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Bouncing into 2014 in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2014| 2 Comments »

Buon Anno and welcome to all my Loyal and New Followers

I love the start of a New Year.  I know, many will say that starting a New Year is purely a calendar thing, but I disagree.  I always feel that I am bouncing into an exciting new era, with good things just waiting to happen.

Father Christmas unconcious on New Years Day Photo P Finnigan

Father Christmas unconscious on New Years Day
Photo P Finnigan

Now, before we leave the Festive season completely behind us, I must tell you about the amazing spectacle that greeted us in Montespertoli on New Years day.  No one seemed to have noticed that on the roof of the Bar in the main piazza, Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) was lying on his back seemingly unconscious, having stayed on for the New Years Eve festivities!  This was very disturbing and we felt it necessary to call for help as he looked horribly lifeless.  Finally he was helped down, and despite being embarrassed and deflated, he was pointed north and  his stopper pulled out!

In our family we have celebrated three birthdays.  Our genero (son-in-law) on 31st December, our granddaughter on 5th January and my man on 10th January.   My man arrived back after a few working days in London on his birthday. I had laid a log fire, put some nice wrapped presents on the coffee table and some Prosecco in the fridge.   Gradually that handsome smile returned to his face despite the fact that A.  He was not happy to have reached such a great age.  B.  He was annoyed with the weight he had put on over Christmas and C.  He had had a pretty frustrating journey on the train!

Farty Barty Enjoys the New year Sunshine Photo J Finnigan

Farty Barty Enjoys the New year Sunshine
Photo J Finnigan

Today is Sunday and the weather is lovely.  Warm sun and blossom on the cherry trees.  We are half way through January and are now cautiously optimistic about  escaping a hard cold winter.  Farty Barty the cat is very happy, and obviously has a girlie on the go.  Our grandson is just a week away from going to Blundells School in Somerset, England for a two-day sports scholarship exam and I have completed chapter five of my novel ‘The Bolivian Connection.’

Florentine Iris in the garden Photo P Finnigan

Florentine Iris in the garden
Photo P Finnigan

My man is now grinning up from the garden as I gaze down from the studio window, and he tells me he has taken some nice photos.  Would you believe it, a beautiful Florentine Iris is in flower and so I have attached a picture.  The sun is now dipping towards the west and is hidden by woodland, however, the long shadows are creating the most beautiful three-dimensional vistas.  Ah, life is good…..

The idol Silvio (Jesu) Berlusconi Photo sdpf

The idol Silvio Berlusconi
Photo Doug Porter, San Diego Free Press

And finally, a quick mention about our idol, Silvio Berlusconi.    I see that Wikipedia has updated SB’s page and now reads ‘SB is an Italian politician (really?), entrepreneur (yes), media tycoon (yes), frequent criminal defendant ( not in his view), and convicted tax evader (wrongly he says) who has served three times as Prime Minister (yes sort of).  it is important to remember that he is considered a hero by many, and idolized by your right-winger as a man to look up to.  If one ignores that he is virtually challenged, possibly.  Opposite is a picture of how some people see him through rose-coloured spectacles!

Have a wonderful week, do drop me a line and see you next weekend.

Amore June x

PS  Check out my book ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.firstchapters.net, listed under thrillers, and download immediately at a big discounted price!  Buy the paperback on http://www.Amazon.co.uk or .eu or .com.  If you would like a personal message and autograph on a pretty sticker to go in your book, send your postal address to june.finnigan@virgin.net  Enjoy!

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Cracking on with ‘The Bolivian Connection’ in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 4, 2014| 2 Comments »

Ciao Regazzi

Me at a book signing before Christmas Photo P Finnigan

Me at a book signing
Photo P Finnigan

Yes, the much-needed discipline has kicked in and I am cracking on with my novel ‘The Bolivian Connection’.  Joanna Wilde, my heroine, has already arrived in La Paz for the reading of her late father’s will and is anticipating a dangerous and nerve-racking few days.  If you have read ‘My Father, The Assassin’ you will know that her father George Worme, was a pretty evil character and made his money by assassination and other dastardly means.  From my point of view, it is good to be back into the world of fiction because I am a lot safer there.  In the real world, I buy presents that are mostly unsuitable, drop things and smash them, drink too much wine, eat too much cheese & chocolate and suffer from short-term memory loss.

Tomorrow is our granddaughter’s ninth birthday and we have just met with her and our daughter for the handover of more gifts.  I have been careful not to buy anything for her to wear, or get ripped off by local shopkeepers who wrap presents up for me and then tell me  I misunderstood, and that the price was double that which I’m sure I heard correctly!  My man says that I have been going through a ‘definitive challenging period’ and it would be better if I get all the fiction out of my head and into type!  My daughter has since telephoned to say that she has changed the lovely glittery clothes I purchased for our granddaughter’s Christmas present in Bennetons,  for some jeans and a sweatshirt.  So all is well there at least! They are off ice skating tomorrow in Siena.

Now I hope you will forgive me, but I really must concentrate on the novel this weekend, as I have an end of March deadline for the first completed draft.  I will be sending out blogs each week, however, they may or may not include updates on Silvio B as this requires research.

So, with your permission I must rescue Joanna, who has just sat down in a cafe bar in La Paz and is about to receive a secret message via the waiter.

Salute June xx

Happy New Year!

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A Big Discount when you download my Book!

Posted in Books, tagged , , , , , , on December 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Merry Christmas x

Only at www.firstchapters.net 

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Winding Down, and Winding Up for the Festive Season, in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 16, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Well, from a business point of view we are tying up the loose ends, meeting with valuable associates and contacts for a glass or two,  readying ourselves for a good 2014 and generally winding down.  From a personal point of view, we are winding up for the Festive Season and here in Tuscany a very good time will shortly be had by one and all.

Last Wednesday I spotted a lonely little Christmas tree in the Coop that needed a good home, so as one does, I carefully popped it in the car and brought it home.  For years we have had gigantic trees, often as tall as fifteen feet high, but this was when we had properties of equal size.  We once lived in a converted barn that had an entrance hall about twenty feet high and I bought a tree to fit it.  Unfortunately, I got to the top of the ladder with the fairy and froze, having completely forgotten that I had no head for heights!  My man was fortunately in the house and eventually rescued me.  He also once rescued me in the pacific Ocean when I was snorkeling over a coral reef.  I suddenly found myself floating over a bottomless watery canyon and panicked!  I have to say, my man is my eternal saviour, and it’s not just his commando training, it’s also his amazing stamina when it comes to living with an eccentric writer for donkey’s years!

Back in our local village of Fiano, I spotted a notice about the Christmas Carol Service on 22 December pinned to the front of Laura’s counter and my man has agreed to go.  This will be the first time that we have done this in Tuscany and whilst we are not religious,  I do miss singing carols.  I also happen to know all the words, however, only in English so I hope that our lovely locals will not mind too much as I am their local ‘famous’ writer.  This Friday we will be going into Florence for some festive cheer, lunch and maybe some shopping.  I have pretty much finished the present shopping and got most of it locally.  I do like to support the local shops as, unlike the UK, the huge department stores have not yet taken over the high streets.  It is probably only a matter of time, but for now we can enjoy life the way it used to be in England thirty years ago.

Taglierino del Tartufo

Taglierini del Tartufo Bianco

Before we head into the Festive Gastro season, just a mention that Tartufo Bianco (white truffles) is still being served at ‘C’era una Volta’ our  local ristorante in Lucardo.  For how much longer it’s hard to tell, but I have added a photo to make your mouth water!

Well, I am afraid I must cut things a little short this time as it is already Monday and I have to clear my desk before we can relax for the festive season.  I’ll update you on Silvio next weekend.  Before I forget, I am currently reading ‘Christmas at Carrington’s’ by my good friend Alexandra Brown. If you like romantic festive girliness, you’ll love this book and can find it on Amazon.  You will also find my own book ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan on Amazon, which is a Romantic Thriller.  If you prefer to download the E-book go to http://www.firstchapters.com where you can currently get a huge discount.

Have a very good week and I’ll see you next weekend.

Salute June x

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Buy the book or download ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan in time for Christmas

Posted in Books, tagged , , , , on December 8, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Discounted prices are available now at http://www.amazon.co.uk, http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.eu

Also, you can read the first four chapters and download at http://www.firstchapters.net

If you would like my personal message and autograph on a nice label to stick in your book, email june.finnigan@virgin.net

Happy Reading June x

Image

Book signing in Lucca,Tuscany

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Hot sun, Freezing Fog and Christmas Markets in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2013| 6 Comments »

Crumbling Cliffs left and our villa top right. Photo P Finnigan

Crumbling Cliffs left and our villa almost hidden in the trees, second from right.
Photo P Finnigan

Driving along the strada bianca this morning, the sun was a russet gold and the light fantastic.  So much so, that my man stopped the car and took some lovely photos of the of the foggy valley and inland cliffs below our villa.  I have mentioned before that we live in an area which is constantly on the move and the crumbling cliffs provide a reminder that within staggering beauty is a landslip always waiting to happen.  The cliffs are full of fossils and ancient seashells, reminding us that these Dolce Colline (sweet hills) were under water during the ice-age.   The steepest parts are largely covered in mixed woodland, so the area is teaming with wildlife.  A young roe deer crossed the track this morning at some considerable speed, so we braked and as anticipated a second one was not far behind.

The much hunted and beautiful Cinghale.

A Tuscan Cinghiale.

A couple of weeks ago our daughter was driving across country and a big old male cinghiale (wild boar) broke cover and dashed across the road.  She expected several more to follow or perhaps hunters’ dogs, but no, the frightened animal was being chased by a cock pheasant!  Don’t you just wish you had a camera at a time like this?

Back in Laura’s bar/alimentari in Fiano,  the ever popular Sig Rotund enjoys a shoulder and neck massage provided by a number of passing local ladies, whilst reading his paper.    My man has recently been acting very stiff shouldered to see if he can get the same attention, but no luck so far!  Sig Rotund has provided the Christmas Raffle this year which, unfortunately,  consists of some rather gaudy silver plate things.  The thing is, do we buy a ticket and ask to have the prize put back if we win, not buy a ticket or buy a ticket and try to lose the prize somewhere?  What do you think?  Oh, dio….  Here in Tuscany the festive season is taken very seriously and Christmas Markets are everywhere.  Germany is said to have the best European Christmas Markets and, would you believe it,  Florence is actually hosting a ‘German’ Christmas Market right now!

And now something completely different.  If you live in Italy, well certainly in Tuscany, finding an idraulica (plumber) who a) actually arrives, b) can do any plumbing job and is not restricted to one specialist area, and c) does not take all day to do a few little jobs, is almost impossible.  Well, we popped into Bar Italia in Certaldo the other day and discovered that Fabiola, who works behind the bar, is married to just the man we have been searching for!  The amazing Salvatore arrived the next day and did everything in less than three hours, then rushed off and said he would leave his bill in the bar at sometime in the future!  We now have flushing loos and taps that no longer drip, so we are all ready for the festive visitors!

OLive trees overlooking thefog filled valleys. Photo P Finnigan

Olive trees overlooking the fog filled valleys.
Photo P Finnigan

Back at the villa, despite the freezing air temperature, we have been able to sit outside in hot sunshine at around 1pm on most days this last week.  The magic thing about southern Europe is the fact that the sun, when it comes out, is still hot in winter.  So if you take your folding chair, even on a frosty day, get out of the wind and have direct sunlight on your face, you can soak up that much-needed vitamin D and enjoy a pre-lunch aperitivo at the same time!

And so to the Peter Pan of politics.  How is the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi doing?  The New York Times provided a very amusing article last week.  Quote, “SB cares about his friends as long as they do what he says.  He talks fondly about his late Mama and adores his kids, in fact he loves family so much, he has had three already!  Hang in there SB, the girlies still love you!

Well, as it’s a lovely sunny day, we are off to Montespertoli for an aperitivo in the main piazza, then a bit of lunch.

Have a great week and don’t forget to check out ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan on http://www.Amazon.co.uk (.com or .eu) or http://www.firstchapters.net for your Christmas reading and/or presents.  If you would like my autograph, I can send you a very nice sticky label to go in your book.  Email June.finnigan@virgin.net with your details.

Amore June xx

PS We have just bought a nice bunch of mistletoe, so may be a little preoccupied for a while….

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‘The Peasants are Revolting’ in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 17, 2013| 2 Comments »

Welcome to all my new and loyal followers,

Sunset over Geneva on the mans flight home. Photo P Finnigan

Sunset over Geneva on the mans flight to London.
Photo P Finnigan

At 7am sharp on Saturday, the hunters started shooting in the valley below our villa.  Fortunately, my man was traveling from London that day, because he had stayed over on Friday night with a ticket to watch rugby at Twickenham.  However, Sunday morning when he most needed a lie in, the shooting started again at the same time.  My man groaned, turned over in bed and said “The bloody peasants are revolting.”  I said, “don’t worry I have a cunning plan.”  But that’s my secret.

Farty Barty exhausted after laying the table. Photo J Finnigan

Farty Barty exhausted after laying the table.
Photo J Finnigan

Then the cat fight started, so I clambered out of bed to check on Farty Barty who had stayed out all night.  Black Cat, a big local tom, was standing on Barty’s favourite perch over the orange trees staring down into the orchard, so I opened the window clapped loudly and shouted ‘vai’.  The horrid cat looked angrily back at me and then casually climbed down and waddled off.  This then leaves you thinking, ‘Oh god I hope Barty is alright’.  Well of course he was fine and strolled in an hour later saying ‘feed me’!  Meanwhile my man is mumbling, “Are you trying to wake me up?”  Then at eight o’clock it’s the rumbling of tractor and trailer as Alessandro arrives with his team of Romanians (I think) to finish the olive picking.  So, despite it being Sunday we were off for coffee at nine!

The good news this week is that I went to Sandra’s new Hair Salon which, is very nice and girlie, with a beautiful mural of Audrey Hepburn on the wall.  I took Sandra a present and her mother & mother-in-law were there to greet the ‘famous English writer’, warmly shaking my hand and kissing my cheeks.  Sandra is quite rightly very proud of her new salon, and took two hours doing my hair instead of the rushed hour and a half at the old place.

Yesterday morning I dropped down to Certaldo, very slowly, as an old boy was driving his invalid carriage along the white line in the middle of the main road.  Now thinking about this, it’s possible that he thought there was room to pass him on either side of the road, however, I felt that the wind of my car might topple him over.    I followed him for half a kilometre with my heart in my mouth, praying that nobody overtake me and not see him.  So I put my hazards on.  Then a truck came round the bend towards us and the old boy casually swerved to the right, then returned to his central position immediately afterwards!

Paintings on wood from the Doggy Charity sale only 5 Euros each! Photo P Finnigan

Paintings on wood from the Doggy Charity sale only 5 Euros each!
Photo P Finnigan

There is always a fruit, veg and plant market on Saturdays in Certaldo, however, this time there were around fifty stalls selling home-made chocolates!  Dear god, how can one possibly eat sensibly in this sweet toothed country!  I was also really pleased to see a Doggy Charity in the community hall,  where I bought two wood paintings and a tray.  My sister-in-law would have loved it there, as she is brilliant at spotting good labels in jumble sales and then selling them on E-Bay.  Sadly, I rarely see any charity shops or sales in our bit of Tuscany, whereas, England is overrun with them.

I am really pleased to tell you that Laura’s Alimentari/bar in Fiano is open again.  Laura & Benedetta had both been down with the same virus, so all is back to normal.  Signor Rotund was delighted to see my man back and Italy has just beaten Fiji at Rugby, so that’s more good news.  I had a conversation with Benedetta yesterday morning and she said in English “this is your break”.  so I tried to explain that in English one normally takes a ‘break’ say mid-morning, or at least after having worked for a couple of hours and that I was taking my caffè latte before starting work.  It was then around 9am or 8am UK time.  Of course, Benedetta and her mother start at six thirty, so for her it was already mid-morning, so then the conversation got a bit confusing!  So I also explained that it was important for me to ‘Uscire’ (go out) each morning, otherwise one could go ‘stir crazy’.  Try and translate that one!  However, she understood the phrase only too well and finished the sentence for me with a big grin on her face!

Silvio & Angelino Alfano in happier times. Photo BBC News Europe

Silvio & Angelino Alfano in happier times.
Photo BBC News Europe

And so to the successful survival of our heart-throb, Silvio Berlusconi.  SB has now formerly re-launched Forza Italia.  A supporter commented, ‘We could do with at least three Silvios in government, he’s the only man capable of restoring this county’s prosperity!’.  Well, it’s hard to recall a time of prosperity over the last  twenty years, but hey ho.  Meanwhile, SB was ‘in a lot of pain’ over the break away of his former right hand man, Angelino Alfano, who has formed a new faction of dissidents.  I say, never mind SB, the girlies will still support you, anyway who wants a new leader who always looks as if he’s sucking gobstoppers!

Well, time to go and put on the lipstick and head out for lunch at ‘La Gramola’ in Tavernelle.  If anyone is interested, the food is really good and they specialise in gluten-free, which is great for me.  Visit http://www.gramola.it

Have a great week.

Amore June x

PS You can now find me and my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course on Amazon.  Enjoy!

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October into November and Lovely Balmy Weather in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 4, 2013| 4 Comments »

"Read my lips, I am not fat!"

Farty Barty – “Read my lips, I am not fat, I can still see my paws!”
Photo J Finnigan

It’s hard to believe that we are already into November, particularly as the days have been really balmy over the last week.  We are still enjoying lunches outside on the upper terrace and marvelling at the peace and quiet after the vendemia (grape harvest).  The olive picking has now really got going and it has been an unusual year with both harvests so close together.  Farty Barty, the cat, is getting far too plump as he builds his winter coat and fat layers.  In no time at all he will be off courting and running himself ragged again.  Yes, I know, at six years of age, he still has his vital bits.  The problem is, whenever we try to trap him in his cage, he  knowingly disappears off into the wild for four or five days!  Now my man feels that, at such a mature age a male’s important bits should be left well alone!

Orange harvest from the orchard. Photo P Finnigan

Orange harvest from the orchard.
Photo P Finnigan

The garden continues to amaze us with new growth on many of the flowering plants and shrubs.  The potted lemon trees are sporting autumn blossoms and the oranges from the orchard are huge and juicy.  The man is very happy, of course, because there is still plenty to do outside.  In addition to this, we are decorating the spare bedroom for our discerning friends & family that will be here before and over Christmas.  These things may not be exciting to you, however, my man and I spend a lot of hours each week doing brain work, so it is a joy to turn one’s attention to practical stuff.

Back at the Laura’s bar/alimentari in Fiano, Tuesday was a day for the locals to burst into song.  It was a case of the conversation suddenly inspiring a song (mostly Italian) and short bursts of pop, rock or ballads were sung with gusto.  I threw in a few English lyrics and it was great fun!

Giovana and Vittorio's memorial. Photo P Finnigan

Giovana and Vittorio’s memorial.
Photo P Finnigan

Friday was a festa (All Saints Day/Day of the Dead) and Halloween to you.  The churchyards are now full of fresh flowers  and we particularly like to visit Giovanna & Vittorio’s memorial in Luccardo Alto, which has hand painted likenesses on the wall.  if you have never visited an Italian churchyard, you really must.  Each dearly departed has a photograph, and at night lovely little lamps let out a warm glow.   Laura’s bar was closed that day, so we had morning coffee outside Bar Piazzetta and soaked up the glorious sunshine.  Reading the paper there, we discover that Empoli, a town about half an hour away, has a Sherlock Holmes Society.  How amazing is that?  This is an all Italian group of people who just adore S.H!

On Sunday we went to Montespertoli and, whilst enjoying our aperitivo in the Piazza, we met Rhett & Ginger, two lovely American ladies who were on holiday.  Girls, if you are reading this, we hope you enjoy my book and the rest of your holiday!  And so to Sunday lunch.

Gianluccas brings our antipasti. Photo J Finnigan

Gianluca brings our antipasti.
Photo J Finnigan

I have been meaning to introduce you to Gianluca who is a waiter at ‘C’era una Volta’ in Luccardo.  Gianluca has been a temporary member of staff for around eleven years, as he is really a perpetual student of History.  He is also very charming to girlies of all ages and speaks English, French, German and Spanish.  We are very fond of him, however, he loves to stop and chat to us at some length, despite shouts from his boss Paolo to get on with serving the customers!  You could say that he likes to perform for his favourite customers, which regularly gets him into trouble!  He is off to Cuba next week with his mates, and asked us for all the words for a joint!  Did he mean a smoke or a seedy bar?  We did our best to help.

Whilst the storms have abated, we are still seeing the after effects and a busy B road near Montespertoli has subsided.  I know I mention this quite often,

Road subsidence near Montespertoli. Photo la Republica

Road subsidence near Montespertoli.
Photo la Republica

however, you need to travel these roads regularly to appreciate the precarious state of shifting land around us.  I won’t bore you too much with stories about Italian drivers, but this morning driving along the two kilometre stretch of strada bianca from our villa to the main road, we had to break three times as to avoid oncoming vehicles cutting bends at speed, over seriously eroded surfaces!  Then we were overtaken by an elderly Signora, on a blind bend and it is a single track road!  Enough of that, but sometimes one has to rent one’s feelings!

I have just checked on the latest news for the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi.  Well, golly gosh, bunga-bunga girl Marythell Polanca has claimed that SB married his overage fiance Francesca Pascale three weeks ago, in a private chapel at his home!  Francesca is currently seeking 10 million euros damages after a TV station broadcast claimed that, according to a Bulgarian Actress, she was a lesbian!  Meanwhile, SB has managed to persuade the courts to reduce his alimony payments to his ex-wife by half.  The poor wretch is now having to manage on only 1.2 million euros a month!   So, nothing really sensational on Silvio’s front then.

Enough for now.  I really must get on with the day job and do a bit of business.  Please get in touch, and if you have read my current book, do leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.  Thank you.

Amore June x

PS You can now find me and ‘My Father, The Assassin’ on http://www.goodreads.com, http://www.firstchapters.net and of course on Amazon.  Enjoy!

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Autumn Colours and a Tea Party in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 22, 2013| 2 Comments »

Benvenuti to all my new and loyal followers

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Autumn Vines next to the Strada Bianca
Photo P Finnigan

As I prepare to send you this blog, heavy rain is hammering the windows and flood water is seeping under the kitchen door!  Farty Barty, the cat, warned me that a storm was on the way by burying his face in his cushion and refusing to go out last night.  Just after midnight the thunder started to roll, quickly changing into deafening thunderclaps directly overhead, followed by torrential rain.  Shutters banged and clattered in the easterly winds and then the electricity died.  When we have storms in Tuscany they are massive and lightning forks can take out whole trees in one mighty flash.  Flood water cascades down the hills taking surface soil and plants with it, completely changing the landscape.  You may recall that I have mentioned the shifting land, crumbling inland cliffs  and landslides. Often roads are blocked and not cleared for several days.  It is now eleven thirty in the morning and the storm continues unabated.  I dare not think about whether the strada bianca (white track) from our villa to the main road will be passable when the sky eventually clears!  Worst of all, I have had to make my own coffee this morning as I cannot get to the cafe bar in Fiano!

GiGi and her surprise birthday desert at Osteria La Sosta di Pio. Photo J Finnigan

GiGi and her surprise birthday desert at Osteria La Sosta di Pio.
Photo J Finnigan

But hey ho, let’s look back at what has been a glorious week, which included three lunches in our sunny garden, three at local restaurants and only one in our kitchen.  At the Osteria La Sosta di Pio near Barberino Val d’Elsa, my mother-in-law, known as Gi-Gi, on account of her being a Great-Grandma, was presented with a surprise birthday desert with candle and ‘Happy Birthday’ was played in English over the loud-speakers.  Her little face lit up as she remembered, once again, that it was her eighty-eighth birthday!  Every ten minutes or so, her short-term memory loss kicks in, so we had to constantly remind her what day it was.  Bless her.  In the afternoon four generations of Finnigans descended on the villa for afternoon tea and birthday cake.  GG flew back to England on Sunday with my man and may or may not remember her visit!

Meanwhile, back at our local village of Fiano, the tourists had thinned to a trickle.  The unplayed and crushed conkers in the piazza had mostly been cleared away and the horse-chestnut trees were dressed in beautiful shades of red and gold.  Offset these against a row of dark cyprus trees and a bright blue sky; very breathtaking.  As we walked to the alimentari /bar the intoxicating perfume of red wine wafted over us from a passing truck, loaded high with grape skins.  We arrived for coffee feeling very light-headed.

main via in Certaldo alto oct 2013

Certaldo Alto
Photo P Finnigan

Funiculare ride down to Certaldo Basso

View from the funiculare train down to Certaldo
Photo P Finnigan

On Saturday morning we took GG to Certaldo Alto, which is the centro storica (historical centre) of Certaldo perched high on its own steep hill.  We traveled up on the little funiculare train packed like sardines with Italians, their children, nonnas and cameras.  We visited the gallery and were delighted to meet the artist Walter Sarfatti.  His work is rather special as he produces ‘original prints’ from zinc plates by the process of etching.  No one print is exactly the same as it varies according to the colour and the density of the ink chosen by the artist.  We are now the proud owner of a small masterpiece.  You may like to visit http://www.sienaart.org/walter-sarfatti .

And so to the Italian Stallion Silvio Berlusconi.  Yes, as anticipated, he has been thrown out of political office for two years. Can he still remain ‘high profile’ during this period?  We do hope so.  Whilst his love life continues to be fraught with scuttlebutt, it is very likely.  Watch this space.

Well, I have finished this blog by hand as the storm is still raging.  I am reluctant to go on-line as I have first hand experience of a lightening bolt hitting the electricity wires at our old home and destroying the TV and my lap-top!  I may have to send this tomorrow….

Heres hoping you are having better weather.

Amore June x

PS You can now find me and my book, ‘My Father, the Assassin’, on http://www.Goodreads.com as well as http://www.firstchapters.net and of course Amazon.  Happy reading.

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Yet Another Beautiful September Week in Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 28, 2013| 2 Comments »

Welcome Ragazzi

Long September shadows Upper Terrace Photo J Finnigan

Long September shadows Upper Terrace
Photo J Finnigan

So the weekend has arrived and my man is back from three working days in London.  Generally, it takes him twenty-four hours to properly wind down again, and that I understand as I am just the same.  Have I mentioned that he is a real gentleman?  He is a natural for helping the girlies, of all ages, to rack their suitcases and make more room on the trains for passengers.  Yesterday, on leaving Pisa on the Florence train, he noticed two such victims close by in his carriage and immediately offered his services to put their rather heavy cases up on the rack.  Both were very grateful, particularly as the train was full.  Now it hadn’t occurred to him that he would be changing trains at Empoli, which is half way to Florence, and that the girlies, one very short and the other slightly built, would have to get the big cases down again at Florence!  When this dawned on him, he had already changed trains and was on his way to Certaldo, so he closed his eyes and chuckled to himself for the rest of the journey!  You’ve heard the one about the old lady who was idly passing the time of day watching the traffic go by, and then got walked across the road by a good Samaritan who thought she wanted to cross it?  Exactly…….

The first winter crocuses Photo P Finnigan

The first winter crocuses
Photo P Finnigan

Now the man was very happy to get home and unwind with an aperitivo.  However, before sitting down, he took some Photos of the lovely yellow crocuses that had popped up whilst he was away and the Blue Plumbago which is looking brighter than ever.  The Bougainvillea is now going over, but it is producing some fascinating seed pods and we think it a good idea to pot some of these and see what happens.

Blue Plumbago

Blue Plumbago

September is proving to be a good month for renewed growth in our garden, including more peppers!  The air is wonderful and the cooler days, around twenty-four degrees at midday, are right up my street.  However, there are those that hate the loss of hot summer nights and warm mornings.  For me every season is fabulous here and as for winter, I look forward to the crackling log fire and to wearing my favourite waxed jacket & Italian boots!

Buganvellia Seeds photo P Finnigan

Bougainvillea Seeds
photo P Finnigan

Back at the Alimentari/bar I met a very nice Scots couple who were here on holiday and they promised to buy my book!  Thank you Marie and Larry, I hope you are enjoying it!  This morning friends from Florence arrived in the bar and their little boy aged about five , had a broken foot in plaster.  O no, we say, how did it happen!  Apparently his Nonna (grandmother) fell from a great height and unfortunately the little lad broke her fall with his foot!  They were spoiling him with  a massive piece of pizza for breakfast to compensate and he was stuffing it in like it was his last supper!  A that age, having a Nonna fall on you does not bode well for the future and I would imagine he will be constantly checking the sky for other falling relatives!   Previously, we were chatting with Benedetta who was talking about female twins in her family.  Sometimes my brain does not work too well in Italian and I thought she was talking about the star sign Gemini!  Twins in Italian is Gemelli, and it is the same translation for the star sign Gemini.  O dio, so I thought she was saying ‘My cousin is a Gemini, do you have any in your family?’  I was just about to say yes, when my man noticed my mistake and put me right, bless him…..  Mind you, that was just a small misunderstanding on my part, I’ll tell you about some of the real biggies another time!

Silvio- feel my muscle!

Silvio ‘feel my muscle!’
Photo unknown

So what about our idol Silvio, how is he doing?  Well he and his over aged fiance, twenty-seven year old Francesca Pascale, have appeared together in an air-brushed photo shoot for ‘Vanity Fair’. (Not this photo)  She has claimed to have chased SB and that she fell in love with him when she was an under age shop girl.  SB said ‘She has brought me joy without asking for anything in return!’  What, you have to be in dreamland Silvio!  Well, we wait with bated breath to hear whether he remains in the senate (members of his party have renewed threats to resign from the government if he is stripped of his senate seat) and if he actually marries his lovely girlie.  In the meantime we wish SB buon compleanno (happy birthday) for tomorrow.

Time to go and cook a yummy lunch.

Have a great week and see you next weekend.

Salute June

PS don’t forget to check out http://www.first chapters.net for your Autumn reading.  In particular, ‘My Father, The Assassin, by J W Finnigan!

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