Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers
Firstly, a big thank you for all those concerned well wishers. We have only had a couple of minor earth quakes in our area and all is fine here; no damage at all.
Florence then and now. La Repubblica.
Florence – It is hard to imagine that exactly fifty years ago, Florence was under very deep water after the River Arno burst its banks. 1966 was a terrible year for the historic and beautiful city. There has been much to say in the newspapers and there is still real concern that the defences are not good enough. Only a few months ago, a riverside road collapsed, along with a row of parked cars. An enormous amount of money is needed to further improve things and what with the financial crisis, this is now getting very serious indeed.
Mappa Sismica – Seismic Map. La Reppublica
I read an article in the newspaper this morning, which really shows the country’s seismic risk areas. If it was not so serious, I would have laughed at the little men in black hats on the map, indicating the areas controlled by the Mafia who have been responsible for the building and rebuilding of properties, and blamed for the inferior quality of materials and design. I must add, that our little area of Tuscany, is outside the worst danger zone and hope it will not stop you lovely people from visiting next season.
King Crimson, La Repubblica
But to brighter things. Thank you to our good friend Flavio who asked me if I knew that The Cure was currently touring. I did not know, but it was too late to get tickets anyway. But I did know that King Crimson were celebrating fifty years in rock with a celebration tour here. What’s this, you don’t remember them? O Dio! They were hugely popular between 1969 and 1974, when their progressive rock music stretched across to Jazz and classical. Robert Tripp, the brilliant lead guitarist, took the band through many changes of members and styles, after reaching number 5 in the UK album charts in 1969. In 2015 the band, with its unusual front of three drummers and four guitarists, had a very successful tour and their concert in Toronto ‘Live at The Orpheum’ was recorded and released as an album. I love their track ‘Starless’ a lengthy piece and seriously clever, which will give you goose-bumps. King Crimson – Starless https://youtu.be/FhKJgqxNDD8 via @YouTube
Tuscan cheeses at La Dispensa in Fiano.
Foto J Finnigan
Anyway, that’s got my rock thing out-of-the-way, so back to Fiano and morning coffee. Today, Sunday, La Dispensa was very busy with locals. It’s hard to believe that the place didn’t exist three months ago! The Italians are very quick to turn a place into a home from home, and so we are able to enjoy coffee and catch up on the newspapers in good company. La Dispensa also has a lovely range of cheeses, which along with local wines, is my biggest downfall, so I had to buy some yet again. Otherwise we eat very sensibly!
Pasta and white truffles
photo J Finnigan
Meanwhile the olives have been mostly harvested now and the truffle hunters are out an about seeking that illusive Tartufo Bianco (White Truffle). The best way to enjoy them is thinly sliced, using a truffle slicer, over buttered tagliatelle. Not spoiled by adding them to a creamy sauce, as a certain local restuarent did the other day and my man had to send the dish back!
Finally, I’m itching to tell you that I have finished the first draft of ‘The Italian Connection.’ However, having read it and edited, I found myself launching into more chapters as my imagination suddenly took off again! So, another couple of weeks or so and I’ll be satisfied; I hope!
Well, that’s enough for now. My man is taking me up to C’era una Volta in Lucardo for lunch, where Paolo is currently serving up a delicious leek and potato soup, and he has the latest Tartufo Bianco on the menu. Mmmmm.
Have a great week and do drop me a line. I love to hear from you!
Salute June x
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