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Back to School, Borgo Antico, The Vendemmia, Beppo Grillo and Olive Flies in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 11, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

On the way to Certaldo for coffee, my man and I started talking about the fragile planet, I said that I hoped it would survive for at least a few more generations.  Then he said, “It’s just as likely that the world will end as we know it, after being invaded by aliens from outer space.” He said, matter of factly.  “In fact, I think they’re already here and living in Chelsea!”  My man knows a lot of things, so I asked how he knew this.  “Well, you know, all those Hooray Henrys!”  I smiled, he could be right, who am I to argue.

A school bag loaded with back problems. La Republica

A school bag loaded with back problems.
La Republica

Anyway, here we are into the second week of September and its back to school for all the children after a very long summer break and I want to tell you about something that has always concerned me.  Now we Brits  had great spacious school desks full of  books, pens, pencils geometry sets and so on.  Here in Italy the children carry the whole lot around on their backs, weighing as much as 11kg in some cases!  Yes, you heard me right.  In addition, the parents have to fork out over 200 euros at the start of each year to buy all the new books, including the heavy study ones, for the kids to carry around.  Now I am not complaining, but stating a fact and at last this dreadful arrangement is getting some attention from the press, well at least here in Tuscany.  Is it like this in other European countries?  I’d be interested to know.

Ristorante Borgo Antico, the Terrazza. Foto J Finnigan

Ristorante Borgo Antico, the Terrazza.
Foto J Finnigan

On a brighter note, I promised to let you have some pictures of restaurant Borgo Antico in Tavernelle.  Last Sunday we had lunch outside in their lovely terrazza in glorious weather. This of course is how Sundays in Tuscany should be spent, or with a big Italian family in the open air, the Mamas and Nonnas having done the cooking of course, not me.  Anyway, back at Borgo Antico,  Katia presented us with their signature Crostini, vegetarian version.  This is basically toasted bread with delicious mixed toppings with an emphasis on Mozzarella.

Vegetarian Crostini, my gluten free version! Foto J Finnigan

Vegetarian Crostini, my gluten free version!
Foto J Finnigan

Then at our next table a lovely young Italian couple arrived and introduced themselves and their black lab.  He, Stefano Dini, has an Antique Restoration warehouse in Tavernelle, so if you like Italian Antique Furniture go to http://www.portaemporum.com  Then our pasta course arrived and we had a veggie version of the Chef’s ragu sauce.  It was seriously delicious!  I can’t remember if we had a desert later, but I do remember being stuffed after the pasta.  So here is the website again and if you go tell Katia I recommended you, she’ll spoil you to death.  http://www.borgoanticorestaurant.com

The Vendemmia. This article says that 2,680 litres of Chianti was produced in Tuscany in 2015. This year the production will be higher! La Nazione.

The Vendemmia. This article says that 2,680 litres of Chianti wine was produced in Tuscany in 2015. This year the production will be higher! La Nazione.

OK, what next?  Oh yes, as you probably know, the Vendemmia (grape harvest) is in full swing.  Thank heavens for our new home as we no longer have tractors and trailers thundering past our kitchen window.  It is a very noisy time of year and tourists coming to stay in the Agritorismo centres are in for a shock if they think they are going to enjoy a quite relaxing holiday in the Chianti Hills.  But many come to actually participate in the harvest or at least to watch the crushing of the grapes and no, they are not crushed under foot anymore, it’s all mechanical but interesting nonetheless.

Beppe Grillo and Alessandro di Battista. La Republica

Beppe Grillo and Alessandro di Battista. La Republica

Back in the world of politics, one character who I haven’t talked about before is Beppe Grillo.  No, he’s not a Bistecca (steak) chef, he is the leader of the largest opposition party, Cinque Stella.  Looking like a scruffy aging rock singer, he has a huge following and could well be our next leader.  He’s been strutting his stuff on stage with support staff like Alessandro di Battista (Deputato della XVII Legislatura della Republica Italiana con Cinque Stella)  Did you get that? If not do read it again or don’t worry about it.  To be honest I’ve only brought this to your attention because Alessandro is a bit of a hunk!

Before I forget, if he had still been alive Freddie Mercury would have been seventy a couple of days ago.  What is the relevance of this you may ask?  None at all, I answer, I just thought you might like to remember him too.

So, oh yes, it will soon be olive picking time and I hear tell that the dreaded Olive flies are back.  If the harvest is ruined, the prices of Extra Virgin Olive Oil will soar again, but let’s be positive, I’m sure our locals will get it sorted.

Phew, well that’s enough for today, I’m going to twist my man’s arm and say that I don’t feel like cooking today and can we go back to Borgo Antico…  But O Dio, they are fully booked, so we are off to C’era una Volta instead.

Have a really great week and do drop me a line.  I love to hear from you.

Salute June x

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

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

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September, The Grape Harvest, Seasonal Fruit, Fungi, Borgo Antico and Fashion in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

The Grape Harvest begins. La Nazione

The Grape Harvest begins.
La Nazione

Hurrah!  September is here with its cooler weather and a little rain!  After a seriously hot humid August, it was a relief when we hit the 1st September.  And, on this day the first mechanical grape picker started trundling through the vineyards below our house, collecting all those plump purple grapes that will provide us with our next supply of Chianti wines.  Also on this day, the shooters were allowed to start banging away at first light, celebrating the start of the hunting season.  I make no comment on this except that we would be happy for local wildlife to take up arms and fire back.  Oops, sorry, that was supposed to be no comment.

2016-09-03 14.31.57

Our lovely big kitchen table and fruit. Foto J Finnigan

Anyway, What else to celebrate?  Ah well, the seasonal fruit; we are gorging on lovely fresh fruit salads for breakfast every morning.  Peaches, plums, apples and some imported things like bananas and kiwi.  So I thought you might like a picture of my big kitchen table with its baskets of fruit.

Porcini Mushrooms. La Nazione

Porcini Mushrooms. La Nazione

The other things I adore at this time of year is the fungi harvest.  In particular the big porcini mushrooms that are delicious grilled whole as an anti-pasti.  Yummy!

And, still on the subject of food, last Sunday we went to ‘Ristorante Borgo Antico’ in Tavernelle and I promised to report back to you.  Firstly, the place was all closed down so we enquired at a nearby geletaria.  Apparently, they had moved to the edge of town four years ago!  How little we know….  Well, my friends, I have to tell you that we were delighted with the new place, a beautiful outside terrace, the same big welcome from Katia, as we always used to get at the old place, and food and wine to die for!  So needless to say we are booked to go back today, Sunday!  I’ll post some pictures next week.  Meanwhile, go to http://www.borgoanticorestaurant.com

Autumn fashions from Simona Barbieri. La Republica.

Autumn fashions from Simona Barbieri.
La Republica.

Now most of you will already know that I love clothes and the Italian Autumn fashions are fabulous.  In particular, the oranges and browns that really suit my colouring.  Whilst I hate to give up wearing flip-flops, stylish ones of course, I do adore window shopping for handbags and shoes.  My poor man cannot understand why I keep buying handbags, “You can only use one at a time and you keep most of them in a cupboard for months.” But that’s not the point, is it girlies?

Anyway, that’s enough for now.  Do send me your own September stories either by replying to this blog or by email to june.finnigan@virgin.net.  I love to hear from you.

Salute June x

PS I’m still on target with my latest book, rattling away at least one thousand words a day!  I’ve just got to a very scary bit!

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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Village People, Olympic Successes, Celebrity Weddings and Prosecco in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 14, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

The Village People in Lucca surround the concert presenter. La Nazione

The Village People in Lucca surround the concert presenter. La Nazione

Now if you regularly visit my blog you will know that I like to follow the music scene here in Tuscany, and in particular the aging rockers that are visiting or touring in our lovely region.  Yes, the Italians seem to love the oldies and the latest visitors are that great band ‘Village People’.  Now you must remember them, you know, the American guys who dressed up like red indians and construction workers hammering out songs like ‘In the Navy’ and ‘Go West’ back in the 80’s.  They have been performing in Lucca, that fabulous town with its ancient walls all wrapped around gorgeous curving alleys and great piazzas for concerts.  Love it!

Diana and Chiara with gold and silver medals. La Nazione.

Diana and Chiara with gold and silver medals. La Nazione.

Meanwhile, a number of our athletes have been having great successes at the Olympics in Rio.  Whilst I don’t follow this event in-depth, the newspapers are full of it, which is very useful for me to keep track.  It was gold for the lovely Diana Racosi beating her fellow Italian Chiara Cainero who won silver, in the shooting event.  Many more successes, too numerous to mention have come Italy’s way!  I used to be a runner, don’t laugh, but not at this level.  That was a long time ago, but I still dream about it.  Do you dream at night that you can still do all the things you could do in your teens and twenties?  I do.

Celebrity Wedding. Chi magazine.

Celebrity Wedding. Chi magazine.

Back here in Tuscany, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world to tie the knot, we also attract the beautiful and famous for their weddings.  Waiting for my hair dye to set in the Sandra’s hairdressers, I was reading the popular gossip magazine called Chi, which is a bit like Hello but in Italian, and there were pictures of the very beautiful model Minttu Virtanen who had snared the Ferrari racing driver Kimi Raikkonen.  Stunning people, stunning backdrop, stunning hole in someone’s bank account!  But lovely to see.

Aperitivo con Prosecco. Salute! Foto P Finnigan

Aperitivo con Prosecco. Salute!
Foto P Finnigan

Meanwhile, back in our beautiful hillside garden, the weather has been gorgeous.  The humidity has gone and whilst still warm it has been perfect for enjoying a Prosecco in the early evening.  This is when we reflect on how very lucky we are to live here, and whilst we still work hard, I cannot imagine a better setting to end the day in.  So to you, my lovely readers, Salute!

Have a great week and do drop me a line or visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Amore 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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Miss Sportivo Toscana, Jethro Tull and Renzi pressa May in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 1, 2016| 1 Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Well, thank you Chianti and all those lovely Italians who, without realising it, have really lifted me back into a happy state of mind.

Miss Toscana Sportivo. La Nazione

Miss Toscana Sportivo.
La Nazione

How can one not smile when the local newspaper is full of the arrival tomorrow evening of Miss Sportivo Toscana (Miss Tuscany Sport) in Certaldo.  Yes, she is making an appearance on her celebratory tour and that alone will give the tourists something to photograph in what is otherwise a ghost town.  It is hard to believe, and I know I have said this before over the years, but from August 1st you may as well forget finding more than twenty percent of the area open for the tourists, as the Italians have all rushed off to the coast or the mountains to escape the heat.  We were nevertheless still surprised when I rang our local Osteria for a sunday lunch table and was told that they were closing for two weeks, despite the fact that the area is heaving with tourists!

Jethro Tull arrives in Cortona. La Nazione

Jethro Tull arrives in Cortona. La Nazione

Now you may already know that I like to follow the music scene, my being part of it, and I was amazed to read that Jethro Tull was doing a return tour in Tuscany; I had no idea that the band had already been here!  The flutist, Ian Anderson, who is described as ‘having a lot less hair’ is heading up the band.  They will be at the Arrezzo Music Festival in Cortona (home of the writer of ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’) and you can obtain tickets at http://www.ticketone.it

May and Renzi. La Republica.

May and Renzi.
La Republica.

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, the UK’s new Prime Minister whatshername, oh yes Teresa May, was shaking hands with Italy’s equivalent Matteo Renzi and talking about Brexit.  Interesting that they are both ‘stand ins’ not having been elected by the people to the role.  Many Italians in the know seem to think that it wont be long before we have a Itexit; watch this space.  Oh, I should mention that the Italian journalist was unimpressed with her shoes being flat and greyish, with a pointed toe!  Image is everything here in Italy.

Well, enough of that, August the 1st tomorrow and it is a month of reflection for me and my man, as we will be here in Tuscany for the whole of the month, attempting to chill out and get our still fairly new home sorted.  The storeroom needs shelving and what will be a temporary fitness room in the downstairs guest apartment, will be cleared of unpacked boxes and other debris.  Yes, my man has great intentions of starting a fitness regime, after spending far too much time travelling on planes, trains and sitting at the computer.  Bless him.  I’ll supply the bottles of water as we are in around 35 degrees at the moment.

Finally, I have to say that we are really enjoying the display of Bee Eaters and the regular visits from a pair of Hoopoe birds and despite everything being very dry, we are still surrounded by a lot of greenery.  Yes, life eeez good, life eeez now.

Have a great week.

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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Fiano Awakens, La Mercantia in Certaldo and Hoards of Tourists In Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

'La Dispensa' the new bar and alimentare in Fiano.

‘La Dispensa’ the new bar and alimentare in Fiano.  Foto J Finnigan

The lovely new family owners of 'La Dispensa' foto J Finnigan

The lovely new family owners of ‘La Dispensa’  foto J Finnigan

Hurrah, at last, our local village of Fiano has a new Cafe Bar and Alimentare after more than six months without being able to buy a coffee!  It is now called ‘La Dispensa’ which translates to larder or pantry. The Local butcher and his wife have completely refurbished the old one and yes, they have a meat counter, but you can also buy everything else you might need like fruit, veg, bread, cheese, milk, wines, beers, and frozen stuff.  Oh, yes and there is a bar for that all important coffee or aperitivo manned by their lovely daughter and they told me this morning that papers will be available to read from Tuesday!  They will be open every day, but not Sunday Evenings.  Well, thank god for that, Fiano at last has a heart again.

Colourful pictures of La Mercantia. La Natione.

Colourful pictures of La Mercantia. La Nazione.

Meanwhile, down in Certaldo the Mercantia has been going at full swing and cars were piling into the town on Saturday evening.  To avoid this massive influx of Italians and tourists, we drove in the opposite direction for supper at C’era una Volta, or ‘Paolo’s’ as the locals call it.  Go to http://www.ristorante-ceraunavolta.com  But even there, the new tourist arrivals were piling in even at nine-thirty in the evening, when we were leaving.  Saturday is arrivals day for most hotels, villas and Agriturismi in the area and in reality, we should have stayed home!  But we met some very nice Americans who obviously enjoy the good life, ordering the popular Bistecca (beefsteak) and all the trimmings.  If you guys are reading this, hope you all have a great holiday.

Well, we are three and a half months into our new home and it feels like we have been here forever; it’s so perfect.  But up until last Friday it was so hot and humid, it was difficult to know which doors and windows, if any, to leave open to try to get some breeze.  But thankfully, Friday it rained, not a lot and the humidity broke, so the new tourists will be enjoying themselves in lower temperatures of around 26 degrees centigrade instead of 35.  However, come tomorrow the temperature will start rising again!  But we don’t care about that, life eeez good, life eeez now!

Last Friday night we went back to L’Osteria Casa Chianti, also packed with both tourists and locals, so it’s essential you book a table there.  http://www.osteriadicasachianti.it  There was a fabulous sunset that night and when the owner, Massimiliano, called the diners out of the upstairs restaurant to a balcony, chairs scraped and people fell over themselves in the rush to get photos.  You would think that a UFO had landing or something!  Unbelievable!  OK, I guess we do take these things rather for granted being residents, but nevertheless!  My man of course, thought the whole thing hilarious.  I must have grumbled too loudly as he looked at me questionably and with a frown on his face.  “Am I embarrassing you?”  I asked.  “How could you do that, I’m sat at another table!”  He roared with laughter….  Oh very funny.  (I still love him)

Silvio Berlusconi
Photograph: Daniel Dal Zennaro/EPA

So how is poor old Silvio doing?  Well, he came out of hospital last Tuesday, looking very tired and older, and is now convalescing.  We wish him well.  It also seems that he is now finally selling his ownership if AC Milan football club to Chinese buyers despite his earlier misgivings.  His already inflated bank account will increase by 400M Euros over the next two years.  “I’m selling the club to people who can bring it back to where it belongs”  He said.  Ah, Thats OK then.

Well, time to think about Sunday lunch.

Wishing you all a happy and relaxed week and we’ll speak again soon.

Salute June x

PS Look out for the 60% discount on downloads of ‘My Father, The Assassin’ starting Saturday July 23rd and lasting seven days.  Visit 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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The Man and the Swallow Tail, La Mercantia, Pink Floyd, Matteo Renzie and Virginia Raggi in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Giant Swallow Tail Butterfly with my man at aperitivo time. Foto J Finnigan

Giant Swallow Tail Butterfly with my man at aperitivo time. Foto J Finnigan

Well I’ll be honest with you, the girlies do like my man, and hone in like moths to a flame.  Now I understand this completely, I still oggle him across the table over coffee every morning.  But yesterday he attracted a butterfly, not just any butterfly but a beautiful Giant Swallow Tail.  It had to be a female of course, well she wasn’t interested in me, and she simply would not go away.  So in the man’s relaxed way, he gave in and she settled on his shirt whilst we enjoyed our aperitivo.  Now of course, this is quite remarkable when you think about it, they are normally very shy creatures and flit away at the slightest movement.  So we were very privileged to have such a good close-up and here is a foto for you to marvel at.

La Mercantia starts on Wednesday 13th in Certaldo. La Nazione

La Mercantia starts on Wednesday 13th in Certaldo.
La Nazione

Earlier in the week, I read in the paper that this coming Wednesday 13th is the start of La Mercantia in Certaldo, which goes on for five days.  This is a hugely popular event that spreads between Certaldo town and Certaldo Alto, the old historical town on the hill, and is the 29th annual festival of International Street Theatre.  So, as you can imagine, it’s going to be heaving in Certaldo, particularly in the evenings when most of the street theatre is going on.  If you want to go, you will need to park on the edge of town and walk in!  But do go if you can and enjoy this amazing spectacle!

Pink Floyd in Roma. La Nazione

Pink Floyd in Roma.
La Nazione

I also read the rocking continues and this time in Lucca that very popular town near Pisa.  The open air concert venue is currently hosting Van Morrison and ancient rocker Tom Jones!!  Mmmm, it’s too hot to go to that one!  No, I’m talking about the weather silly.  Last weekend, Rome rocked the night away to the sound of Pink Floyd including the original guitarist David Gilmour.  Forty five years rocking with the same band and his ‘guitar’ doesn’t look a day older…..  Good for them I say!!

Looking defeated. Matteo Renzi and Angelino Alfano. La Nazione.

Looking defeated. Matteo Renzi and Angelino Alfano.
La Nazione.

Meanwhile the country as a whole is grumbling about the state of the current government and the need for a complete change to the way the country is governed.  Parliament failed to reach the maximum support needed for proposed government reforms, so will have to go for a public referendum in October.  The Five Star Movement and the second largest party in Italy, led by radical Beppo Grillo, hope that this will oust Premiere Matteo Renzi.


Five Star candidate, Virginia Raggi, became Mayor of Rome last month. Photo: Alverto Solaro/AFP

On a lighter note, a member of the aforesaid party and the recently elected mayor of Rome, is a breath of fresh air to behold.  Why?  Well she is female, hugely intelligent, a mother and beautiful.  Her name is Virginia Raggi and here is a picture for the guys to drool over.  She nearly didn’t get elected as the other candidates objected to the fact that she was pregnant at the time of the election.  Well done her I say.

Well it’s time to organise sunday lunch.  It’s just too hot and humid to go out again and we’ve now got the air conditioning unit set up in the inglenook, which is sending cooler air around the place.  Farty Barty the cat hardly moves in this heat, just from one bit of floor to the next.  Our daughter and grandchildren have gone to the coast for a few days with all the other gasping inlanders, to try to cool off.  But we are happy here, a nice glass of chilled fizz and all is well.

have a great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June x

Visit 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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The Rock Chick Band Rocked and the Agony of Loving a Wild Tuscan Cat in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 3, 2016| 2 Comments »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Another glorious sunset. foto P Finnigan

Gazing at the sunset.
foto P Finnigan

“I can’t believe that it’s a week ago, did it really happen?”  I’m referring to our fabulous evening on the 25th June when the Rock Chick Band rocked the night away in our beautiful new setting.  “My neck and shoulders still ache.”  My man rubs his poor muscles.  “Well you are the ‘Roady’, it’s what roadies do, carry heavy weights, put up the lighting, you know arrange everything!” I smile.  “Yes, but how come I’m also staff and chief bottle washer!”  He groans.  “But we had brilliant family help with the catering, you didn’t do it all by yourself!”  I remind him.  “Well it doesn’t bloody well feel like it….”   We gaze into the sunset from our lower terrazza and down a glass of chilled white.  “But life eeez good, you can’t deny it.”  I offer.  “Yes, it is, and guess I have a year to prepare for the next concert.”  He sighs, flashes that magic smile and I melt.

Rock Chick Band group hug before the concert. Foto P Finnigan

Rock Chick Band group hug. Foto P Finnigan

The band rocking. Foto P Finnigan

The band rocking. Foto P Finnigan

Our new setting really was great for the band and our guests.  Always a learning curve; we might bring the band closer to the audience next time, but otherwise it was perfect. Our daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law did a fabulous buffet and set it all out under a big brolly. Thank you all those guys who bought more food & drink and presents, which were hugely appreciated.  I was also delighted to meet new friends and to catch up with old ones.  Make sure you all diary date for next year; 24th June 2017!

Georgous Italian Opera singers. La nazione.

Gorgeous Italian Opera singers.
La Nazione.

Oh yes, whilst we have been rocking and rolling, the three gorgeous Italian opera guys have been performing in Florence.  I know that my new friend and blog follower, Odette, will appreciate this foto as she is also an opera singer.  It was great to meet you and your handsome man.

2016-07-03 12.09.28The weather is now baking hot and as it is our first summer in the new house, we are having to juggle opening and closing of windows at certain times of the day to make sure we get a breeze going through.

For news on Farty Barty the wild cat, he was gone for seven days until I stood at the railing on our terrazza and called him through cupped hands.  My voice echoed around the valley and ten minutes later he strolled in looking well fed and wondering what all the fuss was about.  That was last Monday and since then he’s been lying around in cool parts of the house!  I tell you, never fall in love with a wild Tuscan kitten and encourage it to stay around.  You end up desperate to know where and how he is, agonising over whether he’s lying injured somewhere and starving!  But we do love him, so there is nothing we can do about it, just fret!

Anyway, today we are going for lunch at L’Osteria Casa Chianti, which serves the best food in the area.  Good Tuscan fare and just a little bit of sophistication, which we like a lot.  http://www.osteriadicasachianti.it  So forgive me if I pop off for another shower and make myself beautiful.

Have a wonderful week and do keep in touch.

Salute June xx

visit 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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A Contented Cat, La Musica di Rock, Moscato and A Pizza for Silvio in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Yes, I’m back with a wag in my tail and feeling full of the joys of early summer in Tuscany, despite the news from Florence that the road beside the Arno, and close to the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, had collapsed.  Be careful where you park!

Farty Barty curled up at my feet under the Oak Tree. foto J Finnigan

Farty Barty curled up at my feet under the Oak Tree.
foto J Finnigan

Now, many of you have asked about Farty Barty the cat and you will be very pleased to know that he has finally settled into his and our new home.  As for ourselves, we are feeling even more content having got some of our well-travelled pictures on the walls.  The house, trees, garden and surrounding countryside are so very therapeutic and I foresee great novels being written here!

Graham Nash in Lucca, great singer and songwriter. La Nazione

Graham Nash in Lucca, great singer and songwriter.
La Nazione

Back in the world of rock music it is less than a month away from our next Rock Chick Band concert and our first rehearsal will be this coming Saturday.  There is no need to smoke and take drugs to be a rock singer; believe me, I get a high immediately I am behind that microphone!  Meanwhile, the Duran Duran tour hits Florence on 10th June and they will already be sold out.  No, I am not going, I did that twice in the ’80’s with my beautiful daughter.  However, I will be singing one of their songs at my own concert; there are just a few of DD’s that I really like and this one is called Skin Divers.  Lucca, near Pisa, is also a very popular venue for concerts and the aging rocker Graham Nash is currently here in concert.  A great song writer too and I would have loved to have been there, but time is currently of the essence.

Complimentary Moscato and rose at L’osteria Casa Chianti. foto J Finnigan.

Meanwhile, here in our little bit of Chianti, we are pleased to say that we are now returning on a regular basis to a local osteria that was taken over by new owners a few months ago.  Yesterday, Sunday, it was amazingly devoid of customers and we were told that part of the road had been closed to accommodate the annual cycle race.  So we were able to enjoy a strangely quiet lunch.  The food really is excellent here and, if you don’t mind loud theatrical serving at the table, you’ll love it.  It is the L’osteria Casa Chianti where they specialise in Tartufo (truffles) and Fungi Porcini.  We indulged in wood grilled Pecorino Cheese covered in locally sourced truffle shavings, followed by the lightest creamy Panacotta with mixed fruits.  Mmmmm.  With the desert, we were served complimentary glasses of Moscato and I was presented with a little rose bud.  Of course it was the rose that did it for me, so you won’t be surprised when I tell you that I am now hooked on the place!  Go to http://www.osteriadicasachianti.it

Silvio is honoured with a special Pizza in Napoli. La Nazione

Silvio is honoured with a special Pizza in Napoli.
La Nazione

Oh yes, I know you like to hear about our Silvio so here is a little snippet from our national paper.  Down in Napoli, Il Cavaliere, also known as Silvio Berlusconi, was spotted being presented with a Pizza made in his honour.  It was a long pizza with a ‘mare’ flavour, that is ‘flavour of the sea’.   He is hugely popular down south and it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the chair, or so they say!  I’ll keep you posted.

Well, enough of that.  Books to write, wine to drink and voice exercises to endure.  If you are passing, ignore the strange screeching, it’s just me trying to make those high notes!  And don’t forget, you are very welcome to come to my concert party on 25th June here in Tuscany, just send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net

Meanwhile, have a great week, do drop me a line and 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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Saturday Morning Market, I Bersagliere and your Italian Hunk of the Month and Silvio in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Well, it is Saturday morning and my man and I are off early for coffee.  We drive over newly laid strada bianca, white road, which is actually a mixture of various stones, gravel and mud and a local pheasant (no pheasant, not peasant) dashes clumsily across in front of us.  I always find them funny to watch and I say so to my man.  “Ha, you would look funny too if you were running with your arms tied to your sides!” The man of wisdom replies.  So this set the tone for the drive down to Certaldo, but the sun was shining and we were looking forward to getting a lot done in our still new garden later on.

Grilled asparagus with parmesan from recipe book.

Grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese, from recipe book.

As many of you know, Saturday morning is fruit and veg market day in Certaldo, but by the time we got there it had started raining.  So after coffee it was a case of dashing, well I don’t exactly dash, from one canvas awning to another to buy lovely asparagus, cheeses and Sicilian blood-red oranges.  Our plant lady was pleased to see me and I bought some colourful flowering plants for some of the still empty garden pots.  No, I have no idea what they are called, except some were geraniums, the others well, I’ll take some pictures next time and some of you clever plant people will no doubt tell me!

Il Bursagliere arrive in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

I Bersagliere arrive in Certaldo.
Photo J Finnigan

Then Sunday morning turned out much better weather wise.  Arriving in Certaldo, parking was hopeless, so my man dropped me off in Piazza Boccaccio and took the car to some remote place and walked back.  I secured our favourite table at the back of Bar Il Solferino and hogged the newspapers.  Finally, he arrived and flopped into his usual chair with his favourite pastry.  “Il Bersagliere are on the march, they were just leaving the station when I parked!”  He announced in between mouthfuls.  Now we had read about this the day before, so as soon as I heard the sound of brass instruments, I whizzed outside to take pictures.

Hunk of the Month, Band Leader Il Bursagliere. Photo J Finnigan

Hunk of the Month, Band Leader I Bersagliere.
Photo J Finnigan

Gosh, it was very impressive to see men jogging in uniform with black feathers flopping up and down on their hats and playing their instruments at the same time! These guys are famous for being a troup of Italian Army cyclists formed in 1915, and the name translates to ‘Marksmen.’ They covered horrendous mountain roads either riding or carrying their bikes during both world wars.  Well, they came to a halt outside the church and town hall.  So I took some pictures and was drawn to the band leader who stood posing in the front inviting people to photograph him.  Only in Italy would you find a military man, well band leader, with hair down to his shoulders wearing designer sunglasses and not to mention a very sexy grin.  Oops, my man may read this so I had better stop there.  Anyway, I’m sure most of you girlies will appreciate his picture and a few of you guys too!

Silvio Berlusconi. Il Nazione Sportivo.

Silvio Berlusconi.
Il Nazione Sportivo.

What else?  Ah yes, Silvio has been busy over the last couple of weeks.  Saying that he will not sell his shares in A C Milan football club to anyone who isn’t Italian, so that threw out the interest from the Far East.  He is also being likened to Donald Trump, or is that the other way round?  The New York Times has recently quoted ‘Both he and Mr. Trump were non-politicians who capitalized on their ability to attract extensive press coverage of their outsize personalities and business success (Mr. Trump through his celebrity, Mr. Berlusconi through his media empire).’  If I may say, the journalist has overlooked Silvio’s celebrity status, his media empire comes second to his own popularity in Italy.

Well, enough of that, I must get this blog off to you as it is already running late.  Do drop me a line and send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net if you are in Tuscany on 25th June and would like an invite to my Rock Concert.

Have a great week.

Salute June x

PS do visit my author page 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 »

May Day, A Birthday Weekend and Hot Air Balloon Flight in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Forgive the lateness of this blog, which I blame entirely on the holiday weekend and the arrival of the Sister-in-law to celebrate her birthday.  They say that pictures paint a thousand words, so to give you a taste of all our activities, I am filling this blog with fotos.

May Day celebrations in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

May Day celebrations in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

But before I launch you on a foto cruise, I will mention that Farty Barty the cat is now well and truly settled into his new home and whilst we still have pictures to hang on walls and books to unload onto shelves, we are pretty much settled in too.  And some good news is finally filtering down from our local village of Fiano in that both the Bar/Alimentare and the main bar in the piazza are re-opening soon.  This then means that we will be able to ring the changes for morning coffee, which is great.

The Family gathered on the terrazza, taken from our lofty kitchen window. Foto J Finnigan

The Family gathered on the terrazza, taken from our lofty kitchen window. Foto J Finnigan

OK, back to the weekend fun and frivolities.  We have eaten out at three different restaurants since Friday and are off to a local family one called Montalbino (no not a relative of the great detective, his name is Montalbano) for lunch today.  Now this little family osteria is hidden away in the countryside near Fiano and specialises in Fungi.  The food is really good home-cooked family fare.

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The sister-in-law and niece get ready to fly!  foto J Finnigan

The sister-in law and neice disapear into the blue yonder. frto J Finnigan

The sister-in law and niece disappear into the blue yonder.
foto J Finnigan

Otherwise, we had a family lunch party on Sunday, friends for supper last night, the sister-in-law has been horse riding with her daughter and up in a hot air balloon early this morning as today is her birthday.

Next weekend will be a little calmer and I will be able to catch up on all the local stuff that I know you guys like to hear about.  Meanwhile, have a smile at the fotos and our glorious bit of Chianti.

Have a great week.

Salute June

PS Do 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 »

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