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Posts Tagged ‘writer’

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Yes, I’m back with a wag in my tail and feeling full of the joys of early summer in Tuscany, despite the news from Florence that the road beside the Arno, and close to the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, had collapsed.  Be careful where you park!

Farty Barty curled up at my feet under the Oak Tree. foto J Finnigan

Farty Barty curled up at my feet under the Oak Tree.
foto J Finnigan

Now, many of you have asked about Farty Barty the cat and you will be very pleased to know that he has finally settled into his and our new home.  As for ourselves, we are feeling even more content having got some of our well-travelled pictures on the walls.  The house, trees, garden and surrounding countryside are so very therapeutic and I foresee great novels being written here!

Graham Nash in Lucca, great singer and songwriter. La Nazione

Graham Nash in Lucca, great singer and songwriter.
La Nazione

Back in the world of rock music it is less than a month away from our next Rock Chick Band concert and our first rehearsal will be this coming Saturday.  There is no need to smoke and take drugs to be a rock singer; believe me, I get a high immediately I am behind that microphone!  Meanwhile, the Duran Duran tour hits Florence on 10th June and they will already be sold out.  No, I am not going, I did that twice in the ’80’s with my beautiful daughter.  However, I will be singing one of their songs at my own concert; there are just a few of DD’s that I really like and this one is called Skin Divers.  Lucca, near Pisa, is also a very popular venue for concerts and the aging rocker Graham Nash is currently here in concert.  A great song writer too and I would have loved to have been there, but time is currently of the essence.

Complimentary Moscato and rose at L’osteria Casa Chianti. foto J Finnigan.

Meanwhile, here in our little bit of Chianti, we are pleased to say that we are now returning on a regular basis to a local osteria that was taken over by new owners a few months ago.  Yesterday, Sunday, it was amazingly devoid of customers and we were told that part of the road had been closed to accommodate the annual cycle race.  So we were able to enjoy a strangely quiet lunch.  The food really is excellent here and, if you don’t mind loud theatrical serving at the table, you’ll love it.  It is the L’osteria Casa Chianti where they specialise in Tartufo (truffles) and Fungi Porcini.  We indulged in wood grilled Pecorino Cheese covered in locally sourced truffle shavings, followed by the lightest creamy Panacotta with mixed fruits.  Mmmmm.  With the desert, we were served complimentary glasses of Moscato and I was presented with a little rose bud.  Of course it was the rose that did it for me, so you won’t be surprised when I tell you that I am now hooked on the place!  Go to http://www.osteriadicasachianti.it

Silvio is honoured with a special Pizza in Napoli. La Nazione

Silvio is honoured with a special Pizza in Napoli.
La Nazione

Oh yes, I know you like to hear about our Silvio so here is a little snippet from our national paper.  Down in Napoli, Il Cavaliere, also known as Silvio Berlusconi, was spotted being presented with a Pizza made in his honour.  It was a long pizza with a ‘mare’ flavour, that is ‘flavour of the sea’.   He is hugely popular down south and it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the chair, or so they say!  I’ll keep you posted.

Well, enough of that.  Books to write, wine to drink and voice exercises to endure.  If you are passing, ignore the strange screeching, it’s just me trying to make those high notes!  And don’t forget, you are very welcome to come to my concert party on 25th June here in Tuscany, just send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net

Meanwhile, have a great week, do drop me a line and visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Read Full Post »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Well, it is Saturday morning and my man and I are off early for coffee.  We drive over newly laid strada bianca, white road, which is actually a mixture of various stones, gravel and mud and a local pheasant (no pheasant, not peasant) dashes clumsily across in front of us.  I always find them funny to watch and I say so to my man.  “Ha, you would look funny too if you were running with your arms tied to your sides!” The man of wisdom replies.  So this set the tone for the drive down to Certaldo, but the sun was shining and we were looking forward to getting a lot done in our still new garden later on.

Grilled asparagus with parmesan from recipe book.

Grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese, from recipe book.

As many of you know, Saturday morning is fruit and veg market day in Certaldo, but by the time we got there it had started raining.  So after coffee it was a case of dashing, well I don’t exactly dash, from one canvas awning to another to buy lovely asparagus, cheeses and Sicilian blood-red oranges.  Our plant lady was pleased to see me and I bought some colourful flowering plants for some of the still empty garden pots.  No, I have no idea what they are called, except some were geraniums, the others well, I’ll take some pictures next time and some of you clever plant people will no doubt tell me!

Il Bursagliere arrive in Certaldo. Photo J Finnigan

I Bersagliere arrive in Certaldo.
Photo J Finnigan

Then Sunday morning turned out much better weather wise.  Arriving in Certaldo, parking was hopeless, so my man dropped me off in Piazza Boccaccio and took the car to some remote place and walked back.  I secured our favourite table at the back of Bar Il Solferino and hogged the newspapers.  Finally, he arrived and flopped into his usual chair with his favourite pastry.  “Il Bersagliere are on the march, they were just leaving the station when I parked!”  He announced in between mouthfuls.  Now we had read about this the day before, so as soon as I heard the sound of brass instruments, I whizzed outside to take pictures.

Hunk of the Month, Band Leader Il Bursagliere. Photo J Finnigan

Hunk of the Month, Band Leader I Bersagliere.
Photo J Finnigan

Gosh, it was very impressive to see men jogging in uniform with black feathers flopping up and down on their hats and playing their instruments at the same time! These guys are famous for being a troup of Italian Army cyclists formed in 1915, and the name translates to ‘Marksmen.’ They covered horrendous mountain roads either riding or carrying their bikes during both world wars.  Well, they came to a halt outside the church and town hall.  So I took some pictures and was drawn to the band leader who stood posing in the front inviting people to photograph him.  Only in Italy would you find a military man, well band leader, with hair down to his shoulders wearing designer sunglasses and not to mention a very sexy grin.  Oops, my man may read this so I had better stop there.  Anyway, I’m sure most of you girlies will appreciate his picture and a few of you guys too!

Silvio Berlusconi. Il Nazione Sportivo.

Silvio Berlusconi.
Il Nazione Sportivo.

What else?  Ah yes, Silvio has been busy over the last couple of weeks.  Saying that he will not sell his shares in A C Milan football club to anyone who isn’t Italian, so that threw out the interest from the Far East.  He is also being likened to Donald Trump, or is that the other way round?  The New York Times has recently quoted ‘Both he and Mr. Trump were non-politicians who capitalized on their ability to attract extensive press coverage of their outsize personalities and business success (Mr. Trump through his celebrity, Mr. Berlusconi through his media empire).’  If I may say, the journalist has overlooked Silvio’s celebrity status, his media empire comes second to his own popularity in Italy.

Well, enough of that, I must get this blog off to you as it is already running late.  Do drop me a line and send your email address to june.finnigan@virgin.net if you are in Tuscany on 25th June and would like an invite to my Rock Concert.

Have a great week.

Salute June x

PS do visit my author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Read Full Post »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Pinocchio made of bread and looking decidedly morto! foto J Finnigan

Pinocchio made of bread and looking decidedly morto!
foto J Finnigan

More bread creations and artwork. Foto J Finnigan

More bread creations and artwork.
Foto J Finnigan

As most of you know, the Italians love an excuse for a Festa.  This usually means another day off work or a weekend of celebration.  Well, last weekend in Certaldo, we celebrated that great crusty all important daily food, Pane or bread to you and me.  Now, in reality, my being a little dense at times, the celebration may have been about wheat, rather than bread, but in any case there was a wonderful exhibition put on by local schoolchildren of just about anything made out of bread and wheat/corn.  I found poor Pinocchio laid out looking rather morto, but he was beautifully made, as were lots of other creations big and small.  Our granddaughter bumped into a school friend who was all dressed up like a baker.

Jeffery the newly named donkey at Villa Bacio, with our granddaughter. Foto P Finnigan

Jeffery the newly named donkey at Villa Bacio, with our granddaughter.
Foto P Finnigan

And, talking about our granddaughter, she came to stay for one night and we were really pleased to have her company.  She went for a walk with granddad and two carrots, to visit our local donkey and goat who live together at Villa Bacio.  She decided that the very friendly donkey was called Jeffery, so that’s what we will call him from now on.

Hoopoe outside our bathroom window. Foto P Finnigan

Hoopoe outside our bathroom window.
Foto P Finnigan

Earlier in the week, my man called me from the bathroom shouting “Come here quick, we’ve got a Hoopoe!”  Well, would you believe it, a young Hoopoe had fallen in love with its reflection in the window and was leaping around in ecstasy!  Now, my man also managed to film the whole thing, so I popped it on YouTube and you can watch it at https://youtu.be/8IN6i-0ME_M  It really is an amazing bit of film!  National Geographic, eat your heart out!

Oh, yes, the news from Fiano our local village is that the new owners of the alimentare/bar are about to open as is the Bar in the piazzetta.  We drove over yesterday and saw the piazza set up for the evening celebrations with tables and chairs, and were told it was all imminent!  So fingers crossed for next weekend.  Also news that the abandoned hotel and restaurant, Il Palchetto, just outside the village has new owners and will reopen in July.  So things are looking up!  We do like a bit of sophisticated dining from time to time.

Getting to the heart of Chianti Wine. Foto P.Finnigan

Getting to the heart of Chianti Wine.
Foto P.Finnigan

And finally, here is a picture of the bottom of my man’s wine glass.  Yes we love a nice glass of Chianti, and this picture says it all!

Have a great week, and do visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

Read Full Post »

Benvenuto to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Forgive the lateness of this blog, which I blame entirely on the holiday weekend and the arrival of the Sister-in-law to celebrate her birthday.  They say that pictures paint a thousand words, so to give you a taste of all our activities, I am filling this blog with fotos.

May Day celebrations in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

May Day celebrations in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

But before I launch you on a foto cruise, I will mention that Farty Barty the cat is now well and truly settled into his new home and whilst we still have pictures to hang on walls and books to unload onto shelves, we are pretty much settled in too.  And some good news is finally filtering down from our local village of Fiano in that both the Bar/Alimentare and the main bar in the piazza are re-opening soon.  This then means that we will be able to ring the changes for morning coffee, which is great.

The Family gathered on the terrazza, taken from our lofty kitchen window. Foto J Finnigan

The Family gathered on the terrazza, taken from our lofty kitchen window. Foto J Finnigan

OK, back to the weekend fun and frivolities.  We have eaten out at three different restaurants since Friday and are off to a local family one called Montalbino (no not a relative of the great detective, his name is Montalbano) for lunch today.  Now this little family osteria is hidden away in the countryside near Fiano and specialises in Fungi.  The food is really good home-cooked family fare.

User comments

The sister-in-law and niece get ready to fly!  foto J Finnigan

The sister-in law and neice disapear into the blue yonder. frto J Finnigan

The sister-in law and niece disappear into the blue yonder.
foto J Finnigan

Otherwise, we had a family lunch party on Sunday, friends for supper last night, the sister-in-law has been horse riding with her daughter and up in a hot air balloon early this morning as today is her birthday.

Next weekend will be a little calmer and I will be able to catch up on all the local stuff that I know you guys like to hear about.  Meanwhile, have a smile at the fotos and our glorious bit of Chianti.

Have a great week.

Salute June

PS Do visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

Read Full Post »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Il Liberazione Parade. foto J Finnigan

Il Liberazione Parade in Certaldo.
foto J Finnigan

Today, Monday, is a festa (holiday) in celebration of Il Liberazione, that is when the Germans surrendered at the end of the Second World War.  But we are unable to stop work due to the backlog and I really want to get this blog to you!

I could write a whole book about last week and call it ‘Moving House in Tuscany and Keeping One’s Sense of Humour’.  It would have all the ingredients including mystery, adventure, success and failure.  We have a saying here for many things and it is ‘Only in Italy.’

Only in Italy do you have to report your change of address directly to the town commune offices by appointment.  Then only in Italy, when your commune man goes on his computer will he find that your wonderful new, yet very old,  home does not exist!   So our commune man rings his colleague Uri who wants us to identify where it is on the map.  He asks if it has a big oak tree outside the main gate and is it close to a certain agriturismo property? We say yes.  OK, Uri happily tells our man that our new address was changed to something completely different five years ago!

Acacia Trees below our new garden. foto J Finnigan

Acacia Trees below our new garden.
foto J Finnigan

Acacia blossom after the rain. Foto J Finnigan

Acacia blossom after the rain. Foto J Finnigan

Now, just to add spice to this, our commune man also pointed out that I must change my UK driving licence to an Italian one.  You cannot own a car here unless you have an Italian licence.   In anticipation of being told this, I had already made an appointment at the local ACI office to get it changed this coming Tuesday and I told him so.   “Well, I will renew your Identity Card when you bring me your new driving licence.” He announced.  Only in Italy

So anyway, enough of that!  The Acacia trees are full of blossom and it has rained heavily for the last forty-eight hours watering the parched vineyards and olive groves, so the countryside smells and looks fabulous.

Farty Barty "I'm just popping back up tp the old house, see you in a few days.."

Farty Barty “I’m just popping back up to the old house, see you in a few days..”

Oh yes, I should mention that five days ago Farty Barty the cat went AWOL and almost certainly had gone back to our old house again, just up the track.  He has disappeared for that long before when the girlies were on heat, but this is different and I have found myself getting rather too stressed about it.  So this morning and for the third time since we have moved, we go back with the cat cage, but there was no sign of him.  We sadly drive home both silently thinking that it would be purrfect if he were to return to the new house of his own accord.  And would you believe it, there he was, as bold as brass, waiting on the outside doormat to be let in!!  As I write, he is curled up at my feet, so today we have a happy ending.

Have a great week and many happy endings of your own.

salute June x

PS  do visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Read Full Post »

Benvenuto to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers,

The big ancient Oak Tree garding our gate. foto J.Finnigan

The big ancient Oak Tree guarding our gate.
foto J.Finnigan

Wild life fresco on the sitting room wall. foto P Finnigan

Wild life fresco on the sitting room wall.
foto P Finnigan

Our lovely new home is called ‘Querceto’ and this is hardly surprising because it means Oak Tree.  Not only is the gate guarded by a massive oak tree, but the house itself is full of old oak beams.  Our landlord is also a bit of an artist and as soon as you walk into the sitting room you find the most beautiful fresco of the local wildlife including a Cinghiale (wild boar), deer and pheasant.  Turn around and there is a massive inglenook fireplace with Oak leaves and the house name painted over it.

The house name and oak leaves above the Inglenook. foto J Finnigan

The house name and oak leaves above the Inglenook.
foto J Finnigan

The house itself is very quirky and is divided into two apartments, so we have lots of room for friends and family to come and stay.  We took both the apartments because we want to have the place entirely to ourselves, including the gorgeous wooded garden.  I know, very indulgent indeed, but we love it.  It is built on the side of a hill and opens up inside like the Tardis!

The house from the lower terrace. foto J Finnigan

The house from the lower terrace.
foto J Finnigan

The place is also perfect for our annual rock concert garden parties and if you are in Tuscany on 25th June and would like an invite send and email to june.finnigan@virgin.net.

Now with the move out-of-the-way, we are waiting for Farty Barty the cat to settle in.  After three days he went off for four days and I found him back at the old villa!  It’s only a twenty-minute walk from here and he knows his way around pretty well.  He has been back here for two days and nights, then went out this morning into the countryside.  We wait with bated breath!

The excitement of the week was the arrival of the plumber to put our new gas cooker in.  He was very jolly and set the cooker in position, then announced that he would be back on Tuesday to link it to the gas supply!  So we are forced to go to the restaurant to eat!  There is a limit to how many tasteless microwaved jacket potatoes one can eat!  Tomorrow we are whizzing over to IKEA to get freestanding sideboards as we are not too keen on fitted kitchens.  So hopefully by next weekend we will have a working kitchen.  Mind you, it’s a good excuse for eating out, well you know what I’m like!

The lower terrace and view. foto J Finnigan

The lower terrace and view.
foto J Finnigan

Nevertheless life is blissful, despite all the boxes and dust.  Down on the lower terrace we are able to enjoy our evening aperitivi and watch the sunsets, which we could not see at the old place.  We have heard the first cuckoo and saw a hoopie in the garden today.  We even have a pond with croaking toads and the weather has been glorious.

Well, enough of that.  I’m off back to the little villa to hand over the keys, then we can really get on with our new life at ‘Querceto.’

Have a great week and I’ll bring you up to date with the local news next weekend.

Salute June x

PS Do visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

Read Full Post »

Benventi to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

The four man piano and boxes. foto J Finnigan

The four man piano and boxes.
foto J Finnigan

As I start writing this blog, I am expecting the doorbell to ring at any moment.  Giuseppe, the removals man, is coming to assess the amount of furniture and rubbish the English couple has accumulated over donkey’s years.  He will be relieved to know that we are not moving very far, but he’ll probably balk at the upright ancient iron-framed piano that we have been lugging around since we left England.  Ah, he has just telephoned as he is lost and I cannot understand everything he is saying.  He has either shot past the turning to our village or arrived in a completely different village, which I can’t recognise by the way he’s describing it!  So back to the keyboard and we wait.  In anticipation, the sitting room floor is now covered in cardboard boxes.  Hurrah, Giuseppe is here and he says he needs four men to move the piano!  But that’s OK, better than losing more friends due to slipped discs!

Gorgeous handbags on staircase. Glossy magazine.

Gorgeous handbags on staircase.
Glossy magazine.

Earlier this morning we dropped down to Certaldo and The Jam Caffe, by the station.  This was mainly because there was a big market filling the main piazza where we normally park.  Somehow, I always manage to have other committments when there’s an interesting market and, once again, could not stop to drool over the handbags, much to my man’s relief.

Oh, and last Thursday, when I was at Sandra’s having my hair colour topped up, I saw this picture in the glossy magazine and thought, ‘Wow, our new home will have a short stone staircase inside the front door, I could do something similar with my own handbags.’  I haven’t told my man yet, I’ll just spring it on him!

Catarina's big Eater Egg display in Bar Il Solferino. Foto J Finnigan

Catarina’s big Easter Egg display in Bar Il Solferino.
Foto J Finnigan

Earlier in the week in Bar Il Solferino, I was impressed with Catarina’s big Easter Egg display.  If you look closely, you will see little chickens and ducks peeking out of the straw, oh, and a coffee machine of course!  And, it is starting to feel very much like Spring and Easter time, which is all taken very seriously here in Italy.

Apple bossom and the green valleys below us. Foto J Finnigan

Apple blossom and the green valleys below us.
Foto J Finnigan

The weather too suddenly seems on the turn.  We had lunch in the garden twice this last week!  The heavenly smell of blossom is now filling the air and the valleys are all lovely and green again.  Life eeeez good, Life eeeeez now!

Well, I’m having to end this blog a bit smartish as we have a hectic afternoon!  Don’t forget, I love to hear from you, either through this Blog, my Expat Focus Column or my Author Site.

Salute June x

PS no blog next weekend due to packing, but do visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

“Why do we always talk a load of trivia, first thing in the morning, on the way to coffee?”  I am thinking aloud but my man picks up on the question.  He is the logical one in this partnership and has an answer for everything.  “Well, its obvious really.  Before we wash down a nice strong espresso, we need to get our jaws working and the brain functioning, so we can move on to the more serious and intelligent conversations later on!” He glances at me looking perfectly serious, as he is driving and needs to keep an eye out for crazy Italian drivers.  I nod and hide my snigger, as the next maniac comes around the bend towards us on the wrong side of the road, just as my man is trying to avoid a pothole!  We swerve, my man corrects the car and we carry on.  So nothing unusual this morning.  The trivia we talk about can include the state of the roads, Italian drivers, blossom appearing on the cherry trees, Italians walking their dogs or children with the little ones on the traffic side rather than on the inside, the weather and/or why the people who own the horses haven’t moved them out of their wet muddy field to higher ground for a few days!  But enough of that.  We are not really complaining, just being observant!

Hot tasty Ribollita Soup. Foto J Finnigan

Hot tasty Ribollita Soup.
Foto J Finnigan

Wood fire grilled vegetables. Foto J Finnigan

Wood fire grilled vegetables.
Foto J Finnigan

OK, so lets catch up.  The last couple of weeks has seen the return of some delicious winter warmers to the restaurant tables including Ribollita and wood fired grilled vegetables.  Ribollita is a Tuscan soup made with any vegetables, beans and importantly stale bread from the day before.  My man loves it.  For me I just adore the grilled veg, and come spring I’ll be able to order the same, but with that oozy soft cheese Burratta.  Mmmmm.

Fog filled valleys, below us, at dawn. Foto J Finnigan

Fog filled valleys, below us, at dawn.
Foto J Finnigan

Also over the last two weeks, what with the heavy rains, we have woken to see the valleys filled with fog.  The view is spectacular from here, the only downside is having to drive down into it for coffee!  But I have some good news.  The resident butcher in our local village of Fiano, which is higher up and less likely to be foggy, is rescuing the Bar/Alimentare and it will reopen at Easter!  Hurrah for the villagers and for us of course.  We do like to ring the changes and look forward to once again splitting our time between Fiano and Certaldo for morning coffee.  Also Fiano has some lovely people whom we haven’t got to see for a while.

Silvio Berlusconi's facebook picture.

Silvio Berlusconi’s Facebook picture.

So, back in Certaldo we read in L’Espresso, the Italian news magazine, that the American Ambassador has been summoned to Rome to answer reports that NSA has spied on Silvio Berlusconi and his close associates during the 2011 Euro zone crisis.  This has been revealed through certain WikiLeaks documents.  O Dio, we all say!  It seems the US was allegedly concerned with Silvio’s relationship with Vladimir Putin and that he may be profiting personally from energy deals between Italy and Russia.  Now in my view, Silvio has always had plenty of energy of his own, I mean, in 2011 he was seventy-five and also being accused of being full of zest during his Bunga Bunga parties!  But anyway, this puts our man back in the headlines, some say bad news is better than no news in the political arena.

OK, so what next?  Well, we are gearing up to move house and will be signing a new rental contract on 24th March, after which I will be able to tell exactly where we are going!  But I can tell you that it is only a short distance away and will be great for our annual rock concerts!  Watch this space…..

Well must get this blog edited then off to C’era Una Volta for more lovely winter warmer meals.

Have a great week and do drop me a line.

Salute June x

Go to http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Benvenuto to all my Lovely Loyal and new Followers

Roberto Manetti Photo P Finnigan

Roberto Manetti
Photo P Finnigan

Now, by Friday morning I had planned out all the fun things I wanted to tell you, then I bumped into Roberto Manetti, our local world-famous sculptor.  We were both in the chemist (farmacia) in Fiano and I asked him if he had a lot of work on.  “Come and see for yourself!” he whispered, only because he speaks that way after an operation.  “Come tomorrow, I’ll meet you in the Piazza and you can follow me to my studios!”  “Well,” said my man, “Thats another morning gone!”  But I was really excited as I had never had the honour of visiting his studios before, and I had heard that he was an amazing artist.  So, Saturday we were in the Piazza at ten sharp and there he was with a big smile on his face.

Roberto's fabulous studio and exhibition centre. Photo P Finnigan

Roberto’s fabulous studio and exhibition centre.
Photo P Finnigan

We followed his big car/truck to a turning down a track only five minutes away from Fiano.  We drove over a stretch of concrete and back on to a dirt track, which was lined with terracotta pots filled with blooming shrubs, and into a small carpark fenced in natural wood.  We climbed out and breathed in the welcome smell of woodland, then down a few steps into the garden of a most amazing Art Decco type property with fabulous views.  I can honestly say it took my breath away.  Roberto had designed and built it himself thirty years ago as a studio and exhibition centre.  You would never know it was there from the road above.  Yes, people came by invitation only and he explained that he would often have groups of people who not only enjoyed the exhibition, but the huge garden too.

The exhibition. Photo P Finnigan

The exhibition.
Photo P Finnigan

Couple, dog and cat at window. Photo P Finnigan

Couple, dog and cat at window.  This is three dimensional.  If you go round the back you will see the bottoms and tails of these lovely characters!
Photo P Finnigan

Firstly, we were shown where he worked and there were two statues in progress.  Then into the exhibition centre and we were overwhelmed by the wonderful original work he had completed over many years, some of which have been in exhibitions all around the world.  My heart swelled when I realised how much he loved dogs and cats, these appeared in many of his creations.   My man was snapping away with his camera as Roberto and I did the rounds and he explained the background to each one.  Do take a closer look at these pictures.  My man and I agreed that we would ask him to do a statue of our last dog Bosun, just as soon as we we had sufficient spare funds!

One of hundreds of flowering pots. Photo P Finnigan

One of hundreds of flowering pots.
Photo P Finnigan

Man reading, with dog under olive tree. Photo P Finnigan

Man reading, with dog under olive tree.
Photo P Finnigan

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he took us on a tour of the garden, through arbours and tunnels, where beautiful shrubs, protected from the wind were in full bloom.  Up to a copse of Famiglia Trees he had planted thirty years ago and were now three stories high, and to visit his two peacocks that had a pen with a natural stream running through it and a bit higher up to see two fresh water ponds, one full of gold-fish and higher still to benches overlooking the Chianti Hills.

Rooftop View of the Chianti hills. Photo P Finnigan

Rooftop View of the Chianti hills.
Photo P Finnigan

Now all this time a cold wind was howling around the place, so we could only imagine how glorious it would be in Spring and Summer.  What a privilege to be allowed to see this place and to be able to tell you all about it.

The ancient hill town of Certaldo Alto, silhoueted against the sunset. Photo J Finnigan

The ancient hill town of Certaldo Alto, silhouetted against the sunset.
Photo J Finnigan

The only other thing I must show you, which was also very beautiful and caused me to screech to a halt on my way down to Certaldo on Tuesday evening, was the first sunset for weeks and Certaldo Alto’s wonderful silhouette against that gorgeous sky.

Yes, I know, what about all those other things I was planning to share?  Well I’m afraid Roberto’s place and Certaldo Alto in the sunset, has taken all my thoughts away.  But, please come back next week and we’ll catch up on everything else that did not get a mention this time, including some good news for Fiano!

Salute June x

Visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

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Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

Here in our little bit of Chianti, in the Tuscan Hills we always start the day with a short drive to a local cafe bar for a delicious Espresso, which cannot be produced at home unless you get an industrial size machine.  Now the ones I have looked at that are supposedly any good, will take up far too much room in the kitchen.  But anyway, lets face it, making morning coffee at home only turns one into a boring house person, when you should be out meeting and greeting the locals.  Now you may remember that Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano was constantly closing, for one reason or another.  We now know that it is closed permanently.  This is very sad for the village as there is nowhere to get a cup of coffee now.

Evi behind the bar at Bar 'Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy' in Certaldo. Foto J Finnigan

Evi behind the bar at Bar ‘Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy’ in Certaldo.
Foto J Finnigan

These days you will usually find us at Bar Il Solferino in Certaldo, however, it is closed on Mondays so we have started to go to Jam Cafe next to the station, who only close on Wednesdays.  A couple of months ago I did notice a new bar, just two minutes walk from Il Solferino and thought I would try it last Tuesday, but that was their closing day!  I hope you’re keeping up!  So I went back on Wednesday and found them open!  It’s called ‘Bar Garibaldi 11 Speakeasy.’  Curious, one might say.  Well, I popped in and ordered a cafe latte which came in a huge jug of a mug, with two shots of espresso in it as I wanted it strong.  I don’t normally like big mugs and prefer a cup size, however, it was quite nice.  The decor is very pubby, rustic tables and a big sofa at the back of the room.  The local customers were youngish and arty.  So it has its attractions.  I will go back with my man on a Monday when Il Solferino is closed, or was that Wednesday?

Giorgio Armani with his models, in Milano last week. Il Nazione

Giorgio Armani with his models, in Milano last week.  Orgoglio Italiano means Italian Pride.
Il Nazione

Relaxing over the coffee last Friday, yes that’s right in Il Solferino, there was a lot of talk about Milan fashion week, which I have never been to.  But I still drool over some of the Italian designers.  Eighty something, Giorgio Armani was there with his lovely models and I could not help but notice that they all looked traditionally Italian with their beautiful shiny dark hair.  A lot of Italian women do dye their hair blond, but there is something special about that dark Mediterrainian look; don’t you think?

Roccobarocco Dress and matching handbage to die for. La Nazione.

Roccobarocco Dress and matching Handbag to die for.
La Nazione.

I have also shared a picture of this gorgeous dress and matching handbag by Roccobarocco.  Il Nazione newspaper does cover a lot of fashion news, which suits me, although it is really a national paper with news and sport.

On the subject of sport and our being a great rugby family, my man and I watched rugby, including the Six nations, all afternoon and most of the evening on Saturday.  Bad luck to Italy who lost against Scotland and Bravo to England who won against Ireland.  I have not seen the papers today (Sunday) as my man went off on the train before seven am, too early for a read.  And where did we manage to get a coffee at six thirty on a Sunday?  Well it was Jam Cafe next to the station in Certaldo.

A Mafia Museum opens in Palermo. Il Nazione

A Mafia Museum opens in Palermo.
Il Nazione

Now I will finish by mentioning that there is a new Mafia Museum opened in Palermo.  ‘What?’ I hear you say.  Well the Italians will admit to having a liking for the macabre.   You’ve only got to watch a carnival to see all the grotesque blood curdling exhibits and if you fancy a visit to a Museum of Torture, pop up to San Gimignano in the hills above Siena.  Italian parents and children seem unfazed by it all!

Oh, nearly forgot to mention that the DVD of Spectre I ordered from amazon late last year has just arrived!  Hurrah.  I’ve watched it once and will do so again this evening…..and probably tomorrow as well!  Yes, I know.

OK, time to get this blog edited and then organise some lunch.  The weather is too cold and wet to eat outside, so I think I’ll cook baked cheesy leeks and mashed potatoes, a real winter warmer.

Do have a great week and don’t forget to drop me a line or visit my author site at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

Salute June x

'My Father, The Assassin'. Book one in the series.

‘My Father, The Assassin’. Book one in the series.

'The Bolivian Connection' Book two in the series.

‘The Bolivian Connection’ Book two in the series.

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

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