Update June & July 2004

Well, my lapse in updating will testify as to how busy we have been recently. Not only that but there have been a few disasters and we've even managed to take a holiday in the last month too.

WEATHER:
The weather has been great - not like last year when we were all swealtering in 40 degree heat. It is currently averaging a very pleasant mid 30's and is still cool at night so we are all getting our beauty sleep.

PERSONAL:
We are delighted to announce that I'm preggers again. yet another boy! The newest addition to the Turnbull crew is due to arrive on the 31 st December and of course I'll be having him in our wonderful local hospital.

I broke my arm (the right one, by the law of Sod) and was in plaster for most of June. I did it by crashing the Gator (my arch nemesis!) on our driveway. Life was a little difficult for a while as I couldn't change a nappy or even do the washing up (shame!) but it's all mended now.

We also managed to snatch 4 days holiday in July to celebrate the other two boy's birthdays. We hired a camper van and went across to the Adriatic coast which was wonderful and visited the spectacular principality of San Marino. The theme parks of Mirabilandia and Aquafan also featured heavily and when we got home I needed a weeks sleep to combat the exhaustion of such a good holiday.

BUILDING WORK:
Temporarily suspended here at Casa del Sole due to not wanting to disturb our guests. All that needs doing now is a new roof in time for winter (I'll let you know if that happens and also if I see that famous Italian flying pig!) the road fortifying a bit and we are still waiting for the spiral staircase for the Barn.

However, Richard is busily developing his building business and is currently snowed under with work from both the ex-pat community and locals alike. we have even been able to replace our battered old Clio with a newer, shinier VW funded by his work so we are very pleased. Not to mention that now he's out of my hair during the day we are getting along much better than we have in ages. Bless!!!

GUESTS:
All has been going swimmingly recently with lots of rebooking for next year (almost full now for 2005!) Obviously there are the odd hiccoughs - like the pool turning green when we went away for 4 days, a water shortage and severe fire hazard warnings banning us from even using candles outside! But these things are minor and unavoidable - if this is all that goes wrong this year I'll thank my stars.

ANIMALS:
All 6 chucks are doing fine and are laying fairly well when given freedom but have a habit of withholding eggs if they are not let out for the afternoon!

Merlin, the dog, had a little accident whilst we were away - somehow he got shut in one of the unused rooms in the Farmhouse and was without food and water for 3 days but he's well on his way to recovery now.

Wild boar are having a great time eating all the windfall apples and pears and generally driving the dog to distraction.

HARVEST TIME:
Although there's a while to go before the olive harvest but in the mean time there is the serious business of cider and perry brewing to be done. Unfortunately I missed the prime jam making time as my arm was in plaster but am back on track for the more important task of liquor brewing!

FINALLY:
The swimming pool is proving to be a great hit with everyone and the table football game is keeping countless kids (and the young at heart) busy for hours. Our new Italian theme night has also been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone so here's to a fantastically enjoyable rest of the summer.

If you're thinking of visiting next year then please book soon - there's not an awful lot of space left!

Sarah