Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the world,
We have just enjoyed our second week of partial unlockdown. This partial lifting has meant more people returning to work and a few more shops opening. However, for my man and I nothing has really changed. We continue to work from home, because we can and because there are no flights out of Italy to London. Not that we would want to go anyway, we are amongst the lucky one’s who live in a lovely converted Monastery Farmhouse surrounded by the glorious Chianti Hills. As long as the internet holds out, no worries!
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!
Anyway, my highlight of the morning was walking into La Dispensa to find the coffee bar serving coffee and pastries! Only take away ones mind, but this is progress. I bought my man a Frutta di Bosco pastry, that’s fruits of the forest to you and me, knowing he would be really chuffed. At the moment, he stays at home and I go out, so if I can present him with a delicious pastry when I return, it’s very pleasing for me too!
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! website/sale
Sandra my lovely hairdresser at La Parrucchiera, Via Fabiani 1/D, Certaldo Tel 0039 3341217437
And what else? Well, what can I say. Here we are actually enjoying lockdown. It has been a period of reflection and like many others, may change the way we do things in the future. Relaxation outside in our garden before lunch and supper has become the norm. Whilst there is a little more traffic on ‘our’ track and the squeaky tractors are busy going up and down between the vines until dusk, these things have not spoilt our chilling out times. No, for us, Tuscany is the place to be and in particular, in these dolce colline (sweet hills).
Stop Press – Sandra, my hairdresser just sent me a message; she is open next week and I have an appointment! Addio grey hair! Thank you Lord!
Do drop me a line, I love to hear from my readers. june.finnigan@virgin.net
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Salute June x
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