…!  I told Gianluca that I would mention his naughty trick in my blog, ‘Which name will you use?” he asked. “Well your real name” I frowned. “That’s OK then,” he grinned swishing his teatowel over his shoulder, “You won’t have any problem with the police if you use that name….!” The mind boggles.  We then relax over a delicious glass of Crema di Limoncello, as one does….

Farty Barty looking wary. Photo J Finnigan

Farty Barty looking wary.
Photo J Finnigan

Back at the villa, Farty Barty has been having a hard time with a vicious black male cat who is trying to take over the territory. Poor Barty is terrified of the nasty creature and three times we have had to throw things from our bedroom window to see it off.  For the first time in ages, Barty asked to stay inside overnight in his kitchen chair. We may have to re-think the castration thing so that the poor boy is no longer a threat to other male cats.  At the very idea, my man’s hands instantly cover his own important bits and he pales….

Well, I will check out Silvio’s status next time as no doubt he is probably still hung over after his court case celebration.

Have a great weekend.

Amore June x

PS Check out my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

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Throwing off the Sheets, a Painful Tendon, choosing a Male Lead and Walking the Wild Pig in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my Lovely Followers,

Yes, its pretty warm at night now and we are at last throwing off the sheets and sleeping with the windows wide open.  Mosquito nets are essential, of course, that also help to keep out the giant hornets and lizards.  These are both fascinating creatures, but not when one is trying to sleep!

Simon Baker, aged 44, Ausralian Actor.

Simon Baker, aged 44, Australian Actor.

My poor man is struggling with a painful tendon in his heel.  Last week he popped into Guys Hospital in London to check it out and there wasn’t a lot they could do for him.  So some rest, some exercise and an ice pack.  Over coffee this morning at Laura’s Bar/Alimentare in Fiano, he was reading the La Nazione newspaper and commented “It says here that the Tartufo (truffles) from San Miniato (the original ancient capital of Tuscany) is said to be an aphrodisiac.”  Oh good, I thought to myself, if he’s thinking about sex, the pain in his foot my not be as bad as I thought.  Meanwhile, I am musing about who might play the male lead Dominic, in the film version of my book ‘My Father, The Assassin.”  It may prove difficult to get Daniel Craig (sighs) however, I do quite like the idea of Simon Baker, assuming he could beef his muscles up a bit.  What do you think?  My man interrupts my thoughts again, “See that huge fat guy who’s just gone out for a cigarette, he’ll have a problem with his weight if he gave up the smoking…ha, ha….”  I put on a serious face and looked away.  At the next table we are amused by Sig Rotund holding court with three local ladies, “He’s the Mayor of where he lives,” my man chortled.  Then in strut our too lovely lady carers from Georgia, arm in arm, in their brightly clashing market clothes and happy smiles on their faces.  Here in Tuscany, we have a lot of live in carers for the elderly, and often from the former Eastern Block.

“Are you going to mention in your blog, that I had lunch with the Countess of Wessex in London last week?”  He changes the subject.  ‘Well, of course,” I say, “along with thirty odd other ex-servicemen who were carefully selected from the Union Jack Club membership?”  “Err, well yes, I guess so,”  he smiles sweetly and I just love it when he does.  Yes, my man did enjoy a lunch with Sophie, who turned out to be very nice and sat at my man’s table for the main course, then moved on to have her dessert at another one.

Pashion Flower Photo P Finnigan

Passion Flower
Photo P Finnigan

Earlier in the week, I was driving through the tranquil Chianti countryside, which, as many of you will know is a crop farming area; mostly grapes and olives.  We regularly see dog walkers, but for the first time I came across a man walking a young cinghiale (wild pig), not on a lead, just happily trotting along inside a fenced vineyard with his man!  Things having now calmed down after the concert, I am also noticing the birds and wildlife again.  I suppose I never stop doing this, however, the last few days I have been acutely aware of the increase in the colourful bee-eaters, swifts and swallows.  In the garden we are enjoying a second round of wisteria blossom and new passion flowers – lovely.   On the lower terrace we have a little grapevine which is producing a lot more grapes this year, we are not sure why, perhaps it’s the incredible amount of rain we have had over the last month of so.

Grapes on the Lower Terrace Photo P Finnigan

Grapes on the Lower Terrace
Photo P Finnigan

It is now Monday morning and this blog should have gone off to you yesterday.  A raging storm is pounding the villa and the electricity keeps coming and going.  I made a list yesterday of things to do at my desk.  I may have to switch the computer off shortly, if the storm doesn’t get any better.  So, that means skipping a lot of that list until later.  But we don’t care about that.  Life eez good, life eez now and as my man likes to say, it’s the best option.

Did you hear that something has at last gone right for the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi?  He has won his court appeal against his conviction for under age sex that would have put him in prison for years!  One has to remember that the young lady in question was seventeen at the time, which is under age here in Italy.  So, no doubt SB and friends will be celebrating with more bunga bunga parties, however, girlies make sure you can prove your age before you go through the door, he won’t take this sort of thing lying down again……

Well, enough of that and its time to get back to my work list.

Have a great week and see you at the weekend.

Molto Amore

June x

PS Visit my author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan and do drop me a line….

 

 

 

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Father’s Day, Rugby in the Piazza and a Convoy of Porches in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 16, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my New and Loyal Followers

Yesterday was Father’s Day and we set off for the local town of Tavernelle to meet our beautiful daughter and grandchildren for coffee and aperitivi.  They all looked wonderful, glowing with sunshine and olive oil skins.  It is my birthday on 23rd June and my daughter has booked my man and I in for lunch at the five-star restaurant in the Borga di San Pietro near Siena next weekend.  http://www.borgosanpietro.com  She is the Hotel’s PR and publicity agent and apparently we will be rubbing shoulders with even better known celebrities than ourselves!  This was a lovely surprise, thank you darling girl x.  Later over lunch my man, who is a well-travelled ex-military guy, and I raised a glass and he said “To family, whoever and wherever they are around the World!”  Don’t ask………

Aeron Smith New Zealand Photo Martin Hunter/Getty Images

Aeron Smith New Zealand
Photo Martin Hunter/Getty Images

My man was very excited to find that Caffe Solferino in the main piazza of Certaldo, has sky television and so we are able to watch England vs New Zealand rugby test matches on Saturday mornings.  However, with the onset of the football world cup, they have moved the TV wiring outside into the smoking area so the calcio mad Italians can watch it on a big screen at midnight!  Despite this, we can still watch the rugby even though it is a little too light outside to get the best picture in the mornings.

The countryside is incredibly noisy at present.  Tractors are constantly passing the villa, loads of tourists are cruising past to see the view and on Saturday we had a convoy of open top vintage porches, the passengers of which may not have appreciated the dusty track conditions that surround us in dry weather.  We are also near a blind bend, and rather than slow down the Italians take it wide and fast, tooting loudly just in case!  But we don’t care about that, life iz good, life iz now……  We have had some much-needed, if thundery, rain over the last few days which will dampen it down a bit, however, the forecast for my concert weekend on 28th June, is looking very good indeed – hurrah!

Grilled asparagus with parmesan from recipe book.

Grilled asparagus with parmesan from on-line recipe.

In Certaldo last Saturday, I picked up some lovely fresh slim asparagus which I shall roast or grill in olive oil.  Now, I know many of you are very good cooks, but I am not.  I only discovered a recipe recently which included grilling these lovely things, I was amazed and its so easy!  Easy is the operative word.  I am so busy working and writing that I never seem to find any time to do creative cooking.  I adore good food, but must admit, I prefer to let someone else do the cooking.  However, whilst my man is fantastic at everything else, he does not cook…..  So, I have to do it if randomly!  Many of you will know that buying locally grown fruit and veg in Tuscany is a wonderful thing.  Also, local cheeses, yummy.  So at least I can stock up on salads and easy cook veg.

I will update you on Silvio Berlusconi in two weeks time, as the next two weekends will be full of guests arriving and the Rock Concert Party.  So do forgive me if I only send you a brief note during this time.  I will be sending out concert invite reminders this weekend, so if you are in Tuscany on 28th and do not have an invite, drop me a line at june.finnigan@virgin.net – I need groupies!

Have a great week and its back to the office for me.

Salute June x

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Frenchmen Bearing Gifts, a Japanese Pizza Maker and Hot Sun in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2014| 2 Comments »

Ciao to all my Loyal and New Followers

A Gift from The Frenchmen Phot J Finnigan

A Gift from The Frenchmen
Photo J Finnigan

I can’t think why it happens, but every time my man goes to London, my doorbell rings and there are two men standing outside the gate wanting to talk to me.  I am very security conscious, that is why I hang out of the first floor bathroom window to check who’s calling.  Now, these two were not up to the standards of the Armani Men that visited a few weeks ago.  T-shirts and shorts with a desperate look on their faces.  Mmmm, I thought, who are these suspicious looking characters.  Then the slightly taller one spoke in French.  I am a terrible sucker for the French accent (look up Laurent Dupont in my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’) and immediately my guard dropped.  But wait, careful girl, I told myself, ask if they speak English.  So I did, and one did but badly, however, hearing that Frenchman trying to speak English set my knees wobbling.  “We are staying next door in the condominium and we have overslept.  Now we will not get to Pisa airport on time!  There is no phone signal and we need to ring Ryanair.  Can we use your phone?”  So, I open the front door and decide to deal with the Frenchies through my locked security gate.  “Er, we have these boarding passes but there is no phone number, could you ring the airport?”  So, as one does, I go up to my desk  and look up the number for both Pisa airport and Ryanair, then go back down with my Samsung phone so they can make a call.  Aarrrgh, heavy raindrops start hitting us, so I reach inside the front door for the golf brolly and cover the three of us each side of the gate.  “Sacra blue” the taller one hands me the phone and a message is asking whether we want Italian or English, I plump for English.  Then a recorded message is asking all sorts of daft questions, so I realise if I am to help the Frenchies I must make a tactical decision.  Either I take them up to my computer which I have recently moved into the bedroom for the lovely view,  or I try to transfer their flights myself and it is all in French, or I ask if they have a computer with them.  If the latter I would need to give them my password for my internet connection!  They rush next door and come back in the pouring rain with a hand-held computer and I decide that giving them my password is the lesser of three evils.  The shorter one immediately gets a link and they jump for joy!  They say that they have wives and children next door who will be so happy.  I say yes, I have a printer so they can email me their new boarding passes.  So off they go, and I am left with a prong of the brolly wedged into the side of the gate in pouring rain.  Dammit, I curse, bloody Frenchies!  So I leap the gap from the brolly to the door and press the release for the security gate and the brolly is free, but my feet are soaking wet…..  Fifteen minutes later I am handing them the printed boarding passes, so all was well.  The following morning I open the front door and there hanging from the gate is a bag containing a bottle of wine, and a very good one too!  They do say you should never trust a Frenchman bearing gifts, however…………….

June's fitness regime.

June’s fitness regime.

As most of you will already know, it is the run up to my next Garden Party Rock Concert and I’m really delighted to know that I will be meeting some of you for the first time that evening.  Last week I got together with Stefano my lead guitarist and Paola my backing singer, to sort out the keys for the five new songs in the repertoire.  My man will be attaching a new stage light to one of our trees, so the lighting should be far better this time, and we are turning the frame of the winter pollytunnel into a rug-covered bedouin type tent full of cushions and teddy bears for the small children to have fun in.  Our concert parties are very Italian and all ages are welcome.  If you are in Tuscany on the 28th June and would like an invite email me at june.finnigan@virgin.net.  Meanwhile, I am having to get myself fit in both body and voice.  As regards the former, I thought you might like a copy of my fitness regime.

Meanwhile, back at Laura’s cafe bar/alimentare, my man and I are enjoying our morning coffee.  “It says here, that a 102 year old has recently been operated on by a seventy-five year old surgeon!”  My man shows me the picture in the Il Terrano newspaper.  “Gosh, did the old boy survive it?” I ask.  “Yes, they both did….” he replies.   I laugh; my man does come out with some corkers sometimes.  I say that I am really looking forward to his sister coming to stay and that we get on so well, “That’s because you share the same nemesis” he grins and returns to his paper.  Then a great gust of wind hits us from the open door as a big muscley blond guy walks in wearing a sleeveless T-shirt.  “Gosh, did you see that” my man whispers, “His knuckles weren’t exactly scraping the floor, but nigh on….”  I clench my lips and try to look normal.  Then our local Pizza Restuarant owner walks in with a Japanese student who is here to study the art of making the perfect Italian pizza.  He did not have a word of Italian or English, however, we understood that he is going to be opening a pizzeria in Japan.  The mind boggles….!

berlusconi

Silvio being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman Photo Washington Post

So what of our Adonis Silvio Berlusconi.  The world press seem to be losing interest, but not the Italians.  Consensus has it that if SB was legally allowed to be in government, he would have been re-elected by now.  Did you see the interview he had with Jeremy Paxman?  It seems that JP is retiring and he wanted to go out with a really good interview, so he chose Silvio!

JB – Do you have a particular problem with Angela Merkel and is it true you called her an un………lard-ass?

SB – No, I have never had any problems with Angela Merkel.  In twenty years of politics I have never insulted anyone!

Then later in the interview on Beppe Grillo….SB said “His behaviour reminds me of some of the most bloody and dangerous characters in history.  He has things in common with Robespierre, Stalin and Pol Pot!”

So, I get it, Silvio never insults anyone, he just states what he believes to be the truth.  Interesting……..

Well, enough of that and its time to organise aperitivi in our very hot and sunny upper terrace with my man.

Thanks again for reading and do drop me a line.  Also don’t forget to visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Amore June x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Singing Practice, Ten Minutes to Live and a Redstart in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2014| 2 Comments »

Benvenuto to all my New and Loyal Followers

Over coffee in Fiano this morning my man let out a groan.  “Well, that just about sums up the Eurovision Song Contest!”  He thrusts La Nazione newspaper at me and there on the front page is the winner, a stunning drag queen in glittery dress, long dark wig and a full black beard…….mmmmm.  This is the sort of thing that makes front page news in Italy!

june at microphone

The Rock Chick Band Archive Photo

Yes, it’s that time of year again; the run up to my next Rock Concert.  This means lots of singing practice to get my croaking voice back into shape.  As a courtesy to my neighbours, I shut the windows and outer doors as the voice exercises I need to do, could have them ringing the police or ambulance if they were to hear me!  Meanwhile, my man goes out into the garden with Farty Barty the cat, or he shuts himself in his studio with his radio up full blast.  Now, I do not want you to think that my voice is not up to the challenge again.  Each year, it gets a little deeper which is apparently normal for aging Rock singers (e.g. Blondie), so I have to check with my lead guitarist that we are still using the correct keys.  We have added five new songs to the repertoire this year:  Paint it Black – Rolling Stones, Broken Crown – Mumford and Sons, If I needed Someone – Eric Clapton/George Harrison, Parisienne Walkways – Gary Moore/Phil Lynott and Woodstock – Mathews Southern Comfort.  My choice of songs are simply ones I love, I can manage to sing them and there are great instrumentals for an acoustic band and in particular, Stefano’s fabulous guitar playing.  If you would like a personal invite for the concert on 28th June in Tuscany, email june.finnigan@virgin.net

Earlier this week, my man and I went off to a posh clinic in Empoli, so that he could check out that all his vital organs were working OK.  I sat in a very nice waiting area, playing scrabble on my Kindle – as one does, and got chatting to a family who had taken a picture of a burning bus on the FPLI (the fast dual carriageway between Florence and Pisa).  Italians can be a bit on the gruesome side; just visit some of the religious art exhibitions or Greve in Chianti’s piazza for a nasty statue of a bleeding torso, to see what I’m talking about.  My man returned with an envelope containing pictures of his insides for taking to our local doctore, the rock music loving Flavio.  “Did you understand everything the specialist said?”  “I think so,” he smirked, “I may have a little stone on the kidney, which is nothing to worry about, or she gave me ten minutes to live…”  “Bastard” I hissed.

Back at Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano, there is a big stock of charcoal for the outside grills in all the local gardens.  This is also the time of year for the weekenders to arrive and to start firing up their barbies.  Our immediate weekend neighbours come up from Certaldo and cram themselves under a tiny car port to play ping-pong.  If I ever mention the Ping-Pong family, you will know who I mean.  Also new in the village, is a clever electronic hawk screeching machine which is designed to stop the birds nesting in the roof of the latest modern apartment building.  Amazingly, despite its volume, the locals continue their conversations as if it’s not happening! Oh yes, and our Moroccan street seller has brand new stock.  Everything appears to be in the original wrappers and not a clothes peg mark on anything!

Male Redstart Photo National Geographic

Male Redstart
Photo National Geographic

Yesterday, Sunday, we met with lovely friends for a cocktail in the piazza at Montespertoli.  She is a glamorous eighty-nine and looks twenty years younger and her toyboy husband (a world-renowned photographer) at only eighty-three, still looks as if he could return to the game of Calcio Storica (historical rugby) in Florence, without a problem.  She was telling me that as an English women in her twenties, she arrived in Milan to dance with a ballet troupe and never looked back.  A fascinating and relaxing get together indeed.  We returned to our garden to be greeted by our new resident Redstart which has been acting very friendly and curious, just like a Robin.

Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio looks enthusiastic as he arrives for his first day of Social Work. Photo Oliver Morin/AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the undaunted Silvio Berlusconi has started his four hours a week community service at a home for Alzheimer’s patients near Milan.  He has apparently spent ten days learning about the disease and may even help with one to one feeding of patients.  This will be a challenge, according to the head of a hospice, as the patients often have to be reminded that they are eating.  SB said, “I think in the end I will stay longer than I have to – I have a big surprise ready!”  Mmmm, does he mean that he may forget to leave?  He may be trying to forget that his political party Forza Italia is only third in the running for the European elections; poor Silvio.

Well, I must forge on.  I have a column to write and a working week in the business to attend to.

Have a great week and do get in touch.

Amore June x

PS Son’t forget to visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan or to read the first four chapters of ‘My Father, The Assassin’ go to http://www.firstchapters.net

 

 

 

 

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Acacia Blossoms, Marigold Gloves and Mafia Man in Beautiful Tuscany.

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers

Male and female Bee Eaters Photo National Geographic

Male and female European Bee Eaters
Photo National Geographic

“My nose must be the fittest part of me, because it keeps on running!”  My man is trying to keep his sense of humour as he grabs another tissue.  The beautiful Acacia trees are dripping with blossom at the moment,  but  this does not help those with a tendency to pollen allergies or those with bunged up noses like my man.  There must be thousands of these trees growing wild in our area, and what with the heavily blossomed lilac and horse-chestnut trees, its like walking or driving through heavily scented temples.  However, pollen problems are forgotten as we watch a flock of gorgeous  Bee Eaters winging their way across the valley towards us.

Milko outside his Cartolibireria showing my books for sale! Photo J Finnigan

Milko outside his Cartolibreria showing my books for sale!
Photo J Finnigan

The other day, my man opened a new packet of Marigold gloves, to do the washing up.  Yes, we have a dish-washer, but it conked out after I put the wrong salt in.  The gloves were pink, which he does not mind as his view on life is that real men can wear any colour.  What he was not happy about was that the packet had two right hand gloves.  “Jesus Christ” he cursed, “We’ll have to go back to Milko’s and change them.”  My hands are not so sensitive; I never wear rubber gloves, so I offered to do the washing up.  Now you may remember that Milko runs the cartolibreria in our local village of Fiano and he has a lot more than just books and postcards.  Outside the door are rows of washing liquids, floor cleaners, mops, brushes and rucksacks.  “When we returned the gloves the next day, my man asked him if he had any boxes of left hand gloves, which really confused the poor sensitive man.  But then he laughed when he was shown the two right gloves and put an order in for some more.  It is rare to get what you want locally on the same day.  This particularly applies to the farmacia (chemist) where they only order one item of everything, everyday.  But you can be certain that the following day your order will be there.

My man went to visit his mother in Somerset last Thursday, so did not fly back until Sunday morning.  However, it was perfect weather and timing to enjoy an aperitivo in the Piazza and then on to lunch at C’era Una Volta in Lucardo.  This ristorante is very good for families as the kids love the fritters and pastas.  Our grandchildren can attest to that.  However, we have been invited to go to a newly opened vegetarian restaurant near San Casciano called Villa del Roseta tomorrow night, which will be interesting as we are always on the look out for new places to go.  I’ll let you know.

Last Sunday week, we see Montespertoli’s local octogenarian ‘Mafia Man’ leaning on his walking stick, his beige overcoat hiding probable armoury and staring down at the minions that were either bowing to him or picking up coins that he may have thrown casually to the ground.  He pulls his wide brimmed black hat down over his dark sunglassed eyes, and looks thoroughly bored.  Gone are his younger days when the women would rush to his side, just to be seen with him, now its just the local peasants that hang onto his coat tails.  He would make a brilliant extra in an Italian film.  The sun is hiding behind threatening clouds and we decide to head off to lunch.

Silvio in disguise Photo Reuters

Silvio prepares to go undercover
Photo Reuters

Meanwhile, the dashing Silvio Berlusconi, who has never met a mafia man in his life, forges on.  He has been scrubbing his fingernails as he is about to start his community work at an old people’s nursing home.  This was his choice of venue, after being sentenced for fraud.  Right now, all the female inmates and some of the men, will be having their blue rinses touched up and face packs slapped on.  We wish them well, and its a chance for Silvio to see how the rest of his generation lives……

Well, must forge on with ‘The Bolivian Connection’ and then back to the office tomorrow.

I  hope you all had a great bank holiday weekend.

Amore June xx

PS  Don’t forget to check out my Amazon author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

 

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Easter Day, Stylish Outfits and the Invasion Starts in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Welcome to all my Loyal and New Followers

Fiorentino in strange crouching position. Photo Official Website

Fiorentina in strange crouching position.
Photo Official Website

Easter morning in our local village of Fiano and like every other self-respecting Italian, Laura has closed her bar/alimentari for the Festa.  So we repair to the other bar, Caffe La Piazzetta, in the piazza where it is sunny enough to sit outside and watch the world go by.  The village was very quiet, even subdued, then the man reminded me that the Fiorentina (Florence) football team lost their match the day before.  The football results always affects the mood in the village.

The tourist invasion starts at Easter and the advance guard were five Russian men at a nearby table.  I studied these characters and noted that the leader was a bit of a loudmouth.  The others consisted of a humorist, a silent old boy, an idoliser and a bored one.  The latter went into the bar and came out with some hair of the dog to try to liven things up.  I gazed around the piazza, which is really a car park.  The big horse-chestnut trees were sprouting their first blossoms and what with the wintered in brollies now being up, it was all very relaxing.  Then I saw my man stiffen as four aliens arrived in bright skin-tight dayglow outfits and oval hard hats, floating on bicycles.  Their strangely clad feet made tapping noises as they walked into the bar, to check which planet they had landed on.  They did not stay long, and left sucking on tubes stuck into plastic bottles.  My man shook his head, “Ha, look at that, only pansies have mudguards on the back of their bikes….”

Buratta con Verdura Grilliata

Buratta con verdure Grilliate

Later, over lunch at ‘C’era Una Volta’ in Lucardo, the ristorante is full.  Paolo had saved us our favourite corner spot so that we could people watch again.  “Gosh, look over there, the last time I saw an outfit like that it was worn by  a member of The Who Band in the early 70’s,” my man hooted.  He was right; a beautiful purple trouser suit with flared trousers, black shiny cuban heeled ankle boots and a matching scarf thrown around the neck.  Make-up had been carefully applied and the hair was big and sprayed carefully into place.  The eighty plus year old Nonna was stunning.   “To your left June…” my man was nudging me, “Those two are the Italian version of Absolutely Fabulous!”  I tried not to laugh out loud, as he was spot on again.  Patsy and friend (please remind me of the friend’s name) were posturing two tables down to my left.  Hair and faces were almost identical to the TV stars and the clothes were so seventies.  I was starting to really enjoy myself.  I dug into my wonderful dish of Buratta con verdure Grilliate and sighed with contentment.

Earlier, over cocktails in Montespertoli, we had spotted a thirty something male with a pony tail in silver lame suit and black silk scarf, several smart jacketed ladies in tight jeans, leopard skin stilettos and matching handbags.  And the Crew-Cut Family, all ladies and three generations walking in twos, arms linked with matching black crew-cuts.  The parade from church is always fascinating.

Easter Monday, the family invaded and our granddaughter stayed on for two nights.  The grandson was recovering from a bout of asthma, so went home with Mum and Dad.  He is fine now.  My Man went to London on the Tuesday so my beautiful nine-year old granddaughter and I, had some quality girls time and far too much chocolate!

Silvio gaffes again photo Huffington Post

Silvio gaffes again
photo Huffington Post

Oh dio, Silvio has gaffed again.  SB has provoked outrage, in suggesting that Germany did not acknowledge the existence of World War Two concentration camps!  Some say it was a swipe at his old foe Martin  Schulz, the German president of the European Parliament and the centre-left candidate to lead the EU Commission.  The two previously came head to head in 2003.  SB said that his own centre-right party would pick up around 20 percent support in the up and coming elections in May.  SB claimed that his original comments in 2003 were not meant to be insulting, suggesting that MS might like a part in a film, thinking of ‘Hogan’s Heros’ and the part of the stupid guard, Sergeant Schultz!  He had thought MS would have been flattered…….!  Oh Dio…….

So, its back to the drawing board for SB and the novel for me.  I would love to hear from you, so do drop me a line.  If you would like an invite to my Tuscan Rock Concert on 28 June email june.finnigan@virgin.net

Salute June x

ps visit my Amazon author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

 

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Armani Men, Easter Preparations and a Crotchity Moment in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2014| 3 Comments »

Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers

My apologies for the lateness of this post, but I have been battling with a really lousy internet connection….

Giorgio Armani Man

Giorgio Armani Man

My man left for London on the Monday morning and the doorbell rang in the afternoon.  I hung out the bathroom window, which is above the main gate, and thought ‘Wow, one gorgeous man leaves, then two arrive  and, my god, one of them is clutching my novel!  Both men are Italian, tall, wearing Armani suits and hand-made shoes.  “Buona Sera Signora, We have come to invite you to a meeting in Certaldo on Monday.”  I am flushed with delight.  “A book signing?” I gush.  “Err, well, a book reading actually, are you interested?”  Well this all sounds too good to be true, so to check that I am hearing correctly, I ask if they speak English.  The tallest one smiles, flashing his perfect teeth.  He takes the book from under his arm and holds it up.  Hang on a minute, that is not my book, it’s a wedge of orange leaflets.  “Please to come to a memorial for Jesus Christ.”  “Jesus Christ!” I echo.  “Yes, Signora, we will be reading err, book of Mormon…”  He opens a leaflet and shows a picture of Jesus looking very American and I swallow my disappointment.  “Oh, how nice, pop it in the post box beside you,”  I say gracefully.

Would my week get better I wondered?  Hurrah, brightly wrapped Easter eggs adorn the shelves at Laura’s Bar/Alimentari in Fiano, and there are two lotteries to buy tickets for.  I would not want any of the prizes that range from a huge box containing a tea & coffee set with fruity lemon designs, to a water filter, Easter Cake and Eggs.  Alessandro our rotund friend and local sports paper reader, has displayed some ‘attractive’ glass vases and a roulette set on a separate table, as he is representing the lottery for the local football club.  So, naturally, I buy tickets for both.   As you can imagine, there is a huge following for the Easter Celebrations in Italy and Pope Francis has already been performing in Roma.  He is so hands on with the people, that I expect to see him ascend towards heaven and then do a belly flop into the crowd like a rock singer!

A flock of common Italian men, one with olive branch. Photo J Finnigan

A clutch of  Italian men, one with olive branch.
Photo J Finnigan

In Montespertoli on Sunday, the congregation poured out of church carrying olive branches, which is traditional here.  Those wanting to be a little less obvious, had them sticking out of their pockets and handbags;  some of the women did too.

Wisteria over the car port. Photo P Finnigan

Wisteria over the car port.
Photo P Finnigan

New flowery arrivals this week have included masses of wild red poppies in the hedgerows.  In the garden Wisteria, Jasmin and Night Scented Stocks fill the warm air with heady perfume.  One could almost get drunk, breathing it in!

My man returned on the Friday and the next day we are enjoying coffee in Fiano, reading Il Terreno, which is a better newspaper than Il Nazione.  However, I do quite like the reporting on visiting Bands and theatre in the back of the latter.

A crotchity moment for Silvio Photo Il Terreno

A crotchety moment for Silvio
Photo Il Terreno

Suddenly, I am roaring with laughter!  Only in an Italian newspaper will you see a photo of  Silvio Berlusconi clutching his…..well, vital bits!  I show the picture to Laura and Benedetta who laugh and say, that all Italian men do that when they are feeling insecure.  At the age of seventy-six, SB obviously still has something worth clutching, so that’s in his favour….

Meanwhile, I forge on with the ‘Bolivian Connection’ and three more chapters are under my belt.  Farty Barty is very happy with life and the grandchildren will be here for an overnight stay on Easter Monday.  So a double dose of chocolaty Easter celebrations for them.

Ok, must finish here, as the day job is calling.

have a great week and don’t forget to check out my author page at https://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute June xx

 

 

 

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