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Posts Tagged ‘My Father The Assassin’

A Beautiful New Home, A Confused Cat, No Kitchen and Bliss in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 17, 2016| 2 Comments »

Benvenuto to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers,

The big ancient Oak Tree garding our gate. foto J.Finnigan

The big ancient Oak Tree guarding our gate.
foto J.Finnigan

Wild life fresco on the sitting room wall. foto P Finnigan

Wild life fresco on the sitting room wall.
foto P Finnigan

Our lovely new home is called ‘Querceto’ and this is hardly surprising because it means Oak Tree.  Not only is the gate guarded by a massive oak tree, but the house itself is full of old oak beams.  Our landlord is also a bit of an artist and as soon as you walk into the sitting room you find the most beautiful fresco of the local wildlife including a Cinghiale (wild boar), deer and pheasant.  Turn around and there is a massive inglenook fireplace with Oak leaves and the house name painted over it.

The house name and oak leaves above the Inglenook. foto J Finnigan

The house name and oak leaves above the Inglenook.
foto J Finnigan

The house itself is very quirky and is divided into two apartments, so we have lots of room for friends and family to come and stay.  We took both the apartments because we want to have the place entirely to ourselves, including the gorgeous wooded garden.  I know, very indulgent indeed, but we love it.  It is built on the side of a hill and opens up inside like the Tardis!

The house from the lower terrace. foto J Finnigan

The house from the lower terrace.
foto J Finnigan

The place is also perfect for our annual rock concert garden parties and if you are in Tuscany on 25th June and would like an invite send and email to june.finnigan@virgin.net.

Now with the move out-of-the-way, we are waiting for Farty Barty the cat to settle in.  After three days he went off for four days and I found him back at the old villa!  It’s only a twenty-minute walk from here and he knows his way around pretty well.  He has been back here for two days and nights, then went out this morning into the countryside.  We wait with bated breath!

The excitement of the week was the arrival of the plumber to put our new gas cooker in.  He was very jolly and set the cooker in position, then announced that he would be back on Tuesday to link it to the gas supply!  So we are forced to go to the restaurant to eat!  There is a limit to how many tasteless microwaved jacket potatoes one can eat!  Tomorrow we are whizzing over to IKEA to get freestanding sideboards as we are not too keen on fitted kitchens.  So hopefully by next weekend we will have a working kitchen.  Mind you, it’s a good excuse for eating out, well you know what I’m like!

The lower terrace and view. foto J Finnigan

The lower terrace and view.
foto J Finnigan

Nevertheless life is blissful, despite all the boxes and dust.  Down on the lower terrace we are able to enjoy our evening aperitivi and watch the sunsets, which we could not see at the old place.  We have heard the first cuckoo and saw a hoopie in the garden today.  We even have a pond with croaking toads and the weather has been glorious.

Well, enough of that.  I’m off back to the little villa to hand over the keys, then we can really get on with our new life at ‘Querceto.’

Have a great week and I’ll bring you up to date with the local news next weekend.

Salute June x

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.

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A Four Man Piano, Giant Easter Eggs, Handbags, Apple Blossom and Green Valleys in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 20, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benventi to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

The four man piano and boxes. foto J Finnigan

The four man piano and boxes.
foto J Finnigan

As I start writing this blog, I am expecting the doorbell to ring at any moment.  Giuseppe, the removals man, is coming to assess the amount of furniture and rubbish the English couple has accumulated over donkey’s years.  He will be relieved to know that we are not moving very far, but he’ll probably balk at the upright ancient iron-framed piano that we have been lugging around since we left England.  Ah, he has just telephoned as he is lost and I cannot understand everything he is saying.  He has either shot past the turning to our village or arrived in a completely different village, which I can’t recognise by the way he’s describing it!  So back to the keyboard and we wait.  In anticipation, the sitting room floor is now covered in cardboard boxes.  Hurrah, Giuseppe is here and he says he needs four men to move the piano!  But that’s OK, better than losing more friends due to slipped discs!

Gorgeous handbags on staircase. Glossy magazine.

Gorgeous handbags on staircase.
Glossy magazine.

Earlier this morning we dropped down to Certaldo and The Jam Caffe, by the station.  This was mainly because there was a big market filling the main piazza where we normally park.  Somehow, I always manage to have other committments when there’s an interesting market and, once again, could not stop to drool over the handbags, much to my man’s relief.

Oh, and last Thursday, when I was at Sandra’s having my hair colour topped up, I saw this picture in the glossy magazine and thought, ‘Wow, our new home will have a short stone staircase inside the front door, I could do something similar with my own handbags.’  I haven’t told my man yet, I’ll just spring it on him!

Catarina's big Eater Egg display in Bar Il Solferino. Foto J Finnigan

Catarina’s big Easter Egg display in Bar Il Solferino.
Foto J Finnigan

Earlier in the week in Bar Il Solferino, I was impressed with Catarina’s big Easter Egg display.  If you look closely, you will see little chickens and ducks peeking out of the straw, oh, and a coffee machine of course!  And, it is starting to feel very much like Spring and Easter time, which is all taken very seriously here in Italy.

Apple bossom and the green valleys below us. Foto J Finnigan

Apple blossom and the green valleys below us.
Foto J Finnigan

The weather too suddenly seems on the turn.  We had lunch in the garden twice this last week!  The heavenly smell of blossom is now filling the air and the valleys are all lovely and green again.  Life eeeez good, Life eeeeez now!

Well, I’m having to end this blog a bit smartish as we have a hectic afternoon!  Don’t forget, I love to hear from you, either through this Blog, my Expat Focus Column or my Author Site.

Salute June x

PS no blog next weekend due to packing, but 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.

 

 

 

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Talking Trivia, Seasonal Dishes, Foggy Mornings, Good News for Fiano, and Silvio vs WikiLeaks in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 13, 2016| 2 Comments »

“Why do we always talk a load of trivia, first thing in the morning, on the way to coffee?”  I am thinking aloud but my man picks up on the question.  He is the logical one in this partnership and has an answer for everything.  “Well, its obvious really.  Before we wash down a nice strong espresso, we need to get our jaws working and the brain functioning, so we can move on to the more serious and intelligent conversations later on!” He glances at me looking perfectly serious, as he is driving and needs to keep an eye out for crazy Italian drivers.  I nod and hide my snigger, as the next maniac comes around the bend towards us on the wrong side of the road, just as my man is trying to avoid a pothole!  We swerve, my man corrects the car and we carry on.  So nothing unusual this morning.  The trivia we talk about can include the state of the roads, Italian drivers, blossom appearing on the cherry trees, Italians walking their dogs or children with the little ones on the traffic side rather than on the inside, the weather and/or why the people who own the horses haven’t moved them out of their wet muddy field to higher ground for a few days!  But enough of that.  We are not really complaining, just being observant!

Hot tasty Ribollita Soup. Foto J Finnigan

Hot tasty Ribollita Soup.
Foto J Finnigan

Wood fire grilled vegetables. Foto J Finnigan

Wood fire grilled vegetables.
Foto J Finnigan

OK, so lets catch up.  The last couple of weeks has seen the return of some delicious winter warmers to the restaurant tables including Ribollita and wood fired grilled vegetables.  Ribollita is a Tuscan soup made with any vegetables, beans and importantly stale bread from the day before.  My man loves it.  For me I just adore the grilled veg, and come spring I’ll be able to order the same, but with that oozy soft cheese Burratta.  Mmmmm.

Fog filled valleys, below us, at dawn. Foto J Finnigan

Fog filled valleys, below us, at dawn.
Foto J Finnigan

Also over the last two weeks, what with the heavy rains, we have woken to see the valleys filled with fog.  The view is spectacular from here, the only downside is having to drive down into it for coffee!  But I have some good news.  The resident butcher in our local village of Fiano, which is higher up and less likely to be foggy, is rescuing the Bar/Alimentare and it will reopen at Easter!  Hurrah for the villagers and for us of course.  We do like to ring the changes and look forward to once again splitting our time between Fiano and Certaldo for morning coffee.  Also Fiano has some lovely people whom we haven’t got to see for a while.

Silvio Berlusconi's facebook picture.

Silvio Berlusconi’s Facebook picture.

So, back in Certaldo we read in L’Espresso, the Italian news magazine, that the American Ambassador has been summoned to Rome to answer reports that NSA has spied on Silvio Berlusconi and his close associates during the 2011 Euro zone crisis.  This has been revealed through certain WikiLeaks documents.  O Dio, we all say!  It seems the US was allegedly concerned with Silvio’s relationship with Vladimir Putin and that he may be profiting personally from energy deals between Italy and Russia.  Now in my view, Silvio has always had plenty of energy of his own, I mean, in 2011 he was seventy-five and also being accused of being full of zest during his Bunga Bunga parties!  But anyway, this puts our man back in the headlines, some say bad news is better than no news in the political arena.

OK, so what next?  Well, we are gearing up to move house and will be signing a new rental contract on 24th March, after which I will be able to tell exactly where we are going!  But I can tell you that it is only a short distance away and will be great for our annual rock concerts!  Watch this space…..

Well must get this blog edited then off to C’era Una Volta for more lovely winter warmer meals.

Have a great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June x

Go to 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 Visit to Roberto Manetti’s Sculptor Studio and a Gorgeous Sunset in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my Lovely Loyal and new Followers

Roberto Manetti Photo P Finnigan

Roberto Manetti
Photo P Finnigan

Now, by Friday morning I had planned out all the fun things I wanted to tell you, then I bumped into Roberto Manetti, our local world-famous sculptor.  We were both in the chemist (farmacia) in Fiano and I asked him if he had a lot of work on.  “Come and see for yourself!” he whispered, only because he speaks that way after an operation.  “Come tomorrow, I’ll meet you in the Piazza and you can follow me to my studios!”  “Well,” said my man, “Thats another morning gone!”  But I was really excited as I had never had the honour of visiting his studios before, and I had heard that he was an amazing artist.  So, Saturday we were in the Piazza at ten sharp and there he was with a big smile on his face.

Roberto's fabulous studio and exhibition centre. Photo P Finnigan

Roberto’s fabulous studio and exhibition centre.
Photo P Finnigan

We followed his big car/truck to a turning down a track only five minutes away from Fiano.  We drove over a stretch of concrete and back on to a dirt track, which was lined with terracotta pots filled with blooming shrubs, and into a small carpark fenced in natural wood.  We climbed out and breathed in the welcome smell of woodland, then down a few steps into the garden of a most amazing Art Decco type property with fabulous views.  I can honestly say it took my breath away.  Roberto had designed and built it himself thirty years ago as a studio and exhibition centre.  You would never know it was there from the road above.  Yes, people came by invitation only and he explained that he would often have groups of people who not only enjoyed the exhibition, but the huge garden too.

The exhibition. Photo P Finnigan

The exhibition.
Photo P Finnigan

Couple, dog and cat at window. Photo P Finnigan

Couple, dog and cat at window.  This is three dimensional.  If you go round the back you will see the bottoms and tails of these lovely characters!
Photo P Finnigan

Firstly, we were shown where he worked and there were two statues in progress.  Then into the exhibition centre and we were overwhelmed by the wonderful original work he had completed over many years, some of which have been in exhibitions all around the world.  My heart swelled when I realised how much he loved dogs and cats, these appeared in many of his creations.   My man was snapping away with his camera as Roberto and I did the rounds and he explained the background to each one.  Do take a closer look at these pictures.  My man and I agreed that we would ask him to do a statue of our last dog Bosun, just as soon as we we had sufficient spare funds!

One of hundreds of flowering pots. Photo P Finnigan

One of hundreds of flowering pots.
Photo P Finnigan

Man reading, with dog under olive tree. Photo P Finnigan

Man reading, with dog under olive tree.
Photo P Finnigan

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he took us on a tour of the garden, through arbours and tunnels, where beautiful shrubs, protected from the wind were in full bloom.  Up to a copse of Famiglia Trees he had planted thirty years ago and were now three stories high, and to visit his two peacocks that had a pen with a natural stream running through it and a bit higher up to see two fresh water ponds, one full of gold-fish and higher still to benches overlooking the Chianti Hills.

Rooftop View of the Chianti hills. Photo P Finnigan

Rooftop View of the Chianti hills.
Photo P Finnigan

Now all this time a cold wind was howling around the place, so we could only imagine how glorious it would be in Spring and Summer.  What a privilege to be allowed to see this place and to be able to tell you all about it.

The ancient hill town of Certaldo Alto, silhoueted against the sunset. Photo J Finnigan

The ancient hill town of Certaldo Alto, silhouetted against the sunset.
Photo J Finnigan

The only other thing I must show you, which was also very beautiful and caused me to screech to a halt on my way down to Certaldo on Tuesday evening, was the first sunset for weeks and Certaldo Alto’s wonderful silhouette against that gorgeous sky.

Yes, I know, what about all those other things I was planning to share?  Well I’m afraid Roberto’s place and Certaldo Alto in the sunset, has taken all my thoughts away.  But, please come back next week and we’ll catch up on everything else that did not get a mention this time, including some good news for Fiano!

Salute June x

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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A New Bar in Certaldo, Giorgio Armani, Roccobarocco, Rugby and A Mafia Museum in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 29, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Here in our little bit of Chianti, in the Tuscan Hills we always start the day with a short drive to a local cafe bar for a delicious Espresso, which cannot be produced at home unless you get an industrial size machine.  Now the ones I have looked at that are supposedly any good, will take up far too much room in the kitchen.  But anyway, lets face it, making morning coffee at home only turns one into a boring house person, when you should be out meeting and greeting the locals.  Now you may remember that Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano was constantly closing, for one reason or another.  We now know that it is closed permanently.  This is very sad for the village as there is nowhere to get a cup of coffee now.

Evi behind the bar at Bar 'Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy' in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

Evi behind the bar at Bar ‘Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy’ in Certaldo.
Foto J Finnigan

These days you will usually find us at Bar Il Solferino in Certaldo, however, it is closed on Mondays so we have started to go to Jam Cafe next to the station, who only close on Wednesdays.  A couple of months ago I did notice a new bar, just two minutes walk from Il Solferino and thought I would try it last Tuesday, but that was their closing day!  I hope you’re keeping up!  So I went back on Wednesday and found them open!  It’s called ‘Bar Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy.’  Curious, one might say.  Well, I popped in and ordered a cafe latte which came in a huge jug of a mug, with two shots of espresso in it as I wanted it strong.  I don’t normally like big mugs and prefer a cup size, however, it was quite nice.  The decor is very pubby, rustic tables and a big sofa at the back of the room.  The local customers were youngish and arty.  So it has its attractions.  I will go back with my man on a Monday when Il Solferino is closed, or was that Wednesday?

Giorgio Armani with his models, in Milano last week. Il Nazione

Giorgio Armani with his models, in Milano last week.  Orgoglio Italiano means Italian Pride.
Il Nazione

Relaxing over the coffee last Friday, yes that’s right in Il Solferino, there was a lot of talk about Milan fashion week, which I have never been to.  But I still drool over some of the Italian designers.  Eighty something, Giorgio Armani was there with his lovely models and I could not help but notice that they all looked traditionally Italian with their beautiful shiny dark hair.  A lot of Italian women do dye their hair blond, but there is something special about that dark Mediterrainian look; don’t you think?

Roccobarocco Dress and matching handbage to die for. La Nazione.

Roccobarocco Dress and matching Handbag to die for.
La Nazione.

I have also shared a picture of this gorgeous dress and matching handbag by Roccobarocco.  Il Nazione newspaper does cover a lot of fashion news, which suits me, although it is really a national paper with news and sport.

On the subject of sport and our being a great rugby family, my man and I watched rugby, including the Six nations, all afternoon and most of the evening on Saturday.  Bad luck to Italy who lost against Scotland and Bravo to England who won against Ireland.  I have not seen the papers today (Sunday) as my man went off on the train before seven am, too early for a read.  And where did we manage to get a coffee at six thirty on a Sunday?  Well it was Jam Cafe next to the station in Certaldo.

A Mafia Museum opens in Palermo. Il Nazione

A Mafia Museum opens in Palermo.
Il Nazione

Now I will finish by mentioning that there is a new Mafia Museum opened in Palermo.  ‘What?’ I hear you say.  Well the Italians will admit to having a liking for the macabre.   You’ve only got to watch a carnival to see all the grotesque blood curdling exhibits and if you fancy a visit to a Museum of Torture, pop up to San Gimignano in the hills above Siena.  Italian parents and children seem unfazed by it all!

Oh, nearly forgot to mention that the DVD of Spectre I ordered from amazon late last year has just arrived!  Hurrah.  I’ve watched it once and will do so again this evening…..and probably tomorrow as well!  Yes, I know.

OK, time to get this blog edited and then organise some lunch.  The weather is too cold and wet to eat outside, so I think I’ll cook baked cheesy leeks and mashed potatoes, a real winter warmer.

Do have a great week and don’t forget to drop me a line or 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.

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

A Golden Bear, Andrea Iannone, Jimi Hendrix, Fashion and a Naked Cyclist in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Gianfranco Rosi wins the Documentary Golden Bear award in Berlin. Il Nazione

Gianfranco Rosi wins the Documentary Golden Bear award in Berlin.
Il Nazione

Well, the Italians are a talented lot, particularly in the film world.  Over morning coffee today, I read that the Berlin Documentary Golden Bear Award has just been won by fifty two-year old Gianfranco Rosi for his brilliant documentary about the refugee crisis, called ‘Fire at Sea’ (Fuocoammare).  We applaud him and his team for the filming of the dreadful plight of thousands of terrified people seeking safety on ours’ and other southern Mediterranean shores.

Maniac Gentleman Andrea Iannone for you girlies. Sports magazine Il Nazione

Maniac Gentleman Andrea Iannone for you girlies.
Sports magazine Il Nazione

On a lighter note, and in the back of the sports magazine, I spotted a picture of Andrea Innanone, which will please the girlies.  Andrea is a Motorcycle Racer and I was very amused to read the description in English under the photo, which read ‘Daring Rider, Maniac Gentleman & Motor Cycle Racer.’  Well, they got the first and third comment right, but the mind boggles at what the Italian was, which translated into ‘Maniac Gentleman’?  We are often very amused at Italian translations into English, particularly in restaurant menus, and I know from experience that the Italians can be hugely entertained by our own attempts at translating English into Italian.  Sometimes, the whole caffè bar can erupt into raucous laughter after I have made a statement for all to hear, only to find that I have actually said something like ” Good Morning, What a lovely day for washing the goat.” Hey ho….

Jimi Hendrix joins us for coffee. Il Nazione

Jimi Hendrix joins us for coffee.
Il Nazione

Yesterday, we were joined for coffee by the late great Jimi Hendrix.  I’ve noticed that since poor David Bowie’s demise, the Italians are promoting a number of the iconic musicians and their music..  They do love aging rockers here, thank god, and tours by even the lesser bands from the 60’s and 70’s are sold out almost immediately!

Lovely Italian Fashion shot in glossy magazine.

Lovely Italian Fashion shot in glossy magazine.

On another subject, you may recall that I go regularly to my local hairdresser, Sandra, and that is the one time I get the chance to read the glossies.  I love this coverage of Italian fashion and wanted to share it with you.  This morning there was an unexpected market in Certaldo, which was oozing with handbags and scarves; two of my fashion indulgences.  But my man was with me and he did not want to hang around, can’t say I blame him, so that saved a few euros!  But I did buy some gluten-free vegan chocolate bars that taste much better than they sound!

Nakist cyclist Mario Cipollini. Il Nazione

Naked cyclist Mario Cipollini.
Il Nazione

Finally, I was amazed to read earlier in the week about a naked cyclist called Mario Cipollini.  His surname translates to small onions; think what you want….  It seems he was the original model for Reuters in ‘2000’ for a public campaign.  Here in Italy, semi-professional cyclists are everywhere, particularly at the weekends, often swarming past our kitchen window talking thirteen to the dozen at the top of their voices, wearing bright dayglow skin-wear.  Then there are the dedicated solo riders that for some reason favour black cycling gear and you only see them at the last second before having to swerve towards an Italian driver who is already on the wrong side of the road!

Pre-lunch drinks on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Pre-lunch drinks on the upper terrace.
Photo J Finnigan

But life eeez good, despite the cold weather.  We actually managed lunch in the garden yesterday!  The wind had dropped and the sun came out for a couple of hours, so we diehards were out there like a shot, wearing fingerless gloves to protect us against the cold of the wine glasses….

Well enough of that, I must get this post edited and fotos added, so that I can send it out to you this evening.  Tomorrow I will be working hard on the Cyber Thriller, which I have been commissioned to write, then Tuesday back to the day job!  So, may wish you all a great week and see you next weekend.

Salute June x

PS do drop me a line, I love to hear your comments!

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 »

Farty Barty Update, Dress Designers, An Art Discovery and Aging Rockers in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 7, 2016| 2 Comments »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and new Followers

Farty Barty on a favourite perch over the orange trees. Foto P Finnigan

Farty Barty on a favourite perch over the orange trees. Foto P Finnigan

“How is Farty Barty?” I hear you say and I realise that he has not had a mention for a while.  You may recall that Barty is a semi-wild cat and he has asked me to remind you that he should not be confused with the domestic varieties that go and have their bits chopped off and lounge around getting fat for the rest of their lives!  In this respect I hear a lot of argument, but if every vet had their way, they would wipe out Tuscan wild cats by neutering and castrating willy-nilly.  Excuse my play on words.   So now at the age of nine, Barty can honestly say he has had and will continue to have, a good life with a free hotel for the occasional meal and recovery in a soft cushioned wicker chair, before going back out there into the Chianti hills and living the life of Riley.  Sometimes he is gone for days, so we are always pleased to see him when he trots in, acting as if he as if he had only been gone a few hours!

A gorgeous designer dress from Florence. Il Nazione.

A gorgeous designer dress from Florence.
Il Nazione.

Back in Certaldo enjoying our morning coffee, I read an advertisement for a beautiful dress designer shop in Florence.  Now, as I have said before, I do believe that the Italians have the edge on fashion design, and this is a reminder.  I will be going to Florence the week after next and will spend a couple of hours drooling over the shop windows.  Yes, we have other labels here from all around the world, but there is no comparison with the handbags, shoes and clothes made in this beautiful country.  unemployment is high, but if you are blessed with the skill of creative design, you will survive here.

Giorgio De Chirico exhibition in Ferrara. Il Nazione.

Giorgio De Chirico exhibition in Ferrara.
Il Nazione.

“Oh, look at this!” My man says as he thrusts his newspaper towards me.  “A private art collection has been discovered and its being exhibited in Ferrara.  It’s that amazing early twentieth century style, symbolism I think, and these were painted by Giorgio De Chirico.”  I look at the pictures, we both like this style and note down the website.  It’s a little too far for us to visit, but it’s great to read about new amazing discoveries like this!

I have just checked out the latest on the gorgeous Silvio and there is nothing of interest to report.  This year he will be eighty so it will probably be his last throw at getting re-elected this time round.  Watch this space…..

The stunnning 'Patty Pravo' age 67 and other aging girlie rockers! Il Nazione

The stunning ‘Patty Pravo’ age 67 and other aging girlie rockers!
Il Nazione

So instead I will mention two other icons that are currently on tour in Italy, Brian May, the former Queen Lead Guitarist and Bruce Springsteen, also known as the boss.  Now it always gives me immense pleasure to see the Aging Rocker tours sold out in Italy.  My also being one, of course, although much more low profile.  I am still waiting to be discovered, but despite that will keep up the annual concerts in our garden, where the locals treat me like I’m world-famous!  There’s nothing like being Famous in Fiano!

OK, so I must revert back to writing the CyberCrime thriller, which I have been commissioned to do and of course the third book in the Joanna Wilde Trilogy, ‘The Italian Connection.’  I also read a lot, which is important for authors, and have just discovered a writer called Charles Todd who has written ‘A Test of Wills’ about Inspector Ian Rutledge.  It is set in the years just after the First World War and I am really enjoying it.

Well, enough of that.  After a week of chilly weather, but with a sun hot enough to allow lunch in the garden, rain and cold winds are here.  So I think we will be forced to go out and eat at ‘C’era una Volta’ today.  I recently read something about de-stressing by going into the kitchen and cooking!  Well that’s not for me, I recommend chilling out in someone else’s kitchen, you can join us if you like!  Visit http://www.ristorante-ceraunavolta.com

Have a great week and do remember that I love to hear from you.  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.

 

Read Full Post »

Rock Music, Nasty Naughty Bits, Tennis Rockers and ‘Magico’ in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and new Followers

Stefano on Lead Guitar Photo Chiara Benelli

Stefano on Lead Guitar
Photo Chiara Benelli

My head is full of rock music!  It happens every January as I start preparing the repertoire for my next Rock concert in June.  Stefano Bartalesi, the Rock Chick Band’s brilliant lead guitarist and organiser, has suggested that my choice of ‘Sultans of Swing,’ that great Dire Straits song, may be a little difficult to reproduce so we will have to try it out and see.  Otherwise, new covers this year will include The Beatles, George Harrison, Robert Plant, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel and Amy Winehouse.  The concert is by private invitation only, so if you would like to join us in our Tuscan garden on 25th June, drop me an email at june.finnigan@virgin.net.  We’d love to see you and despite what a certain ‘person’ has said, I am not trawling for groupies!

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, just cover up the naughty bits! La Nazione

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, just cover up the naughty bits! La Nazione

Now I won’t dwell on the next subject because you will have already seen this on the news all around the world.  However, I just thought you might like to have a local perspective on the subject of Iran and Italy getting into bed together.  Yes, literally, because as far as many Italians and our friends in the bar are concerned, covering up all the so-called ‘nasty naughty bits’ on the country’s beautiful statues was an act of prostitution!  Now Italy has always been described as openly corrupt, but some say this was exactly that in reverse.  Grovel and ye shall be gifted with large sums of Iranian money!

Marco Mangoni - Rock Star and Tennis Player. La nazione sports magazine.

Marco Mengoni – Rock Star and Tennis Player.
La nazione sports magazine.

OK lets move on.  Back in Bar Solferino, I read about my two greatest passions, sport and rock music.  Not forgetting my gorgeous man of course, who was in London at the time doing a bit of business.  Nothing could be more up my street than an article about legendary rock stars, including the yummy Brian Ferry, and the topical subject of Tennis!  Italy also has its own Tennis playing rock star, by the name of Marco Mengoni, so for you girlies here are some pictures to drool over!

Big Puppy 'Magico'. foto J Finnigan

Big Puppy ‘Magico’.
foto J Finnigan

Now do you recall ‘Big Puppy’ who we called ‘Bianco’ on account of his being white?  Well he came into the bar this morning, having grown to half his adult size at the age of six and a half months, dragging his market stall owner behind him.  It turns out that his real name is ‘Magico.’  Don’t you just love that name? He is so gorgeous, although the only thing he is interested in is what everyone else is eating.  So for all you other dog lovers, here is his foto.

Have a really great week, don’t forget to drop me a line and visit http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute Buon Amici

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.

Mimosa Blossom in our garden on 29th January! Foto J Finnigan

Mimosa Blossom in our garden on 29th January!
Foto J Finnigan

 

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Fiano, Certaldo, Elton John, St. Jude Law, Calcio Storica, Queenie and Il Palio in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 24, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Lovely Loyal and new followers,

main via in Certaldo alto oct 2013

The main via in Certaldo Alto. Foto J Finnigan.

Here in my our little bit of Tuscany on the edge of Chianti, I try to write this blog every Sunday Morning; occasionally it slips over to early Monday Morning.  But today I have cleared my desk and am on schedule!  My man and I have just returned from morning coffee at Bar Solferino in Certaldo and the sun is shining, so despite the freezing temperature, it is yet another beautiful day in Tuscany.

Now you may have noticed that we are rarely in our local village of Fiano these days.  The sad fact is that Laura’s Bar/Alimentare has been closed for two weeks again and the village has fallen into the doldrums.  Bar Piazzina in the centre of the village was abandoned months ago, so now there is nowhere to get coffee!  The heart has gone out of the village and there are a lot of retired people who need somewhere to focus on.  Fortunately, there are other shops; a tiny bakery and pizzeria, butchers, chemist, Milko’s book and card shop and a post office, however, the latter is only open two days a week now.  The only snippet of good news is that the village hall has been converted into a Gymnasium for the village elementary school, so at least that’s something!

So for now, Certaldo it is, a town that manages to still be active with several bars, small shops and businesses, despite the dreadful economic situation.  Do you remember when the UK was described as a nation of ‘shopkeepers?’ Well Italy is much the same, but things are changing fast.

Elton John is coming to the San Remo Song Festival! La Nazione.

Elton John is coming to the Sanremo Song Festival! La Nazione.

Saint Jude! A new TV series starting in the Autumn! Glossy magazine at my hairdressers.

Saint Jude! A new TV series starting in the Autumn! Glossy magazine at my hairdressers.

Back at Bar Solferino earlier in the week, I read that Elton John is this year attending the Sanremo 2016 Song Festival.  Looking at the list of other ‘stars’ I only recognise one and he is Italian!  Oh, and would you believe it the gorgeous Jude Law seems to have taken his vows and will soon be starring as Pio XIII in a new TV series directed by Paolo Sorrentino.  He still manages to look sexy, lets hope they haven’t cast him as gay, but hey ho.  Apparently it will go out on Sky Atlantic and most European countries, including the UK, will be able to tune in.  Mmmm must get SKY in before Wimbledon starts this year, methinks!

On the subject of sport, have you been to Florence and watched Historical Football, known here as Calcio Storica?

Calcio Storica. Very rough, half naked rugby/football in Florence! La Nazione

Calcio Storica. Very rough, half-naked rugby/football in Florence! La Nazione

It’s unique to Florence and is a kind of rugby match, however, the players wear medieval pantaloons and are stripped to the waist!  It’s been going on for several hundred years and there are regular demands for it to be banned because of the extreme violence.  Well it’s in the news again with more complaints.  I cannot understand what the fuss is all about, if these guys want to play the game, why not!  We girlies like it…..

Siena's Il Palio says no to invite from the Queen! La Nazione

Siena’s Il Palio says no to invite from the Queen!
La Nazione

Meanwhile, the other rather rough sport, the horse race called Il Palio in Siena, has caught the interest of Queen Elizabeth.  She invited the riders and their horses to attend her next birthday celebration, but they have turned her down.  They say that for just three days, the logistics are too problematic; so Queenie can’t always get what she wants despite being in the top ten most wealthy women in the world!

Well, enough of that.  Back here in the villa, life goes on in the most pleasurable way.  The sun is still shining and if we tuck into a sunny spot protected from the cold, we might just sit out with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio.  On the other hand, if we go over to ‘C’era Una Volta’ at Lucardo for lunch, I won’t have to cook.  O Dio, these executive decisions can weigh heavily on the mind; particularly on a Sunday.  Ok, time to shut the studio down and make a decision.

Have a great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June x

PS. I would love it if you 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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Mimosa, Certaldo, Mens’ Fashion, James Bond and Silvio in Beautiful Tuscany

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

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

Mimosa blossom in mid-January! foto P Finnigan

Mimosa blossom in mid-January!
foto P Finnigan

Very cold here, but bright sunshine and amazingly the Mimosa tree is already in blossom.  The Mimosa flowers are very sought after on La Festa Delle Donne, which does not normally arrive until the first weekend in March.  So we have a dilemma.  The beautiful yellow flowers are already out and they will definitely not survive until March, when bunches are cut and given to all one’s favourite female family members and friends.  Yes, I know, its much the same all over Europe, a long drawn out Autumn and then a sudden turn to cold weather when plants and trees have already been fooled into believing it is spring already!

Certaldo's history of slow food. La Nazione

Certaldo’s history of slow food.
La Nazione

Down in Certaldo, where we are more often to be found having our coffee, I read an article in the paper about Certaldo’s history and slow food.  The area does produce its own seasonal fruit and veg, cheeses and meats.  The most well-known veg is the Red Certaldo Onion.  A delicious sweet onion that is often turned into marmalade or bottled in olive oil.  I use them for everything, including frying in butter and piling into baked potatoes. Mmmmm.

Made in Italy - mens fashion article. La Nazione

Made in Italy – mens fashion article.
La Nazione

Also in the paper, there was an article on men’s fashion, ‘Made in Italy.’  Now the Italians much prefer to buy Italian.  Bright peel off stickers will be found on ready-made clothes, sporting the green, white and red of the Italian flag.  This does not necessarily mean you are paying more for the privilege as, unfortunately, Italian clothing workers are not paid high wages.  Of course these days, a lot of migrants are also being paid to do it.  But the quality of Italian clothes remains high.  Unlike, for example, Marks & Spencer in the UK, who I used to depend on for good lingerie; the finishing on knickers is awful and needless to say, produced in India or Pakistan.

The James Bond Archive Book foto J Finnigan

The James Bond Archive Book
foto J Finnigan

But enough of that.  You may remember it was my man’s birthday last week and I bought him, amongst other things, The James Bond Archive Book.  It’s immensely heavy, but beautifully put together and covers all the films in pictures and print right up to Skyfall.  Yes, OK, I confess I do love the Bond films and perhaps I wanted it too, well just a little….  The Italians also love James Bond, and the gorgeous Daniel is often in the news.

Silvio at a recent 95th birthday. La Nazione

Silvio at a recent 95th birthday.
La Nazione

A huge percentage of Italian women, and a sprinkling of men, are still having imaginary affairs with their own star Silvio Berlusconi.  Putting aside the politics, he was once a singer of ballads by the way, at the age of seventy-nine he still has charisma, perfect hair and a perma-tan.  The fact that he is short and rotund, does not seem to matter!  Of late he has been regularly back in the news and here he is attending a ninety-fifth birthday party.  Yes, another foto opportunity.

Farty Barty in his terracotta pot on windowsill. Photo P Finnigan

Farty Barty in his terracotta pot on windowsill.
Photo P Finnigan

Well, here in my studio, the work is piling up.  No, I am not swanning around like Farty Barty the cat, I am currently busy writing a Cyber Crime Thriller for a client, my third ‘Joanna Wilde’ novel titled ‘The Bolivian Connection’ and putting in several days work each week with my company.  But ‘life eeeez good, life eeeez now’ as the Italians like to say, in Italian of course.

OK, time to get this post edited then off to ‘C’era Una Volta for lunch.

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.

Read Full Post »

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