A few months ago I wrote a blog entitled: ‘Una Veduta dalla mia Finestra’, in which I described the view across the valley from la mia casa in Valdantena, Toscana (my house in Valdantena, Tuscany). Today it’s a different window and a different view, this time the view is from the window of our apartment at ‘Ai Chiosi’, our friend Adriana’s beautiful B&B which, as I wrote a few days ago in my blog ‘Bed and Breakfast’, me and Geoff are managing this summer.
Ecco la mia descrizione:
| Oggi è il cinque giugno, una bella giornata serena e soleggiata d’inizio estate. |
Today is the fifth of June, a beautiful, serene, and sunny early summer’s day.
|
| Sembra che fuori ci sia stato un artista geniale a giocare con ogni possibile variazione di verde. |
Outside it seems as if an ingenious artist has been playing with every possible variation of green. |
| Siamo nella valle di Pontremoli, una delle poche distese pianeggianti incuneata fra le colline e i monti dell’Alta Lunigiana. |
We are in the Pontremoli valley, one of the few flat stretches of land wedged amongst the hills and mountains of Alta Lunigiana. |
| Immediatamente davanti alla finestra c’è un albero di noce tutto storto, fra i cui rami si intravvede il paesaggio agreste. |
Right in front of the window is a twisted walnut tree, between the branches of which you glimpse the rural landscape. |
| C’è un campo d’orzo biondeggiante macchiato dal rosso dei papaveri. |
There’s a field of bleaching barley stained by the red of the poppies. |
| Più oltre, una fila di salici ed ontani che delineano il corso del fiume Verde. |
Further on, a row of willows and alders mark the course of the river Verde |
| Sull’argine del fiume, un campo di fieno appena tagliato riempie l’aria col suo profumo dolce. |
On the bank of the river a meadow of freshly cut hay fills the air with its sweet perfume. |
| Al di là del fiume si erge la collina su cui è appollaiato l’antico castello del Piagnaro, così detto perché il tetto è ricoperto di piagne, le caratteristiche lastre di pietra grigia usate qua da noi. |
Beyond the river rises the hill on which is perched the ancient Piagnaro castle, so called because its roof is covered with piagne, the characteristic sheets of grey stone used in this area. |
| Come una manciata di dadi gettati per terra dalla mano di un gigante, le case medievali franano giù verso il centro storico di Pontremoli. |
Like a handful of dice thrown down on the ground by a giant, the medieval houses tumble down towards the historic centre of Pontremoli. |
| Sullo sfondo, le imponenti pareti dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano si innalzano verso il limpido mantello azzurro del cielo. |
In the background, the imposing walls of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano mountains reach up towards the clear blue mantel of the sky. |
Comments:
Wilbilmor (Giugli(elmo):
Mi piace moltissimo il BLOG ed il tuo uso poetico delle parole italiani ( per ) descrivere ‘il tuo mondo’, che bellissimo..Ti ringrazio per ‘la veduta’ scritta………………W
G:
Thank you so the beautiful writing,and I love you put the translation right next to the Italian.Grazie mille.
Vince Mooney:
Salve Serena:
I stayed in a place in Polcenigo, near Aviano, many times that looks just like Ai Chiosi. I think I’d feel right at home there. Are you going to tell us about any great restaurants that are nearby?
If we are in the area, my wife and I, can we drop in an see you? Also, is the tavern open to non-guests who just want to buy a drink?
I just have to ask you this: have you or your husband read Eric Newby’s book: “Love And War in the Apennines”? I think he would love it. (The hero is English, the heroine, Italian — but the real heroes are the local Italians).
Also, Newby’s book about the horrors of trying of buy and fix-up a home in Italy called: “A Small Place in Italy”. The war was easier than trying to fix that little farm house up! 🙂
Vince
serena:
@Vince Mooney Ciao Vince,
Our two current favorite restaurants in Pontremoli are ‘Il Ristorante San Giorgio’ on the northern edge of town near the hospital (strada della Cisa), and ‘Il Girosole’, which is about 5-10 minutes walk from Ai Chiosi. Both are very friendly and ‘accoglienti’, have a good choice of Pizze cotte a legna (pizza baked in a wood fired oven), traditional local dishes such as ‘testarolo’ and ‘pasta ai funghi’, and other Italian dishes.
If you are in the area we would love to meet you, I can post you my e-mail address if you like so that we can ‘metterci d’accordo’.
Yes we’ve both read and enjoyed Newby’s book. He was active in this area, and the house he bought is not far from here in Caniparola. (where there is also a fascinating pizzeria/museo!).
From our personal experience I would have to agree that the war was probably easier than restoring an old building in a little village!!
When are you thinking of visiting Italy?
A presto, Serena
Vince Mooney:
Salve Serena:
The part of mainland Italy I have not seen is from Siena south along the west coast all the way to Rome. I would love to take a month and stay at B&Bs exploring this area. I have trouble walking so I need to go when there are fewer tourists and it is not so hot but before the cold weather comes. (I’m one of those people who love Venice the most in November.) If we can get away, I’d want to be in Italy in September or October. My wife takes care of two elderly parents so any trip plans are very tentative. This blog keeps me in touch with Italy and my eye on the ‘prize’: a return to Italia. I really look forward to your posts. Thanks.
Vince