Happy New year & Buon Anno to All my lovely followers around the World,
‘I’m back, to let you know that I can really shake them down.’ Yes, I know, ancient song lyrics again!
As I write my first blog of 2020, I can see the sun rising and trying to break through the heavy mist, which left everything dripping wet overnight. The valley below us looks like a lake with little Islands dotted about! This is quite normal in January and when the sun does break through it will be another beautiful day in Tuscany.
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! Museo Galileo
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!
Well, enough for now, places to go and people to see.
May you all have a very good working week and belated if heartfelt wishes for a Fantastic 2020.
Salute June x
Visit my website at My site or drop me a line at june.finnigan@virgin.net
Sunshine, smiling happy locals in Fiano and the smell of cut grass. Yes, the joys of Spring and the first of April, what a wonderful morning to start the day here in our little bit of Chianti. Even the Poison Dwarf stopped me to wish me a ‘buona giornata’; she usually glares at me!
And, in the garden, what a wonderful weekend! All the wintering pots came out of the cantina. They needed some TLC and thankfully we only lost two plants. The sun was hot yesterday, so much so that I eventually gave in and wore a hat as I tidied and pruned all the plants on the garden table. Still lots to do and we will be down to the market in Certaldo next Saturday to buy more plants. Really looking forward to that!
Meanwhile, back at La Dispensa, our local shop and bar in Fiano, I found a newspaper article about a female politician who has given up politics in favour of being an entertainer. Yes, I know. Well, I think the lovely Nunzia De Girolamo does have a certain something, but I’m not too sure about the outfit. The former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has taken to the stage. She is a forty-three year old lawyer, but it just goes to show that ‘you can do anything, if you want to’! So, perhaps Theresa May should think about this as a new career. Theresa, if you are reading this and would like an introduction to Nunzia, do let me know. PS Song lyrics above from Thin Lizzy’s ‘Do anything you want to,’ which I will be performing at my next concert in June. Theresa, if you would like an invite email me at june.finnigan@virgin.net
Now here’s something to make you smile. An Italian handbag so beautiful it is being promoted by the stunning Penelope Cruz. Yet another excuse to visit 
You may have come across his ongoing TV series Don Matteo, where he plays a priest, who is friends with the hapless Carabiniere, in a remote Italian hill town. He goes about cycling madly from a. to b. on his bicycle, cassock flying and black beret hairgripped on, solving crimes and rescuing the helpless. I love the series, you can get it on DVD or stream it! 
Junefinnigan's Weblog 