Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
Yes, it’s yet another Beautiful Day in Tuscany and I’m feeling very chipper. Last thursday I finally returned to my lovely estetista Irene in Certaldo, for a manicure and pedicure. Now in normal times this would not be something to post that was really newsworthy, but when I look at my feet now, it’s like a gift from heaven! For me beautiful hands, feet and hair are so very important. What with my being famous in Fiano, I have to look my best! It’s also to do with that ‘feel good’ factor, which is so important in all our lives. What do you think? Things remain strict here in Italy, you know, masks, hand gels and distancing wherever you go, but this gives me much more confidence about going to these places.
Now whilst this is not strickly about Tuscany, you will probably know that Italians love music and in particular Rock Music. I live in the music world here and many friends are mourning the passing of Peter Green at the young age of seventy-four. He was considered to be one of the UK’s greatest guitarists and was a co-founder of Fleetwood Mac.
On a happier note the world is celebrating the 77th birthday of Mick Jagger, hugely popular with Italians and who always includes Florence or Lucca on the Rolling Stone’s European tours. More are planned for 2021; Rock On that man! The brilliant drawings included for both these guys were done by UK artist Gary Wing, whom I follow on Linked-in. I also own an original of his, not a musician, but my lovely cat Farty Barty who went up to the cat concert in the sky three years ago. Bless him.
Meanwhile, back here in this beautiful part of Tuscany, we are not far from Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a favourtite haunt of our son-in-law who is a keen golfer. They have opened their new Country Club House and restuarants that look very inviting. I am reliably informed that for people staying there, there are a few things not quite ready yet like the swimming pool and spa centre. However, the re-opening will be welcomed by those who enjoy luxurious facilities and a 27 hole golf course in the most breathtaking Tuscan setting. Website
And, what else? Oh yes, on the subject of travelling, I hope you have a passport, because I don’t! If I have to be marooned anywhere, it would be here in Tuscany of course. This is fortunate because, having applied for a new passport last April and being told it was on the way at the end of that month, it never arrived! You may already know that due to the Covid thing, there is a backlog of thousands of UK passports. I only found out a couple of weeks that the secure delivery service given the task of bringing UK passports to Euopean residents, returned a whole batch of passports to London! Meanwhile, Easyjet, in their effort to reward frequent flyers, like my man, made him a member of their exclusive Flight Club. Unfortunately, they stupidly registered me as the member and not him. So when I rang to change a flight free of charge, which is one of the benefits, they said no, we would have to pay £60! So here we are, me with no passport and my man without a decent airline. But we don’t care about that, life eeez good, life eeez now! Here is a picture of my man gazing at the Tuscan countryside and dreaming of returning to the UK, I don’t think!
Well, enough of that. Time to get this blog off to you and get back to the day job. Do drop me a line, I love to hear from my readers, or visit my website at My site
Have a great week.
Salute June x
Yes, I’m back and what a pleasure it is to be writing again after all the flus and viruses of last year. As I sit in my studio, the sun is pouring through the window, brightening up the day with all the promises the New Year will bring! But before we move on into 2019 properly, I would like to thank the lovely family at La Dispensa in Fiano, Fabbio, Sandra and Rossella, for providing that lovely warm atmosphere where we can enjoy our morning coffee and read the papers every day. In the picture, beautiful Rossella stands next to the hand-made designer Christmas Tree on which we happily hung our names like all the other customers.
So what is happening now? I hear you ask. Well down in Florence it’s the time of year for the male fashionistas to be strutting their stuff. Yes, it is the annual Pitti Uomo, when mens’ fashions are celebrated and anyone who is anybody will be proudly walking the streets hoping to be photographed. Yesterday was the last day and we went into the city for Lunch. We did not strut, but there were many that were. This foto is obviously not in Florence, but purely on the basis that they are real men & gorgeous fashion models, I shall nominate them as joint Hunks of the Month for January!
Now lunch was a bit special, because our beautiful daughter the editor of Envy Italy magazine took us to lunch at the iconic restaurant, Sabatini Firenze, which is under new management. The restaurant is about to undergo some modernisation, but limited by the fact that it is a historic building and its interiors are to be retained for posterity. It has a fascinating long history and just about every famous person has dined there from Frank Sinatra to J.F.Kennedy. A new website will be launched shortly and an exciting future awaits the new owners and staff. We enjoyed a very artistic tasting menu and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Sharon. 
Meanwhile, back in our local town of Certaldo, I finally got around to framing some pictures as a little New year treat. I just love artisan framers, the smell and the atmosphere just sends me into a heavenly bubble. Bologni Arreda, another well-established family business, are framers to the world. Eighty percent of their frames are shipped overseas. It’s so good to find a successful business in our own back yard. Here is a framed picture of Farty Barty my former writing buddy, who went up to cat heaven a couple of years ago, drawn in coloured crayons by my talented sister-in-law Jane. 
Back in our lovely, if rather overgrown winter garden, a stroll around revealed all sorts of colourful wild flowers and weeds. Also, what with all the damp morning mists, some fascinating fungi. It’s really cold at the moment, so gardening may have to wait a little longer. My man and I would quite like to start a raised vegetable garden, but that’s another project for another time. I would love to hear from you if you already have one!
Oh yes, lest we forget, Italy and Tuscany in particular, is also celebrating the 500th anniversary of Leonardo di Vinci’s death. So 2019 is going to be teeming with tourists visiting all the exhibitions and celebrations. Leonardo of course, was born near Florence at Vinci, just north-west of the city. We visited some years ago, a lovely place. So if you are fascinated by this historic genius, get booking your hotels ASAP.
And what of the Music Scene? You ask. Well, as you know rock music is my main passion and from that point of view I can tell you that a lot is happening. You may be interested to know that I follow D’Alessandro & Gallo’s site which is smack up to the minute with touring bands and performers. In March we will see Tears for Fears, Mark Knopler, Elton John and many more. The Lucca Summer Festival and Firenze Rocks in June/July have line-ups to die for. And, of course, my own band will be playing on 21st June near Certaldo! Watch this space. 
My man and I live in the Chianti Hills above Certaldo and our beautiful daughter and grandchildren are only thirty-five minutes away. We always jump to attention when we are invited to lunch, what with my own and our daughter’s hectic lifestyles these are very important get togethers. We also get to see Monty our grand dog, a beautiful Maremma we think, but anyway he’s adorable.
Long family lunches are traditional here in italy and we are more than happy to embrace the idea. My man was presented with his all time favourite desert, strawberry Pavlova, a belated father’s day treat!
In Pistoia the three-day blues festival started 13th July and included Graham Nash, James Blunt, Steve Hackett, ZZ Top and Crosby Stills & Nash. Go to 
In Lucca the Summer Festival continues up to 26th July and includes Ringo Starr, Alice Cooper, Jonny Depp, Roger Waters, Lenny Kravitz (look him up he’s brilliant) James Taylor, King Crimson, Nick Cave and loads more. 
Ok, and continuing for the moment on the same subject, I am pleased to tell you that I am learning to play the acoustic guitar. About time, I hear you say, and yes I know but I have been so busy writing books and stuff over the last few years, but I am so in love with my new Fender I can’t keep away from it!
Well, that’s enough of my music indulgences, what is happening in our local town of Certaldo you ask? Oh, it’s the amazing Mercantia of course, which every year attracts musicians, dancers, acrobats, theatricals and produce from Tuscany, you have to see it to believe it. The Historical Centre, Certaldo Alto, is the place to be as it provides the most stunning backdrop for all these fabulous goings on. The festivities finish today, but there’s always next year! Diary date for 2019! Go to 
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