Update January 2004

IL DISASTRO . as you may be aware, my computer finally got it's own back after years of abuse and broke. Although all bookings and adopted olive trees are still registered to their owners I lost everyone's contact details (nightmare!). If you would like to re-register your email address on our new database for late availability and special offers then please send me an email with 'register' in the subject field.

If you have sent an email which I have not responded to please simply resend it and I'll get in touch with you straight away.

WEATHER
It's chilly here. in fact it's flipping freezing but at lease that means that it's skiing season again and when you are only an hour from the slopes it's a shame not to go. Gregory has had his first ski lesson and Marco has had his first go in a sledge. both were impressed for the first hour or so but then didn't like being cold!

It snowed for the first time in years in Pescia (our home town). It was very beautiful but the cold snap also brought with it frozen water pipes so Richard (who had had to fill the water tank up by hand) was pleased when it warmed up a bit!

BUILDING
We're too busy really to be larking about in the snow. We have begun work in ernest on the Barn Conversion. It now has new floors and the doors and windows are all on order. All we need to do now is a little bit of a re-build of the kitchen and lounge area and then it is finished (apart from the new roof that is!).

The really exciting thing that is happening is the work on our new 'Lodge'. This is where we will be living in summer and it will also be available to rent outside of School holidays. I was worrying that it was going to be a bit small but having helped Richard lay the concrete foundations I realise I needn't have worried, as with all Richard's projects, it has ended up on a grand scale!

ANIMALS
We have also got a new dog to replace poor old Brook who died before Christmas. We went along to the rescue centre and chose a beautiful 6 month old mongrel called 'Morgan' who had been living on the streets of Montecatini. She proceeded to chew the whole house and then escaped. We were worried that she would run off as she is very timid but she is quite happy to stay near the house as long as we don't try to catch her. training will get underway as soon as we can trick her into being caught!

5 new chickens arrived at the farm this month too in anticipation of the tourist season. everyone likes our fresh free-range eggs although the old chickens have stopped laying in disgust that we have brought in new blood and the new ones are too young as yet to lay eggs so we are going without until they all stop sulking.

GUESTS
We are looking forwards to welcoming our first visitors in the Chestnut House at the beginning of next month. We are hoping for better weather for them than this month as it has been a bit rainy. we'll see.