This is a very difficult time of the year for me, but a truly exciting one too. Difficult, because my head is full of song lyrics as I am practising daily for my up a coming concert and this has the effect of drowning out all the other things in my brain that I need to focus on too! Exciting because it’s the time of year to get back together with The Rock Chick Band and to make fabulous music! My man has to keep my feet on the ground and to remind me not to forget simple things. I keep a hard copy diary. It’s big and red and sits on my desk and cannot get lost like a cell phone or accidentally deleted like an electronic one, things I am prone to do! The repertoire is now finalised and our first rehearsal is on Sunday. Email me at june.finnigan.virgin.net for an invite to the concert on 21 June here in Tuscany.
Meanwhile, a visiting fox has discovered the fruits of our mulberry tree, but Phil the pheasant isn’t happy with that. He has been noisily complaining and shooing the poor thing away. I am also worried about the fox turning on Phil in a stand off.
Phil is quite formidable and frightening when he’s angry, but he would also make a good dinner for a hungry fox and it’s family and, he has a family of his own to protect in our garden!
On the subject of wildlife we had the rare sight of the shy porcupine run across the track in front of us the other day. Unlike the UK, we do not get a lot of road kill, but nevertheless it can happen. So we were glad to see it in time. It’s surprising really, what with the fast and crazy driving in Tuscany, that we don’t see more poor dead creatures. We often see deer and cinghale (wild boar) cross the road, sometimes whole herds, which is fabulous to see.
Anyway, what next? Ah, yes. We have just celebrated something very special in our local village of Fiano. The local school children worked with potter Terry Davies and The Caba Association Culturale, to create ceramic tiles to line the front of the steps of the amphitheatre in the Gardens of Fiano. I am so impressed with this cultural innovation and the children are so proud. The steps were unveiled after a grand brass band performance. Screen shot taken from Terry Davies facebook page. Terry was one of the first people we got to know, all those years ago, when we arrived in this little bit of Chianti. He makes wonderful unique pots and ceramics, exhibiting all over the world. You can visit his workshop and showroom in the countryside between Certaldo and Bacio, but why not visit his website for lots more info first. website
Now back to the subject of Made in Italy and the first things to spring to mind, well mine anyway, is fashion and handbags. In the local papers I spotted two beautiful images that I loved. The colour red always gives me a lift and it goes with anything, so here is a beautiful shoulder bag from Felisi to drool over. website
And what do you think of this frock? I think the simple cut and the gorgeous harbour scene print is so eye-catching and irresistible. Pop it on I say, head for the coast, then simply take a stroll. You’ll be turning heads for sure! You’ll need to click ‘find a store near you’ if you want to buy from this collection. Website
Well enough of that, I’m still searching for an Italian hunk of the month, so if you have a nominations let me know!
Have a great week and do drop me a line. Your summer reading can be found on my website at my site
Salute June
(Wildlife fotos from Poke Community, Living in Italy and Tierdoku.com)
Firstly, just to remind you that my Short Thriller story can still be downloaded absolutely free of charge from any Amazon site around the world, or directly from my site at 
In the countryside, the Vendemmia (grape harvest) is underway; the white grapes are already in and the red harvest is just starting. And, droves of tourists are arriving to enjoy watching and being part of the harvest. Many are taking organised vineyard treks that take wine lovers through miles of picturesque vineyards, stopping off for the odd tasting here and there. A very productive and satisfying time of year.
Oh yes, I really must tell you about the discovery of a Leather Atelier in Barbarino Val D’Elsa near Tavernelle. I was out and about with my visiting sister-in-law yesterday and went to the town, because I had seen an Artisan market advertised. The town is a tiny hilltop place, beautiful and old, but little to offer in the way of restaurants or caffè bars. But then we discovered the shop Colleregio (Firenze) owned by Francesco Bojola! Well, you know what I am like with handbags, so you can imagine how I felt when we walked through the door. Everything was handmade and beautiful, no rubbish there, oh no, and the prices reflect this of course. To me a handbag bought from a place like this is an investment. It also occurred to me that this was the ideal place to bring my man who has his Italian shoes and suits hand-made, and he really needed a smart shoulder bag to carry his Apple Mac and stuff whilst in London. So we took the man in this morning and he was impressed. The lovely owner, Francesco, will have just what is needed brought over from his other shop on Thursday, so watch this space! Foto from their brochure. Website 
And so to the beautiful month of September in Tuscany. As if by magic, with the arrival of the new month, the weather changed from hot and humid to sunny and fresh with the odd shower, overnight. Although not really autumn yet, I do love this season for the weather, the return to normality and the fashions. It is also the time for new wine and the run up to the Olive Harvest, which will be in full swing come October. Wonderful. Foto – our September garden – J Finnigan.
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