Update 2003
We have had a lovely second Christmas here on the farm. This year Richard's parents joined us making it a really festive time. The boys had great fun; Gregory thought it was fantastic that he got to open all Marco's presents too!
In Italy the giving traditions slightly different to the UK... here Santa Claus comes on Christmas eve, then on Christmas day you get the presents from family & friends and on Twelfth Night a good witch called Befana arrives to hand out more gifts of sweets to good children and coal to naughty ones. As you can see - it's a great place to be a kid!
The weather held out fabulously and we had a period of very clear (although very cold) blue skies. Our water pipe froze for 3 days in a row, resulting in Richard having to fill large canisters down at our stream and bring them back up to replenish the tank at the house. Thankfully this kind of thing doesn't happen regularly.
HOUSES:
Already the little Chestnut House is fully booked for next year. There are still a few vacancies in the Farm House & the Barn Conversion but not many. We are very pleased with the accommodation side of the business, especially as many of our guests from last year have re-booked.
OLIVES:
The olive oil harvest this year was very small because of the late frost last April (which wiped out a lot of the olive blossom) and then the drought from June to September wreaked havoc with everyone's yield.
However, it is not all bad news as the lack of water also meant that what little oil was harvested was intense and of an extremely high quality. (Thanks goodness we don't rely on this source alone for our income though!)
Talking of the olive trees, the Olive adoption scheme is doing very well. With the funds raised we have planted 20 new trees already and also fertilised at least a quarter of the mature trees.
Richard is busily pruning (worryingly, he is using his chainsaw!). It is a big undertaking as the trees have been neglected for a long time but it's also a very pleasant job as it can only be done when the weather is fine.
BOOK:
I am busily writing my next book, although I'm having problems with deciding on a title (always the way!). What do you think?
'Mad Dogs & Englishmen'
'Another Year in Tuscany'
'Sticking it out in Tuscany'
'The Italian Jobsworth' or 'You're only supposed to chop the bloody branches off!'
'Mr Mafia Lives Next Door'
If you have a better title then PLEASE let me know - I need help!
CONGRATULATIONS...
This year we have had several honeymoon couples staying in the Chestnut House - it certainly is a romantic hideaway - so congratulations to all of them & we wish you a long and happy time together.
Special 'Well Done!' goes to Richard - our last guest in the Chestnut House - who proposed to Pauline on their final night.
There's certainly something about that little house
Many, many heartfelt thanks to all our guests who were so good about being filmed, who put up with a rather grouchy pregnant woman in July (that would be me) and who have made our dream of staying here forever come true.
Another huge bag of gratitude to all those people who have emailed their support - I can't tell you how much we appreciate it & I'll get around to answering everyone in the end!
Thank you too to all those friends & guests who have helped out whilst here...
- Dennis & Madge for the grape picking (we're saving you a bottle for your next visit)
- Charlotte & Zoe for the Olive picking (shame it rained all weekend!)
- The Banks Family for bringing our olive harvest in (many hands etc.)
- Roger Dicks for his endless supply of fabulous ideas
- The Smith Family (for restoring my faith in other people's children!)
- The Manz Family (for keeping Marco clothed for many months to come!)
- Suzanne & Yasmin, our producers. Brendan & Will the cameramen & Billy Paulett, the man shouting down the phone! Would you believe it... we actually miss having you around!