A rich summer in olive country

summer is almost over and we're catching up with all of you, we miss you all!



travelling through America and crossing 2 oceans the container from Maui showed up in town! with great anticipation people are looking at the big truck...wondering



fueled by a certain dose of curiosity and some kindness a good bunch showed up to help



but opening the dam door was not an easy task, several people tried..


try again!





they all helped to unload "unreal" heavy stuff, wondering why would we bring it all the way...however next day Manish went to help to put up the podium for the summer festivity of the Madonna degli Angeli, a very "manly" thing to do here



The fire works went on for hours and even early in the morning. Poor Tashi ran in the bed for shelter from the explosions of sounds





so we decided to take some days off and go to the sea. Family and dogs all out in the boat



Manish couldn't be happier, finally someone to play with, with lovely Emilia



Back home, to the market for some good prosciutto and cheese...



...and some new tools...




this is how the kitchen looked 2 weeks ago, we dont know how we did it, but now it looks so cozy in just 5 days. we worked at it from early am till late night, needed to be ready for the 1st guest!! Renu is coming!



Renu arrived and we went all over the places, this is the Tarot Garden, the best garden I have seen in centuries!!!





and then the classic visit to Rome...secretly i prefer the olives trees and the Tarot Garden, but Rome is a must see soooooo...



we're doing all the foot work in preparation for our guests, we expect the 1st guests in october and more are booking flights! we'll need help for the olive season coming up in december, any takers?

Ciao! updates from the olive country...

Looks like it's going to be a good year for oil..



there are bigger houses: ours is the little one, can you guess?...



okay...a little help, this photo was actually taken in the winter time




our town seen from further away...



and a close up...



manish cought me in a romantic moment


your room coming along ...
kithchen ..still in the works



"Luigina" is our Mana foods. At 82,she grows the best veggies and she sells all for the same price cause it takes too much time to figure it out. Anything for 1 euro per kilo, she smiles and packs the eggs as well


the eggs makers



a little trip out of town. we discovered this emerald lake at only 20 minutes away.It's built on top of romans walls, so you jump in the water standing on a platform built 2000 years ago
, water divine









back home after the trip to the lake, we go to our version of casanova, where everything happens. Stella bar, owned and run by Stella, mother of 4 and a big smoker, here are 2 of her daughters




tired and hungry..arrived home..this is what we found on the door steps: a gift from the neibourghs


manish preparing for winter and Tashi is helping with the lizards




you can see we are preparing a "visitor portfolio" for you: this was at Assisi, breathtaking, the inside of the church is all painted by Giotto. Manish left me outside 'cause the dog couldnt come in and appeared out of the door only after more than 2 hours! i waited in the company of some good icecream.

Finally made it inside to meditate by San Francis tumb and reliquary and it was very emotional, quite a blessing to be in there. it's less than 2 hours drive, so we'll be back for more




we are doing fine, a bit lost or hanging in the empty sky, very much like this passing cloud and enjoying the journey.


still thrilled to be here yet missing all and each of you!

The Italian adventure...

Ok, so we succumbed to the idea of creating a blog... It seems the easiest way to post pics of our first month here a Castelnuovo di Farfa.
It all started like dat, at the LAX airport, Tashi and me waiting...

Then we arrived at the house, and it all felt a bit overwhelming: no work started, empty house, sort of camping...



But next day the work started, and we all felt better...




To all our future visitors, this is the status of your room. So, pace yourselves..!




But, if you were to look at the other side, this is what awaits you every morning from your window...


It has been really hot recently, and this gorgeous river, 5 minutes from the house, has been our saviour, water really cold but very revitalizing, and Tashi LOVES to go there with our car, and it shows...!!




This our small road to the house, a full golden plums tree, and notice the fields neatly tilled by my farmer in residence...


Ok, this is it for now, it takes for ever to upload on dial up (eek...) but we've made it from our camping headquarters...!



Next time, some pics of the village, that recently, from 960 people, swelled to 962...!!!
Ciao a tutti
Francesca and Manish the olive farmer