Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely followers around the World,
Il Liberazione Parade Certaldo. foto Archive J Finnigan
Yesterday, Saturday, was a very important day for the Italians, particularly the older generation. The 25 April is the celebration of the Liberation from the Nazis occupation at the end of World War Two. Normally, there are grand processions, medals and certificates given to the elderly, many of whom can remember that time with absolute clarity. A few years back I interviewed Gianfranco in Montespertoli and learnt first hand about the terrifying experiences of the partisans hiding out in caves and behind fireplaces. Much has been written about the French Resistance, but there are many Italian unsung heroes of that time that deserve more credit for helping to end the occupation. See my novel ‘The Italian Connection’ below, which includes some of Gianfranco’s experiences.
Meanwhile, back in the here and now, we have made the sad decision to cancel the Rock Chick Band concert in June. Whilst things may have improved by then and the restrictions lifted, we do not want to bring together friends and family and to put them at risk. It is particularly sad as it would have been our 10th anniversary as a band and I have enjoyed performing with the guys so much. But lets look to June 2021 and make sure it is a really good party!
And, on a much lighter note you will be glad to know that our lower terrace is ready to welcome you all, the minute it is safe to do so. Yesterday, my man and I enjoyed a bottle of Chardonnay there before lunch and it was glorious in the warm breeze with the perfumes wafting across from the Acacia, roses and cut grass. Whist we have been unable to go out and buy plants, the garden is still looking lovely thanks to nature’s own contribution
However, we have had one naughty creature coming into the garden and tearing out a whole circle of Irises, eating some and trailing the rest across the lawn. We found its entrance path through long grasses and it is clearly low slung and wide, so that whittles it down to a badger or porcupine! But, hey ho, the wildlife will take over soon anyway, I can feel them closing in, can’t you?
Male and female Bee Eaters Photo National Geographic
But, oh glory, the first Bee Eaters have arrived. That wonderful fast twortle ( a cross between twitter and chortle) that fills the airwaves. The birdlife here continues to amaze and delight.
Well, the weather here on the edge of Chianti has been glorious. This morning’s early stroll around the garden turned out to be nice enough to stop and sit under the European Oak tree, where one of our English Garden Benches now sits. The Acacia trees are now dripping with perfumed blossoms and the view is fantastic; we will never tire of this glorious vista. There is no longer any traffic smog down in Certaldo’s valley and the view to San Gimignano is as clear as crystal. We are so looking forward to meeting our family there for a nice lunch soon.
Meanwhile, I must once again get my head around cooking a Sunday lunch. If I prepare it early enough, I can pop it in the oven later before going down to the terrace for an aperitif or two. But what to cook? Mmmm, perhaps I’ll keep writing to you instead!
Breaking News – hurrah, it is Monday morning and we have news of the lifting of part of the lockdown! From Monday 4th May we can travel to see our family within the region, we have already organised a lunch! Parks will reopen and bars and restaurants can provide take aways. On 18 May more shops, museums and libraries will reopen. On 1st June, hairdressers and salons will reopen, thank god, and restaurants will return to normal opening! Oh heaven! Distancing measures will still be in place, but what a relief it will be.
OK, phew, now must get the fotos inserted for you to enjoy and get this blog posted.
Have a great week and do not worry, everything will be alright!
Salute June xx
Visit my author site at June’s site
It’s been a busy week here in our little bit of Tuscany on the edge of Chianti. It has also rained a lot, which dictated much of planning for the week. I decided not to buy more plants this weekend as it is still too damp, but just for you I have taken some pictures in our Tuscan garden. The smell of the Acaccia Blossoms and our now climbing English Rose, shortly after the rain, is intoxicating. Just standing under the dripping trees and breathing in the air is so invigorating.
Most of the time things are very quiet here, the sound of ancient squeaky tractors spraying the vineyards can be heard, but this is almost drowned out by the birdsong. We have a small number of Magpies roosting in our trees and one fat male has taken to admiring himself in the glass of our windows and doors. That’s Ok until he starts loudly banging the glass to get his reflection to respond to his posturing!
Meanwhile, back in our local village of Fiano, I was somewhat taken aback to be asked by a man I have only seen occasionally to go up to his apartment to see his ceramics! Well, you girls have no doubt heard the saying ‘would you like to come up and see my etchings? Well, let me explain. I was paying Fabio at La Dispensa for my coffee, when I noticed a new ceramic dish for the change on his counter. I said how much I liked it and as if by magic the maker of said dish, was at my elbow. Fabio introduced me to Leonardo, yes I know, whose surname is Lazzeri. With a manic wave of his arms and a big smile on his face, he invited me up to his apartment! So there I was, standing in his big parlour (having met his lovely wife) and agape at all the beautiful ceramic creations, both big and small.
Leonardo is now retired, but still does the odd piece now and then. His work is sold in San Gimignano which, if you do not already know, is the city of towers and is massively popular with tourists. Leonardo’s work is unique, in that he concentrates on an Antico (old fashioned) style with the characters having distinctive pointed noses. He has also published books containing his works over many years. Unfortunately, Leonardo is also old fashioned and does not have a web site to show you, but if you are in Fiano or San Gimignano, I know he would love to meet you! He gave me this lovely spoon holder as a parting gift, such a nice man!
Now, in addition to Easter we had Liberation Day to celebrate on 25th April. Much is written about the French Resistance during the 2nd World War, however, the heroics of the men and women of the Partisans, the Italian resistance, is an incredible story. I have met and interviewed some of these amazing people and learnt how whole villages were wiped out by many of the retreating soldiers. Memorials can be found in many villages and seeing some of these really can bring a lump into one’s throat.
On a lighter note, this morning my man and I had coffee with friends at La Dispensa. Our friend Ute was telling us about the amazing number of weddings she is overseeing at Villa il Pozzo a 3* hotel close to us. She already has ten wedding bookings this year and was meeting with two further clients this weekend in preparation for next years nuptials! I have to say, Il Pozzo is a very beautiful place, castellated and with stunning views. Take a look. 
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 
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