Archive by Author
Parting Words Posted by Geoff on Feb 16, 2015
A chill wind sweeps the darkening platform and whistles mournfully through the overhead cables. A plastic wrapper rattles by as it chases a leaf along the tracks. The speaker crackles to life, and a distant voice, seeming to emanate from some far off continent, announces: Il treno proveniente da Parma, diretto a Livorno, è in…
The Pinoli Thieves Posted by Geoff on Feb 11, 2015
Pinoli, essential ingredient of many Italian culinary delights, such as the classic pesto alla Genovese, are becoming so valuable, at up to 100 euros a kilo, that they are being targeted by thieves for resale on he black market. What Are Pinoli? Pino Pinea (The Stone, or Umbrella Pine). Photo (CC) by Matt Westgate Pinoli…
Our Italian Journey – Part 3: Pontremoli Posted by Geoff on Feb 5, 2015
In this episode guest blogger Bill Auge concludes his ‘Italian Journey’ series with a visit to our home town, Pontremoli in Lunigiana. “… a walk along the country lanes…” Photo: Bill Auge We’re back on the rails again heading northwest toward the northern reaches of Toscana. This time we’re moving at a more leisurely pace through…
A Very Smelly Blog! Posted by Geoff on Feb 2, 2015
Inspiration can arrive from the strangest of places or event. Take the other day for example, when our sweet little kitten Ambra deployed one of her deadly Weapons of Mass Destruction whilst we were sitting enjoying our afternoon coffee. Yes, Ambra paid an urgent visit to her lettiera (litter tray), and was so moved by…
Our Italian Journey – Part 2: Florence Posted by Geoff on Jan 29, 2015
Text and photos by guest blogger Bill Auge. Find Part 1: Venezia HERE Ponte Vecchio con i passanti (with the passers by) The Italo train left la Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia and glided through the flat agricultural plain of Veneto, through the Appennino Mountains toward Firenze, reaching the impressive speed of 300 km an…
The Tree of Life – Part 2 Posted by Geoff on Jan 28, 2015
essiccare = to dry/desiccate sbucciatura = to de-husk/peel metato/seccatoio = chestnut drying barn farina di castagne = chestnut flour gràfié e bigungia = dialect name for a large pestle and mortar malàta = hemp sack used for removing the husk from chestnuts vasùra = tray for winnowing the chestnuts, from vassoio = tray In part…
Our Italian Journey – Part 1: Venezia Posted by Geoff on Jan 22, 2015
Photos and text by Bill Auge with an intro by Geoff This autumn we had the very great pleasure of meeting Bill Auge a long time reader of ours, and his wife Victoria. Recently retired, Bill and Victoria took a long anticipated trip to Europe, with Italy as their main goal. Serena and myself spent…