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It has been a lovely few weeks here in Tuscany, we have had some great guests – a couple of groups from Germany and an Italian family with a lovely dog arrived last weekend and next week we have a family from Holland. Wow, it certainly makes a change having so many different nationalities but everyone seems to love Casa Leana thankfully so if our guests are happy so are we! It was my birthday yesterday so we have been out quite a lot over the last few weeks enjoying a bit of retail therapy. Don’t get me wrong I do love surprise presents but I also love birthday shopping. First stop was the designer outlet place just outside Florence (The Mall). We had a lovely day there but I didn’t find anything I liked although it was a good excuse for a day out people watching and lunch in the sunshine so I wasn’t too disappointed. Second up was Arezzo – I purchased a lovely bright green skirt in the sales but that was it, so onwards and upwards (another lunch in the sunshine but who’s counting?!). On Wednesday we went to one of my favourite towns, Cortona. I just love visiting this stunning place which has the most wonderful views and gorgeous restaurants not to mention great shopping. There are a couple of shops in particular that I love and I always seem to find something that I simply cannot live without! So two pairs of summer trousers later, we stopped off in our favourite restaurant overlooking Lake Trasimeno, Tonino, for lunch and the obligatory birthday Prosecco. So on the day of my actual birthday we had a quick lunch and Prosecco in Anghiari and then dinner in another one of our favourite haunts, Pieve Vecchia, just a few miles from Casa Leana. Such a gorgeous restaurant and if you are ever over here and fancy an amazing meal don’t forget to ask for a table overlooking the hilltop town of Monterchi and get there in time for the sunset. Heaven. In between all this Leigh managed to get his second vaccination so we are now both fully vaccinated thank goodness. A little bit of a bruised arm but no other side affects, phew. Anyway, back to normal this week although it is Leigh’s birthday next Sunday so more celebrations to come. And we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Leigh’s dad and step-mum who are coming over from Southern Ireland for a ten day visit. Cannot wait to see them, it’s always a lovely treat to have family and friends visiting (even more so this year) so we are very excited. The heatwave that we had in the middle of August has died down now to a relatively “chilly” 85 degrees so it doesn’t get too hot for cycling which is great. I cycled 91km this week, a bit more than I normally do but it meant the blowout on my birthday felt well deserved! That’s it for now. Have a great bank holiday weekend in the UK and for all our other friends around the world, have a lovely time. D I A N A xxx     
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I do love a market. A great opportunity for a little wander, stopping off for a coffee and a cake or a cheeky glass of Prosecco. We popped into Anghiari to check out the antiques market which happens the second Sunday of every month. I always think I won't find anything but after a rummage there is often a little gem among the weird and wonderful offerings. Last year I found a gorgeous pair of antique earrings (I am convinced the diamonds are real and there was a mistake on the price) which I love and yesterday I found a lovely mirror which I didn't buy but wanted to! We have ALOT of mirrors at Casa Leana so it was most probably for the best. On Wednesday we popped into the night market which is always fun. Great atmosphere and live music in the main piazza and some of the smaller piazzas, very romantic! Coupled with a few slices of pizza, gelato and a bottle of wine, we had a wonderful time. The weather here is super hot (quite a bit hotter than usual at 105 degrees!) so the guests are enjoying the pool of course. It is forecast to cool down to its normal level over the next day or so and we have a day out to The Mall organised - a designer shopping outlet in Florence. I think I mentioned before it's my birthday soon (and Leigh's is a few days after) so we are hoping to bag a bargain or two. Watering and looking after the pool are the key jobs at Casa Leana at this time of year. The grass isn't growing - just a few persistent weeds so no mowing or strimming at the moment. Thank goodness, I don't think we could cope with that in this heat. Getting out early again on the bikes and I had my second vaccine last week. Felt a bit sick for a few days but back to normal now, phew. Well, that's it for now, time certainly flies when you're having fun! D I A N A xxx        |
Welcome to my blog...
Just a little insight into our lives here. After eleven years of living in Tuscany I thought it was about time to have a go at blogging when one of my lovely friends said she had received (what she thought!) was an extremely funny text from me, hmmm.. How difficult can it be?!
D I A N A xxx
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October 2024
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