Tuscan feasts, yoga, tastings and planning ahead...

We've had a lovely month, Leigh's mum was over on her first visit of the year (so great to see her) and we've been working in the garden (surprise surprise).  I cleared out the strawberry patch, planted the tomatoes and we erected Steve the Scarecrow who has yet another new outfit.  Mowing and strimming is ongoing of course...  and with my new battery run strimmer I am wizzing around the garden like a mad thing! 

Our guests have all been lovely as usual, getting out and about in the Tuscan sunshine.  Almost all of them have been enjoying our neighbour's cooking (a four course meal made from scratch by our very own Italian nonna!) and some of them have visited the local olive farm, one of my favourite things to do out here. The owner, if available, will ferry our guests back and forth so that everyone is free to have a few glasses of wine and for the more hardcore, homemade grappa.  The bikes are always popular with guests at this time of year which has made me feel a bit guilty as I still haven't managed to do one ride in 2023!  

We have a special birthday group this week and they are pushing the boat out for their mum...  yoga and a local wine and olive oil tasting and we organised a beautiful cake from one of the local bakeries so hopefully their holiday will be one to remember.  What better way to celebrate a special birthday with family and friends than in this beautiful part of the world? 

The annual Anghiari craft fair has been happening this month, lots of lovely stalls - great atmosphere.  However we didn't have any guests staying this week to enjoy it which is a shame.  It was nice for us though, to spend a few days around the Casa Leana pool although I have to say it's very difficult to relax in your own place, all I keep seeing are jobs to do, flower beds to weed, lawns to cut etc. etc. urgh.  We have got a few things done.  I varnished the garden handrails and Leigh finished off a staircase leading to the veggie patch. Exciting stuff. I tell you, it's not all sunshine and Prosecco here in Tuscany!  Ha ha..

I have more exciting plans for next couple of months.  I really want to visit some thermal pools, the place I like is just outside Siena.  We have been there several times but not for a long time so I have been nagging Leigh about it for a while now and we have a trip planned for May or June.  

The annual vintage car race (Mille Miglia) is going through a microstate called San Marino this year.  I really love this event and San Marino is such a unique place.  It's a couple of hours away (a very pretty route) and we are going to make the trip with a couple of friends.  Watch this space for updates

Oh and we are also planning a trip to the Palio in Arezzo - it's a jousting tournament which, again, we saw several years ago and loved, so another visit is well overdue.  It all happens in June and September every year. 

I think that's it for the month.  We're both quite tired from keeping on top of the Casa Leana gardens but the end result is lovely so all worth it I think.  I love seeing the families who come to stay enjoying the gardens especially the children running around, playing with the garden games (boules, butterfly hunt, badminton etc.).  It makes all our hard work worthwhile. 

Have a great month.

D I A N A   xxx