Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World
Well, what a surprise that was! Last Monday everything opened up including bars, restaurants and thank god, hairdressers! I managed to get an appointment with Sandra
on the Thursday and, bless her, she had opened despite the stringent rules of distancing and hand cleansing. She had cleared the salon of all the furniture, bar two chairs for the clients and an armchair for a third person to wait in. Of course, the experience was not too pleasant as there were no magazines or an offer of coffee. But I will be forever grateful for returning to Rock Chick red having slowly sunk over nine weeks, into a depressing Granny Grey!
To celebrate my return to normality, and being able to stop and look in the mirror without cringing, our lovely family came over for lunch yesterday. Whilst, as always, my big tray of garlic potatoes failed like most of my meals, this was more than made up for by the delicious egg and gluten free chocolate cake made by our brilliant and gorgeous fifteen year old granddaughter! Yes, here in Tuscany we can at least enjoy the normality of family meals again.
We have not been back to a restaurant yet. I know, this is so unlike us, but the idea of face masks and two metre separations does not appeal. The only thing concerning me is that we are 
not supporting our local restaurants and how many others are doing the same. I think we probably should go to Paolo’s at C’era Una Volta soon, just to make sure he and his lovely wife Gaia made it back from the Maldives at the beginning of the lockdown, and to let them know we care! Also, it’s that time of year for Burrata and grilled veggie! What do you think, should we go?
What else? How are things with you? I have to say, I am so glad to be in Italy and not the UK during this pandemic. Whilst one cannot believe everything in the papers, the UK seems to be in a right mess! Meanwhile, on Saturday, our granddaughter met up with a group of teenage friends in Siena, after nine weeks of on-line schooling. They all had their face masks on and kept a sensible distance. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with some young people.
Meanwhile, in Exmouth, Devon in England, my mother celebrated her 96th birthday just with the staff of the nursing home, who thankfully are very kind to her. Her main carer Jade sent some lovely pictures, which I was glad to receive as I would have been there in normal circumstances. But down on Exmouth beach, my brother reported that people have been swarming and not taking any care over face masks or crowding. It all sounds pretty horrifying. However here, the locals in our nearby village continue to wear masks and keep their distance and coffee is only served to take away.
Anyway, enough of that, the sun is shining and the 
garden and countryside looks gorgeous. We have so many birds now, the morning chorus is deafening! But we love it. Our plans this week? Well, it is work as normal from tomorrow, still remotely of course, but we are quite enjoying it. I need to put more time into completing my current novel and learning the guitar. What with our having to cancel the Rock Chick Band Concert in June, my man has asked me to do a performance just for him, so I will. If any stragglers turn up who did not get the cancellation message, at least they’ll find me doing my lone performance. I have asked my man to buy me a microphone and speakers for my birthday, watch this space….
OK, time to get on with the writing and then to rescue the leftovers for lunch, that saves me having to cook another meal. Should I ring Paolo?
Have a great week and stay safe.
Salute June x
PS Don’t forget visit my author website at My Site
This morning, Saturday, I drove into Fiano for supplies, filling the water bottles and popping into the farmacia (chemist). When I spotted a covered stall in the Piazza, I thought it was market! But no, it was the wonderful Red Cross, who do a fabulous job here in the Commune di Certaldo and had arrived with a couple of boxes full of free face masks! Now, if a country like Italy whose funds are stretched to the limit can do this, why can’t others do the same, like the UK for example. It’s all about priorities. Here it is still mandatory to wear masks and not silly homemade efforts or fashion versions, but ones that actually work!
On the way home the banks were festooned with poppies. It’s that time of year when tourists love to be here for the gorgeous poppies and wild flowers everywhere. Well. everything in the countryside remains the same, just waiting for all you lovely people who love Tuscany like us, to return when everything opens up again. Foto S E Finnigan-Kilby
As you know, I am currently writing my fourth novel, ‘Assassin’s List,’ which has involved quite a lot of research. In my search for in depth knowledge of Cuba I kept coming across a book called ‘Cuba: A Country Study by Rex.A.Hudson. I could read some pages on-line but not copy or download. It’s not available as an e-book, so I decided to buy the hard copy version. I know this may sound silly, but I am really excited to be receiving a Proper Book again, it’s a bit like Christmas! Yes, I know, I’ve digressed…
Meanwhile, have you noticed how many fashion houses are now on-line. For those that are really struggling Next are taking on a lot of the orders and deliveries on their behalf. I know it’s tempting not to buy clothes at this time, but if you can bring yourself to visit some of the smaller designers, they are all offering huge discounts and often free delivery. I have mentioned James Lakeland before, who is a UK fashion designer and has everything made in Italy. I love his stuff. He currently has a big sale on, so do take a look! 
“And, yet Another Beautiful Day in Tuscany” I said to my man, as we set out on our walk around the edge of the garden. I actually say this every day and it’s true, no matter what the weather, there is a beauty in these hills that can’t be hidden by storm clouds or even foggy mornings.
This morning, Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice the change in the long grasses covering the slope below our house. It wasn’t long ago that it was covered in wild flowers, now the grasses have taken over, yet they are beautiful in their own right. Soon, they will be strimmed away by our landlord, but meanwhile we will enjoy them. Everything is so lush and green.
8am and it was warm enough to sit down under the European Oak, which is now our shady spot for the summer. It’s amazing how beautiful the underside of a tree can be! Yes, I know, we have been on lock-down for two months, but this has only helped us to become even more aware of nature’s beauty. Already the garden was teeming with bees and birds; the Acacia Trees were buzzing and the Bee Eaters were sitting at the top having their breakfast! What a fabulous display. How is it that the Bee Eaters don’t get stung? That’s another Google search for later today.
Meanwhile, Italy has passed another celebration day without the usual celebrations! May 1st celebrates the successful completion of all the preparation in the fields for an abundance of fruit and olives in the Autumn and, the start of Summer. At least the fields and ortos (vegetable gardens) have been busy over the lockdown period; food and wine production in Italy cannot stop for a virus. Officially called La Festa dei Lavori (workers’ Day) it is also a public holiday. This time last year, beaches, parks and public gardens would be packed with Italians and their picnics, this year rather more quietly spent at home in the garden or on a balcony. How did you spend your day?
And so, tomorrow 4th May heralds the beginning of the easing of lockdown here in Italy. This will be a nervous time for many, including me, hoping that people continue to be vigilant, as nothing has changed other than reaching a point in time when some things needed reopening. We can visit with our family this week! Now that’s great news, but we are still supposed to wear our masks (a legal requirement) and keep to a safe distance….. We must still carry forms that are filled out saying why we are travelling and the reasons remain limited. Essential shopping, doctor, hospital and visiting parents. You can now go for long walks or runs but starting from your front door, no driving to beauty spots or parks for your exercise. More shops will be open, but this will not change the way we are doing things, I am happy with our local grocery store and farmacia (chemist). It will be June before we will see any resemblance to normality; restaurants, hairdressers and salons, my three longed for destinations! But we are amongst the lucky ones, despite my long greying locks and need for a pedicure. Thank you once again to Tuscany and our local Italians for keeping me sane and to my man for his wonderful sense of humour. Foto Alice Russell for Toscana Promotion Turistica.
Yesterday, I would have been blogging to you but we had no internet, which is so crucial for any communication, writing and work-wise. So, I start the working week with this blog. I am no stranger to working from home. Over the last sixteen years, I have become very experienced in commuting between Italy and London. As technology improved further, I could spend more time in Tuscany where my man and I both have comfortable working offices. Video meetings have become the norm and of course email has virtually replaced hard copy mailings. But there is nothing quite like face to face meetings and perhaps a nice lunch with a client. But these pleasures must now go on hold.
Anyway, here in our lovely little bit of Tuscany, on the edge of Chianti, we are safely tucked away in our country home. This foto was taken as the sun was rising on the opposite side of the house. We have had two weeks of glorious weather, so much so that I have actually got a bit sunburnt! Spring plants and trees are changing daily and we now make a point of walking the boundaries in the early mornings, to marvel at how life in the wild still goes on unhindered by any viruses. Young fruit trees, fig, mulberry and pomegranate are in blossom, as are numerous shrubs that remain nameless due to my lack of knowledge.
Slopes of wild flowers and fungi, our English Climbing Rose looks very healthy and the bees are going into overdrive. Yesterday, we enjoyed an aperitivo before lunch and watched the dance of the Swallow Tail Butterflies swirling around the Lilac Tree. So, the best thing I can do is send you some Foto’s to remind you that if you have not yet cancelled your holiday in Tuscany, do consider postponing instead.
We are very fortunate to be living in a beautiful converted former Monastery Farmhouse. It is quirky, yet comfortable. Our landlord had an artist come in before we moved here to paint this gorgeous mural on the sitting room wall. So in the picture, you can see the view from my armchair, which we can enjoy no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Preparations for our rock concert on June 19 continues, in the hope that restrictions will have lifted sufficiently for us all to get together again. Stefano, my lead guitarist, has approved the repertoire, so we will have eighteen great rock songs for you.
Well, here we are, Sunday morning and we have not gone out for our usual coffee. By some stroke of luck I bought a proper Italian Espresso machine a few months ago! At 8.30, after home made espresso, my man and I strolled around our country garden and felt invigorated.
The sun is shining and spring is leaping forth as if nothing is happening in the country or indeed the world around us. I weeded a couple of pots and my man put yesterday’s washing outside in the sunshine. If one has to be in Lock-down, I can’t think of a better place to be.
Anyway, we are still making plans for our 10th annual Rock Concert on 19th June in our lovely Tuscan garden. It’s important to have things to look forward to and I have a gut feeling that June will be a good month. After all I was named after the month having been born on 23rd! So far, June has never let me down!
Well it can take one’s breath away and I’m talking about the stunning view from our lovely home, which we see every morning in different colours. This picture was yesterday morning as the sun was rising and encouraging the mist to form in the valleys below us. We have had a lot of cold damp weather and this combined with sunshine, is the time of year to see fabulous misty sculptures, ‘lakes’ and hilltops resembling ‘islands’ cut off by the mist.
And yes, today Sunday, is yet another beautiful day in Tuscany. It’s cold but the air is fresh and a little damp, which accentuates the gorgeous winter smells of the countryside around us. Blossom is now everywhere, various fruit trees, hawthorn and the tree in the picture, please remind me of it’s name, in the piazza. Our local village of Fiano was it’s usual self. Everyone still smiley if keeping a respectful distance apart and, of course, doing jerky movements that should have ended in hugs or handshakes, but didn’t for the obvious reasons. This last week was a little strange without the sound of children laughing and squealing in the village playground. We met young Giacomo, who is about eleven or twelve, maybe thirteen, kicking a lonely football around the village. He’s the lovely boy who found my stolen purse a couple of years ago after we went to the theatre. Ah, and our local ceramic workshop and gallery, Ceramiche D’arte Carbini, is open today, so that’s another good thing! I always wave to Gabriella who today was hidden behind a massive vase she was painting! Do call in if you are passing through.
I have worked hard at finding some good news for you as the papers are dominated by the virus. Firstly, I see our very good friend from Tavernelle, the modern artist Patrizio Landolfi is exhibiting in Florence. He painted this beautiful David Bowie picture, which I would love to own but is too big for my limited wall space. You will find more of his paintings hanging on the walls at Osteria la Gramola in Tavernelle. I love his work.
I have also found a promotion for Italian Cheeses. I absolutely adore Italian cheese, from the squidgy buffala mozzarella to the mature pecorino. I confess to have stocked up a little as cheese will keep us going indefinitely, come what may!
Well, must start thinking about Sunday lunch. We are well stocked with food, no evidence of shortages here in Tuscany. Ah, I think I’ll do Ceci Pancakes stuffed with spinach and feta, that’s a firm favourite. I must confess that it’s all very easy, as I buy the ready made Torta di Ceci at the Coop. Judy Witts Fancini, our local celebrity cook told me how to make my own, and that’s also easy. One cup of ceci flour to an equal amount of water, whisk and fry like normal pancakes. (Ceci translates to chick Peas) But I have a stock of the Coop ones, so today…….sorry Judy. You should look the lovely Judy up, she’s got a fabulous cook book of Tuscan favourites. 
Meanwhile, the Italian Government are up to their usual wittering about leadership, the original coalition fell apart and the current arrangement is not working either. Reading the newspaper, I came across this brilliant photo taken in 1953. It is the mayor of Florence giving a speech and just look at the faces on the guys surrounding him! You could say ‘nothing has changed’, everyone is seriously bored listening to all the moaning and groaning.
But enough of that. It’s the 1st March, hurrah, and the month for celebrating Tartufu (truffles). There will be Festas all over the place including our local town of Certaldo, Volterra and Florence. If you have not been to Volterra, you really should. It’s about an hour from us and is a beautiful ancient city with a great history. You could combine the visit with the Tartufo celebrations. Yesterday, we went to our local restaurant C’era una Volta where my man enjoyed a delicious pasta dish with Tartufo Marzolo (March Truffles) grated over the top. Yummy. Sometime this week we will probably head over to Tavernelle and Osteria La Gramola, where they do wonderful creative dishes with seasonal produce, like the Tartufo. I’ll let you know.
Back in our lovely winter garden the daffodils are coming out. I took this foto this morning as it looked a little lonely on it’s own. We will not be uncovering the rest of the plants until 1st April; we look forward to that. The other day, we were visited by a big male fox and he may have gone off with one of our resident wild pheasant hens, as Phil the Cock Pheasant has been making a lot of noise of late. I saw the naughty fox with a large bird in his mouth being chased by Phil, it may have been a pigeon but probably not. Whats happening in your garden?
Wednesday 12 February. I would never have guessed that a beautiful fallen bloom, from an early flowering shrub, could have given me such a lift. It wasn’t just the beauty of the thing but how I received it that made all the difference. I have had three weeks of feeling pretty run-down after a minor operation, due to my pathetic immune system. I went to Fiano this morning for my usual espresso, newpapers and chat; then Roberto our local sculpture walked in and presented me with the bloom! Bless his lovely kind heart, the site of it in the palm of my hand sent a wave of sheer joy through my still fragile system! I knew there and then that my head was sufficiantly clear to start writing again! Thank you dear Roberto. (someone, please let me know what the flower is; thank you x)
Thursday 13 February. Well, its the next day and I’m still feeling in a good mood. I decided that I would scour the papers for some good news to post and, yes you guessed it, nothing. But then I saw a big red heart and an advertisement for San Valentino in Florence. Yes! ‘All you need is love, da da da da da’ Just when you think things could not get more depressing, up pops San Valentino! Hurrah.
celebrating with your amore. But what’s this? Somewhere called the Bristol Winter Gardens (yes Bristol) in Florence! Sounds like a great place to eat, you only have to look at the dish in the foto. Mmmmm. 
Anyway, here we are back in our little bit of Chianti. On the Friday evening we went straight to C’era Una Volta ristorante for supper and downed a whole bottle of Chianti wine in no time.
Meanwhile, just down the road, Osteria Casa Chianti has turned their upstairs room into a gorgeous candlelit venue for lovers. ‘Cena Romantica di Candela.’ So, if you want to impress your amore, go there on a Friday evening and enjoy. We can certainly recommend the Osteria for a great dining experience in or out of the candlelit room; great wines and local ingredients. 
Now what is happening with the music scene? I hear you ask. Well I’ll go and take a look; don’t go away! Ah, sorry, it’s January and no well known bands or performers are here as far as I can tell. But if you fancy some Italian talent, how about Ferdinando Romano, Sabina Sciubba, Massimo Giuti, Franco D’Andrea or a band called Handshake? But who’s this? He calls himself The leading Guy, a bit of a mystery this one so let’s investigate. Mmmm, quite nice looking 33 year old singer songwriter and his videos can be found on You Tube. Foto from facebook He plays guitar and sings his own music, quite good, take a look. You could also go to see him this month and book tickets at 
And finally, I have found you a January hunk of the month all wrapped up in a warm junky sweater, which we all need right now, the warm sweater that is!
Now, this is a great time of year for getting out and about, particularly visiting museums and art galleries. There are less tourists about, so we can enjoy a rather more pleasant experience, particularly in Florence. Il Museo Galileo, which is dedicated to the great man, is an amazing place for children and adults alike. Fantastic collections of antique scientific instruments and some great hands on experiences for those budding scientists or physicists. I love this sort of stuff. And, it’s only a short walking distance from the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio, beside the River Arno! It’s also a good excuse for going to Florence for lunch! Lets go together! 
In the evenings we are currently tucked in with the log fire and the DVD player. We have been wading through the whole of The Sweeny series from the 1970’s. A reader recently asked me what did I watch on TV? I rarely watch TV here in Italy, however, I love the TV series Don Matteo; it’s about the only thing that will encourage me to switch the television on! Terence Hill plays the local priest who has a shoulder to cry on and a clever detective brain for helping solve crimes. A new series has just started, hurrah! I also want to mention that Terence has made a new film in memory of his side-kick actor Bud Spencer. It is called ‘Il Mio nome e Thomas’ (My Name is Thomas) and was shown on Rai 1 television on New Year’s Eve. I am checking out the availibility of streaming or dvd purchase. I’ll let you know. Can’t believe that Terence is 80 now! And, he is Italian, so I have nominated him Senior Hunk of the Month! Foto Wikipedia
Yesterday was a festa because of Befana, the friendly witch who arrives to check on the childrens’ behavour over the festive period. If they have been good they get a present, if not a lump of coal. I can’t honestly say that I have ever seen a child holding a lump of coal or sporting black hands in evidence of being naughty. Befana also celebrates the end of the festive period, so life can return to normal! Phew.
Well, in many ways it’s good to return to work and to see all the shops and restaurants opening normally. This week we celebrate men’s fashion with Pitti uomo and you will see some amazing sites in Florence from today through to Friday. All the male fashionisti are strutting around the streets, trying to outdo each other. But oh, they have such style. Only in italy! Of course the fashion shops are open now too, so we have to go!
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