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Posts Tagged ‘Rock Concert’

Sunshine and flowers, Concert Preparations and writing in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 24, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Plants at the Saturday morning market in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

Plants at the Saturday morning market in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

“You didn’t see those two guys come in, did you?” My man looks at me with his deep blue eyes and I melt.  “Err, which two guys?” I say, trying to concentrate on something other than his handsome face.  “The two wearing camouflage outfits, you can’t see them can you? – ha ha!”  He roars.  I smile and shake my head.  He is in good fettle this Sunday morning at Laura’s Alimentare/Bar in Fiano, as we sip our delicious espresso and he enjoys a marmalade pastry.  This is a lot to do with the fact that the sun has finally come out after days of cold and rain.  Can you believe it, we actually lit a log fire last night!  “What would you like me to do in the garden today?”  He sighs like a contented cat, stretching back in his chair.  “Oh, you know, pruning the roses and dead flowers, planting those plants I got in the market yesterday, hoeing and weeding the rose beds….”  “OK, I get it, just about everything then?”  He grins and I smile back.

The Rock Chick Band Rocking. Photo P Finnigan

The Rock Chick Band Rocking.
Photo P Finnigan

Back in my studio I sit down to write this blog and reflect on the last few days.  I have been getting down to singing practice late morning every day this week, despite the lungs still being a bit raspy after the flu.  It’s now only twenty-seven days to the Fifth Annual Rock Concert which we hold every June in our Tuscan garden.  I must say, I am really looking forward to it and just love being behind the microphone.  I am also very excited to be seeing old friends again!   There will be a lot of celebrating, so we are stocking up the wine cellar!  If you are in Tuscany on 20th June and would like an invite to the concert party, send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net.  We would love to see you there.

I am well into writing my current novel ‘The Italian Connection’ and have been chuckling over a couple of the scenes I have just written.  Let me just say, that Joanna Wilde has a new role to play and is currently at ‘The Castello’, a beautiful historic castle in Tuscany.  Here is a little exert…..’I smiled and lifted out my favourite handgun. “It’s a Beretta 70, good little shooter, favoured by the James Bond girlies I believe,” Dominic’s voice echoed in my head.  Feeling the weight of it in my right hand, I checked the mechanism, which was as smooth as silk.  Then crouching, I held it with both hands in front of the long mirror. I felt a rush of pure adrenalin. Under the first layer of the box I found the thigh holster I favoured and a supply of ammunition. I loaded the gun and made sure the safety catch was on.  I placed it in the holster and strapped it to my inner thigh. It felt good.’

Silvio in Napoli. Photo La Nazione

Silvio in Napoli.
Photo La Nazione

Well, back in the real world, I read that our gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi has reached Napoli on his hustings tour.  Of course he will have plenty of friends there too, of a certain kind, and has met up with Alessandra Mussolini, yes descendant of you know who, and the Governatore uscente della Campania, Stefano Caldoro.  SB’s popularity remains undiminished and it will be an interesting time ahead.

An evening with VinSanto on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

An evening with Vin Santo on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Ah, whats this?  Farty Barty the cat has found his way up to the studio and is meowing at me.  Now, he is restricted to the kitchen when in the house, after a couple of whoopsee accidents, so there must be a door open somewhere.  I’d best go down with him and investigate.  So, I think I will love you and leave you at this point and wish you all a fantastic week.  I will think of you when we enjoy a little drink or three in the garden this evening.

Salute June x

PS Don’t forget to visit my books on Amazon and I would love it if you were to leave a review!

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 Dust Settles, Sunshine, Tourists, Dropped Trousers, and a Chinese Invasion in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers,

Yes, the dust has settled.  After my new book launch I have finally allowed myself a couple of days to relax, despite my being inspired to write another chapter of ‘The Italian Connection.’

Georgeous sunset last Friday evening. Photo J Finnigan

gorgeous sunset last Friday evening.
Photo J Finnigan

It is still a little chilly but finally we are having some lovely sunny weather.  This is important, not just for our own state of mind, but also for the tourists that have started to arrive in droves.  “The car in front is a hire car.”  My man announces as we follow a Sunday driver back from Certaldo this morning.  “I really don’t know how you can tell the difference between a hire car and a normal one!”  I say.  “Well its a combination of no local garage sticker on the back, the number plate and the way they are driving.”  Said the Wiseman.  “Oh, silly me” I mumble, “I should have realised.”  “Have you noticed how we have personally influenced the local Italians with our Honda CRV?” He continued.  “After we bought this car, lots of others started to appear on the local roads.  In fact, we have always been influencers.  When we lived in England we were the first people in the West Country to buy a Ford Escort Cabriolet and then the Limited Edition Wrangler Jeep.  In no time at all, other people were copying us and doing the same.”  Once again I am amazed at how observant my man was, and is, regarding cars.  “Do you know, it had never occurred to me!”  I smiled encouragingly.  Don’t you just love the man?  I do.

dropped trousers protest. La Nazione Newspaper

dropped trousers protest.
La Nazione Newspaper

Earlier, we had enjoyed coffee at Bar Solferino in Certaldo where the caffè Latte is so good, I had two.  Idling my way through the local Nazione  newspaper, my attention is quite naturally drawn to a picture of several Italian men standing in the street with their trousers dropped around their ankles.  Is this a brazen way of showing all the girlie tourists whats on offer?  No it is a protest by Bar Owners, against the high taxes they are having to pay for running their bars and caffes!  Well, this is sad news of course and I don’t want to belittle the cause, but I will be very happy to see many more protests of this nature!

Flowering Pots on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Flowering Pots on the upper terrace.
Photo J Finnigan

Meanwhile, back in our lovely garden we are enjoying the smell of cut grass and the first blooms of Wisteria and Jasmin.  It gives one such a lift, after a rather drawn out winter.  You may remember that my lovely sister-in-law came to stay a couple of weeks ago and did all the Spring potting.  The pots are now overflowing with flowers and the bees are buzzing; it all looks amazing.  Oh yes, not to forget the arrival of the first Cuckoo, Hoopies, Swallows, Swallowtail Butterflies and Pippestrello Bats!

I am realising that my Rock Concert is now only a couple of months away, so its important to do the voice exercises every day.  Yesterday, I was once again brainwashing myself with the lyrics to ‘RadioActive’ and singing along to it.  “You need to go longer on the ‘died’ and the ‘bones.” My man said helpfully. “This is a new song in my repertoire” I say, “so I have a lot more practising to do.”    “Ah.” He says.  As I write this blog, I can hear David Bowie blasting out from the speakers in the kitchen.   I am itching to get back behind the microphone.

Silvio's difficult goodbye to AC Milan. Nazione Newspaper

Silvio’s difficult goodbye to AC Milan.
Nazione Newspaper

Back in the land of the filthy rich, I can see that Italy is about to be overrun by wealthy Chinese.  Well, if the likely purchase of Silvio Berlusconi’s football club, AC Milan, is anything to go by.  The candidates for the acquisition are currently three Chinese, a Thailandia and a Swiss/Austrian.  Every time I see TV cameras at a football match, concert or other gathering of people, up pops several Chinese faces!  Now, I don’t think I am imagining things, but I am sure that there is a clever invasion going on, which is arriving on flying carpets made of Yuan Renminbi notes.

Well, enough of that.  Time to make myself beautiful and go off to Montespertoli for a passeggiata with my man and a cocktail, before lunch at ‘C’era una Volta’ Trattoria in Lucardo.

Have a great week and see you next time.

Amore June x

Here are the direct links for my novels.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=june+finnigan&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3Ajune+finnigan

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=june+finnigan

PS  For any other part of the world, just visit Amazon books and insert June Finnigan in the box.  Happy reading.

My Father, The Assassin. Book on 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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Olive Branches, Italian Men, Flowering Pots and Chocolate Eggs in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 30, 2015| 3 Comments »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

Montespertoli ladies with olive branches. Photo P Finnigan

Montespertoli ladies with olive branches.
Photo P Finnigan

So there we were, in Montespertoli for the first time in six months, enjoying an aperitivo in the piazza in glorious sunshine and watching the world go by.  Then the churchgoers started to parade past us and we realised that it must be Palm Sunday, because everyone was carrying an olive branch.  Either that, or there had been a mass raid of the local olive groves to take cuttings for new planting.  Well of course it was the former, however, I have to say that a number of olive groves have been devastated by bugs and have been dug up and burnt.  So it would not surprise me if some of these branches were not taken home and stuck into rooting compost.

Coffee with Perofil Man. Phot J Finnigan

Coffee with Perofil Man.
Photo J Finnigan

I know that a lot of you girlies out there are keen on Italian men, so when I saw this picture in a magazine in the bar, I thought I would share it with you.  There is nothing like sharing my morning coffee with a hunky Armani man (of course my own Englishman is just as gorgeous), but then I saw this Perofil man and knew you would love it.  However, unless you find very good vintage, I think it is important for you to realise that Italian men do deteriorate over the years.  However, whilst the old boys may lose their looks, they never lose their charm!

Now it has been a busy week, what with my lovely sister-in-law ( mia cognata) arriving to do the spring pots and therefore a visit to the garden centre in Poggibonsi was necessary.  Wednesday and Thursday were damp and miserable, so the planting on the terraces only really got going on the Friday.  So mia cognata and I were forced to go out to lunch at C’era Una Volta, or Paolo’s, as we affectionately call the restaurant.  Paolo has been making his yummy leek and potato soup, especially as he knows how much I like it.  We also went back on Friday evening when my man returned from London.  He had arrived earlier at the station with our fourteen year old grandson, who is back from Blundells for a three-week Easter school holiday.  So we had a jolly gathering at the Jazz Caffe in Certaldo for cocktails, before the grandson went home with our daughter who lives near Volterra.

Saturday was hectic, with lunch at our daughter’s farmhouse,  then an evening with our lovely Bavarian friends and the Australian couple who had bought our old rented home across the valley at La Selva.  I won’t tell you the whole story, but due to the good company, wine and loud music, we ended up dancing around pretending to be Mick Jagger and various other guitar playing rockers.  I know, I can hear you saying, so what’s new!  Talking about rocking, I am being very good and exercising the voice every day, well most days!  Time is rushing by and my next Rock Concert will be here before we know it!  If you will be in Tuscany on the 20th June, and would like an invite, send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net.

Back in the garden, the flowering pots on the terrace were looking fabulous.  I expected to take some pictures in bright sunshine this morning, however, its clouded over again!  But despite that, the light has turned out to be quite good so here is a taste of the beautiful displays created by mia Cognata, who is such a star.  Meanwhile, back at caffè Bar Solferino in Certaldo, she enjoys a much deserved coffee in front of the amazing giant Easter eggs that are on display there.

Cluster of planted pots on the upper terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Cluster of planted pots on the upper terrace.
Photo J Finnigan

La Cognata at caffe Solferino in Certaldo with giant Easter Eggs. Photo J Finnigan

La Cognata at caffè Bar Solferino in Certaldo with giant Easter Eggs.
Photo J Finnigan

Fabulous colour on the upper terrace Phot J Finnigan

Fabulous colour on the upper terrace
Photo J Finnigan

 

Well, I really must get on with the final proof reading of ‘The Bolivian Connection’ as I know you are all itching to read it.  I have a couple of issues with the publisher, however, I expect to notify you of it being ready and on sale in the next couple of days.

Wishing you all a fabulous week from Tuscany.

Amore June x

Book cover for 'The Bolivian Connection' Available very soon.

Book cover for ‘The Bolivian Connection’
Available very soon.

 

 

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Three Lovely Girlies in Certaldo and Silvio is a Happy Man, in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 16, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Catarina with mimosa at Caffe Bar Solfarino in Certaldo

Caterina with mimosa at Caffe Bar Solferino in Certaldo Photo J Finnigan

Now I promise that this will be the last time I mention Mimosa and Festa Della Donna this year, however, I just wanted to tell you about three lovely girlies in Certaldo.  These young ladies are very important to me and on Sunday 8th March, which was the actual Festa day, my man and I popped into Caffe Bar Solferino, at the top of the main piazza in Certaldo for our morning coffee.  We presented Caterina with a big piece of Mimosa from the tree in our garden, and she was delighted.  We go there for coffee most Wednesdays and Saturdays, however, we also popped in on the Sunday this time because Laura had closed her bar in Fiano for the day.  Caterina makes the most delicious caffè latte, the pastries are to die for and she always has a lovely smile on her face.

Sandra my lovely hairdresser at La Parrucchiera, Via Fabiani 1/D, Certaldo Tel 0039 3341217437

Sandra my lovely hairdresser at La Parrucchiera, Via Fabiani 1/D, Certaldo
Tel 0039 3341217437

Now last week I took time out for the hairdresser and beauty parlour.  Sandra, my beautiful hairdresser, who I can totally rely on to layer my hair exactly as I like it and to colour it a perfect shade of red.  I have been going to Sandra now for ten years and she still seems no older than twenty-one.  There are a lot of weddings in the summer months in Certaldo Alto, the historical centre up on the hill, and Sandra is already booked for two of them.  One wedding party is from London, UK!  She was in high spirits last Wednesday, telling me about my man’s description of his being filmed in London, and quoting ‘Shoes by Berlutti, suit by Armani and hair by Sandra!’  She just loved this.  Yes, my man had been filmed for a business venture, not for the next Bond film, so don’t get too excited!

My beautician, the lovely Irene at Esteticamente, via Trento 28/B, Certaldo. Tel 0039 057166087

My beautician, the lovely Irene at Esteticamente, via Trento 28/B, Certaldo. Tel 0039 057166087

Then there is the lovely Irene, who keeps my hands and feet in top condition at her beauty parlour.  My nails are currently a dark purply black as I like a sort of Rock Chick look, my being the rock chick in the Rock Chick Band of course.  Next week she’s going to give my face a good cleansing and revitalization.  When one is a minor celebrity its important to scrub up well, you just don’t know who might turn up with one of my books in their shoulder bag, wanting it signed!

On the subject of books we are very close to publishing ‘The Bolivian Connection.’  But do not visit Amazon until I make the announcement, as there is just a tiny bit of tweaking still going on.

Silvio's case is thrown out! Il Terreno newspaper.

Silvio’s case is thrown out!
Il Terreno newspaper.

Oh yes, some good news for the Prince of Politics, Silvio Berlusconi.  The courts have thrown out the case against him for having sex with an underage prostitute.  His followers are ecstatic and we are expecting SB to be re-entering politics!  There was a really good article written by Mark Duff for BBC News, where he mentioned his Italian in-laws who said about their forbear Aldo;  “Aldo – soft-hearted, honest, hard-working man that he was – could see the attraction of Mr Berlusconi.  You see, he had done what every Italian man of that generation dreamt of.  He had become rich, he had power; he was flash and funny – and he had women, lots of them.  More than that, he had got away with it. He was, as the Italians put it, “furbo” – cunning. You didn’t have to approve of him – but you couldn’t help admiring his chutzpah.”  I am also pleased, because, without the charisma of Silvio, the political news here in Italy is pretty dull and depressing.

But enough of that, let’s get on with a really cracking week and see you next weekend.

Salute June x

PS Available soon….

Book cover for 'The Bolivian Connection'

Book cover for ‘The Bolivian Connection’

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Mimosa Blossom, Sanremo, Calcio and the Six Nations in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

The first Mimosa blossom in the garden. Photo J Finnigan

The first Mimosa blossom in the garden.
Photo J Finnigan

Returning from coffee in Fiano this morning, I ambled through the garden breathing in the air and absorbing the smell of spring just below the surface.  Whilst the winter countryside and garden here in Tuscany is still very beautiful, thanks to the evergreen trees including the silver green of the olive, we still long for spring and the uplift of the mind that goes with it.  Then I saw the bright flash of yellow and, hurrah, the Mimosa tree has opened its first fluffy blossoms.  So it will be only a matter of days before its heady perfume will be filling the air!

The hugely popular and charismatic TV personality Carlo Conti joins me for coffee. Photo J Finnigan

The hugely popular and charismatic TV personality Carlo Conti joins me for coffee.
Photo J Finnigan

Many of you will be aware that the 65th Festival della Canzone Italia has been going on in Sanremo, hosted by the very popular Carlo Conti.  This is where the great and the good Italian singers go to celebrate, yes you got it, singing.  There is massive coverage on television and the bar is full of talk about who they liked best the previous night.  We do not have SKY where we are, and are limited to some local stations, BBC World, Bloomberg and a few obscure ones.  So unfortunately, or depending on your point of view fortunately, we did not watch it.  In my humble view, there are some very good Italian singers of popular music and a little rock, but there are also some awful ones that are amazingly popular and can be heard constantly on the radio.  Radios are always playing in bars, hairdressers, dentists…  Oh dio, why did I have to mention the dentist again!  (I have one more visit to go, you see, so think of me on Tuesday!)  Fortunately, the Italians also love English and American music, so there is a lot of that too.

On the subject of music, I have finally finished typing out the lyrics for my next rock concert.  They need to be in bold and size 18, no the font size silly, so that I can see it without my glasses at night.  Whilst mentioning this, if you are not already on my invite list and can make it to Tuscany on June 20, do send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net.

The adoration of Calcio. Photo J Finnigan

The adoration of Calcio.
Photo J Finnigan

No doubt you are aware that the football (calcio) season is in full swing and the Italians are crazy for it.  In our area the main team to follow is Florence (Fiorentina) whose colour is purple.  I wear this colour a lot, because I like it and it suits me.  I am often being congratulated for supporting the team!

Ireland demolish Italy in the first round of the Six Nations. Photo J Finnigan

Ireland demolish Italy in the first round of the Six Nations.
Photo J Finnigan

From our point of view, we are a great rugby family, coverage of the Six Nations Rugby last weekend, by the Italian sports channel, was a very pleasant surprise.  As you can imagine, my man was a very happy rabbit indeed.  Our grandson, who started at an English boarding school last term, for the sole purpose of following his dream of becoming a professional player, is also delighted to be able to watch it here in Italy during his half term.  Sadly, Italy has a long way to go to be up to the standard of the other five teams, but time will tell.  A big investment is needed in Italian Rugby for it to really become competitive.

But life eeez good here in our lovely bit of the Chianti hills.  Farty Barty the cat seems to have returned to normal after a rush of dating, as is his wont this time of year.  I heard a Hoopee calling yesterday, the sun is now shining and by next weekend both my current novels should be ready for publication.

Well, time to get on with making myself beautiful as my man and I are off to C’era una Volta for lunch.

Thanks again for the follow and do drop me a line.

Molto Amore June x

PS   Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan. You can also visit http://www.amazon.com & http://www.amazon.eu

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Boxes, Politicians in Knickers, Pistoia Blues Festival and Cannabis in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 1, 2015| 2 Comments »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

“So what are all these boxes left in the study, do you know what’s in them?”  I ask my man.  “No idea.”  He replies, trying to look convincing.  Last Thursday two IKEA men arrived with some long-awaited storage, so we could finally unpack boxes of clothes and other things and put them away.  Now, we have moved house rather a lot over the years and some of these boxes have not been opened for ten years or more.  “I bet you’ve got your 70’s cheesecloth shirts and your Miami Vice trousers in one of these boxes!”  I say.  “Humph, possibly.”  He mumbles.  “Well, I’m sure at least half of what you have could go up to the big clothes collection box in the Piazza.”  I smile encouragingly.  “I might want to wear them again one day.”  He argues.  “I just need to lose a bit of weight, so there’s no point in unpacking it all, as we’ll only have to pack it again when we next move….” He goes all big eyes and I melt.  O Dio…

Silvio and friends at Viareggio Carnivale. Il Torreno Newspaper.

Silvio and friends at Viareggio Carnivale.
Il Torreno Newspaper.

Back at Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano, my man and I are enjoying our morning coffee and reading the newspapers, as Sig Rotund, who cheekily tries to hide them from us, has not arrived yet.  There are some fun pictures of the famous Viareggio Carnival, and I just love this one of Silvio Berlusconi and other politicians in knickers and bras.  Just think, can you imagine this kind of Micky taking in some of the arab countries!  Here in Italy anything goes, thank god.  Whoops, are we allowed to use the lord’s name in vain these days?  And should I write lord with a capital L?  “Jesus Christ” I groan aloud.

Then underneath I read that the fabulous band Dream Theater are performing at the Pistoia Blues Festival near Florence.  I had every intention of going, but by the time I remembered, the tickets had all been sold.  Blast it.  Anyway, I will be performing their great song ‘Wither’ in my next concert;  I’m really looking forward to that.

Cannabis arrives! Il Terrano newspaper

Cannabis arrives!
Il Terrano newspaper

I should mention, that earlier in the week the newspaper reported that Cannabis will be available on prescription in March.  No, no, not the pot smoking version, although I do have some fond memories about that.  This will likely be herbal medicines on prescription, which will be fantastic because it is now the only thing that might ease my aching joints, my being allergic to pain killers.  Chianti wine helps, but it doesn’t quite hit the spot, just takes the mind off things…..

Then my man reads out that yesterday, Saturday, the car hire staff at Pisa Airport all went on strike, blocking the road and causing chaos.  “That’s what comes of one company like Europcar, buying up the other car hire firms and having the monopoly.”  I say.  “So if Europcar strikes, all the others do too!”

Back at my computer, I have been doing a final edit for the second edition of ‘My Father, The Assassin’, which will be published at the same time as my latest follow-up novel ‘The Bolivian Connection.’  The idea is to change the size of the book and cover, to match the more popular dimensions of around 5″x 7.3″ and, of course, to update my biography on the back cover.  You never know, if you have a first edition of ‘My Father, The Assassin’… it may become a collector’s piece!  It’s currently still available, see below!

Silvio looking very depressed. Photo Reuters

Silvio looking very depressed.
Photo Reuters

Meanwhile, I hear that our friend Silvio Berlusconi is still in the news.  That is, apart from the carnival picture above.  He is very unhappy that Prime Minister Renzi nominated Sergio Mattarella, a former Senior Judge, for the important position of Italy’s President.  Silvio does not like judges.  One has to remember, that whilst the President has a mostly ceremonial role, as Head of State he does has the power to dissolve parliament, call elections and pick prime ministers.  This nomination has caused a rift between Silvio and Renzi, however, I have just had news that Sig Mattarella has now been crowned.  So poor Silvio will have to eat dust for the time being.

Well, enough for now, must get on with the workload and finish the editing.  Have a great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June x

PS  Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan. You can also visit http://www.amazon.com & http://www.amazon.eu

 

 

 

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A Fat Cat, Olives, White Truffles, Alice Cooper and Autumn in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2014| 1 Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Farty Barty guards the villa on top of the trellis over the Orange Trees. Photo J Finnigan

Farty Barty guards the villa on top of the trellis over the Orange Trees.
Photo J Finnigan

We can’t help but notice how fat and lethargic Farty Barty the cat has become.  But when we think back over the years, and as Autumn takes over, he does start to lay on the fat layers and thickens his fur.  He is also building his energy to service the girlies come January and February.  In case you were not aware, Barty is half-wild.  He will sometimes disappear for up to five days, then return starving and exhausted, lying around the garden and kitchen recuperating.  The mind boggles as to what he gets up to.

Back in the countryside, the grape harvest is winding down and the ground around the olive trees is being cleared for the olive picking.  Whilst the grape harvest has been good, we are not expecting such an abundant olive crop.  Sadley, insect infestation  and desease has been a problem, so the price of Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil is likely to be much higher this year.  Thinking about that unique taste makes my mouth water, particularly on Fettunta, that is day old bread toasted, rubbed with garlic and drizzled with oil.  Mmmmm.

It’s also the time of year to enjoy white truffles (tartufo bianco).  We had Tagliatelle con Tartufo for lunch at ‘C’era Una Volta’ yesterday, expensive, but worth every cent.   If you haven’t tasted Tartufo in Italy, you really must!  Two americans joined us, having just arrived for ten days, and we enjoyed a lively discussion.  Ginger, if you are reading this, do get on and write that book and have a great holiday.

Alice Cooper. Photo - Alice Cooper official photo gallery

Alice Cooper.
Photo – Alice Cooper official photo gallery

My man went to London for a few days last week and I spent one evening playing loud music including some Alice Cooper.  Don’t ever ask me to watch his stage act, however, I really like ‘Poison’ which I have added to my repertoire for next year’s concert.  Our good friend and doctor Flavio, suggested that I also do ‘Bed of Nails’, so I’ll check this out.  When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to do an Alice Cooper, she said “Oh, that won’t be too difficult for you June!” Did she mean the song or the image?  she had gone before I had time to think about what she had said……

After my man returned from a successful trip to London, he was finding the Italian attitude irritating.  Now don’t get me wrong, but I do understand how he feels sometimes, particularly the parking on pavements, walking the roads with their dogs on the outside, letting their small children run loose in a busy car park etc  Obviously, this doesn’t apply to all Italians, but every day we get a little annoyed at something.

Autumn on the upper Terrace. Photo J Finnigan

Autumn on the upper Terrace.
Photo J Finnigan

However, life eeez good, life eeez now.  We celebrated yet another anniversary at the weekend, and I have to say, celebrating here in Tuscany with that view and a lovely glass of prosecco would be difficult to beat anywhere else.  The garden is still beautiful with the bouganvillea in full bloom and all the rich autumn colours are beginning to creep through.

Well, I must crack on with the day job and look forward to speaking with you next time.  Have a great week.

Do drop me a line.

Amore June x

ps If you have read ‘My Father, The Assassin’, I would love it if you could pop back to Amazon and leave a review.  Thank you lovely readers.

 

 

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The Rock Chick Band Photo Gallery, in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , on August 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuto to all my lovely New and Loyal Followers

I have just received the professional photos I have been waiting for, so rather than send you a lengthy blog this time, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures!  At last I have a band hug photo, which I will frame and put up in my studio; a copy is below.  This was taken just before the performance and so it was still light, around nine thirty.  Its getting dark at eight now and summer only showed its face for the first time, a couple of days ago!

Rock Chick Band Group Hug. Left to right: Paola Micheletti, Stefano Bartalesi, Me, Mario Marmugi, Lorenzo Capelli and behind Lorenzo Capelli. Photo Chiara Benelli

Rock Chick Band Group Hug.
Left to right: Paola Micheletti, Stefano Bartalesi, Me, Mario Marmugi, Lorenzo Alderrighi and behind Lorenzo Capelli.
Photo Chiara Benelli

Paola plays percussion and sings backing vocals, she’s also the band’s bit of long-legged glamour, the amazing Stefano is Italy’s answer to George Harrison, on Lead Guitar and personality wise, he’s also known as Signor Hot Stuff.   Mario is known to be ‘The  Drummer’ because he is, quite simply, the best in Tuscany and probably Italy, and Lorenzo A is our quiet but perfectly formed lovely base player.  Behind is our larger than life Rythmn Guitarist and backing vocalist, Lorenzo C.   All, of course, brilliant musicians and great fun to be with.

Our annual concerts are serious, in so much we like to do what we do really well, however, it is also a fun evening, interacting with our guests and letting our hair down.

We would love to have you join us next year, so do drop me a line at june.finnigan@virgin.net assuming you are available on June 20th 2015 in Tuscany.

 

 

 

Paola on backing vocals

Paola on backing vocals Photo Chiara Benelli

 

Me enjoying myself on lead vocals. Photo Chiara Benelle

Me enjoying myself on lead vocals.
Photo Chiara Benelle

Stefano on Lead Guitar Photo Chiara Benelli

Stefano on Lead Guitar
Photo Chiara Benelli

 

Lorenzo on base Photo Chiara Benelli

Lorenzo on base
Photo Chiara Benelli

Lorenzo on Rythmn Guitar and backing vocals Photo Chiara Benelli

Lorenzo on Rythmn Guitar and backing vocals
Photo Chiara Benelli

Mario on Drums Photo Chiara Beneli

Mario on Drums
Photo Chiara Beneli

 

 

The Rock Chick Band Rocking. Photo P Finnigan

The Rock Chick Band Rocking.
Photo P Finnigan

 

OK, I hope you enjoyed that.  Next year we will get a sound recordist in.  So watch this space.  Have a great week.

Amore June x

PS  Don’t forget to visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/junefinnigan/author.com

 

 

 

 

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

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

Benvenuto to all my Lovely Followers,

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

Simon Baker, aged 44, Ausralian Actor.

Simon Baker, aged 44, Australian Actor.

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

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

Pashion Flower Photo P Finnigan

Passion Flower
Photo P Finnigan

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

Grapes on the Lower Terrace Photo P Finnigan

Grapes on the Lower Terrace
Photo P Finnigan

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

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

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

Have a great week and see you at the weekend.

Molto Amore

June x

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

 

 

 

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The Rock Chick Band, New Friends, House Guests, superb Food and Wine in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , on July 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

Well, here we go with all the news on the Rock Chick Band and two frenetic weeks of sheer fun and pleasure.

The Rock Chick Band Photo P Finnigan

The Rock Chick Band
Photo P Finnigan

It’s amazing to think that two weeks has rushed by since our fourth annual Rock Concert Garden party and already friends have booked the spare room for next year which will be on the 20th June 2015!  Needless to say, the band did a brilliant job again, and I feel so lucky to be backed by such talented musicians and all younger good-looking Italian guys!  Thank you too to Paola, who turned in a rocking performance on backing vocals.  We had a flood of new people, who seemed to know someone who knew someone else, or maybe they were gatecrashers, but we didn’t mind either way.  Crazy Americans dancing the Zombie, a North African in traditional clothes lusting after our lovely house guest (she won’t want to be reminded of that) and other dance moves that defied gravity!  Other rather more sedate guests positioned themselves on comfortable seats with a supply of wine, and clapped and stomped their feet, bless them.

The children's Beduin Tent Phot P Finnigan

The children’s Bedouin Tent
photo P Finnigan

We also had a little bedouin type tent for the little children to romp in.  So a good time was had by one and all.  Our nine-year old granddaughter did a sterling job of filming the whole concert on a camcorder, which is fun to watch, but not suitable for YouTube I’m afraid, as the sound quality is pretty poor.  My man and I managed a smooch during the instrumental of ‘Parisian Walkways’ which set my heart a flutter;  a few others were smooching too, I hope they also found amore that night.

The daughter and Grandaughter watch Granny performing. Phot P Finnigan

The daughter and Grandaughter with a camcorder, watch Granny performing.
Photo P Finnigan

I would like to say how much we enjoyed the company of our beautiful house guest from Hereford who is off to Rome this week.  We hope you find that gorgeous hunky Italian you are dreaming of!  And thank you to my man’s lovely sister who did a massive amount of pot planting in the garden prior to the concert. It still looks amazing, grazie mille x  Needless to say, things were so hectic that we were forced to make several visits to local restaurants for good food and wine, to keep our energy levels up.  Our fridge proved far too small for all the food we needed at home, so I am relieved to say that we now have a big new one called The Tardis.  Oh yes, not forgetting all the gifts I found later on the dining table;  grazie all you lovely people for being so generous.  Just a couple of mishaps to report; our lovely houseguest got an eye infection and needed a visit to our handsome friend and  doctor Flavio, and the sister took a tumble out on a walk, having not laced her walking boots up properly, and ended up in pronto secorso (emergency) for an X-ray.  But all was fine and nothing a nice glass of Chianti couldn’t cure.

Two beautiful girlies, The Houseguest and The Sister out on a hike. Photo P Finnigan

Two beautiful girlies, The Houseguest and The Sister out on a hike.
Photo P Finnigan

You may think that life after a Rock Concert Party must be pretty dull.  But not here in Tuscany, oh no…..  Back at Laura’s bar/alimentary in Fiano, the entertainment continues unabated.  People watching is such fun, what with all the tourists coming in and out.  Some English and American, but lots of Polish, French and German.  An Italian old boy, came up to me and bowed low, taking my hand.  “poor bloke,” said my man, “He’s probably got a bad back…”    Meanwhile, signore Rotund was exposing his generous belly as he cleaned his glasses on the edge of his T-shirt and at the local ristorante an English couple on the next table were planning their Tuscan wedding, so I gave them lots of pointers, as one does.  Also, the children are on holiday and this includes our grandchildren who will be coming to stay shortly; we always have a great time together.  Time to get the board games out again.

I’m not at all sure what the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi has been doing over the last two weeks, I must check this out for next time.  I was rather disappointed that he did not show up at the Rock Concert, but hey ho…!

Well, I must go and organise an aperitivo.  The sun is shining after several days of stormy weather, so we must get out on the upper terrace and enjoy.

Do drop me a line and don’t forget to visit my author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan  I will be dedicating August to completing the first draft of ‘The Bolivian Connection’, so watch this space.

Have a great week.

Amore June x

PS I am awaiting the professional photos of the concert and will post these very soon!

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