Update July to Sept 2005

Well, it's the end of our third summer season and we are all tired out. it's been a hectic few months.

WEATHER:
Personally we think this summer has been great. Not too hot (only hit the 40's for a week or so) and we are being eased into autumn now quite gently. Our Italian buddies though think it's been a terrible summer. One of them said that they have only been able to eat outside a couple of times because it's been so cold. I tried to explain that even in the best weather in the UK it's not as nice as it's been this year in Tuscany but was dismissed by the look that says 'you're obviously speaking the wrong words because I know you can't really mean that it is so cold in England'.

PERSONAL:
All is well at the Casa del Sole. We are all a bit tired after a busy summer of Pizza Parties and cleaning. I seem to be constantly tending the washing machine - 3 houses, 3 kids and a mucky husband make for a lot of laundry duty!

The kids are all fine. Gregory started 'big school' in September and is really enjoying it. Marco is as intrepid as ever and has had many trips to A&E over the summer. Vittorio is huge (at 10 months he weighs the same as Marco who is 2 and a bit!). He's crawling at lightening speed and will be walking pretty soon I fear!

We are looking forwards to our fourth olive harvest in November and hoping the weather is dry. This year we will probably do it all ourselves again. There aren't so many olives and it is a nice job to do together - I don't get to see too much of Richard recently so am missing shouting at him on a regular basis!

BUILDING WORK:
Richard is at work again on our house. Now that the season has ended in the Farmhouse he is busily replacing floors - a job that has needed doing for some time. Once he's finished (next week?!?) we will be moving back into the Farmhouse because it has central heating and we are beginning to need a fire on at night. I've then scheduled him in to replace the last bit of roof that needs doing in November. I'll keep you posted! Poor lad doesn't get much rest - he's working as site manager for another project and also doing renovation for a couple of lovely ladies in Lucca. No rest for the wicked or those with mortgages!

GUESTS:
All in all (so far) it's been a successful year. We have been delighted to see many people on their second and third visits to the farm and it is always lovely to catch up with them. We've also had some really interesting new visitors and some fantastic social evenings. Good Luck to all our honeymoon couples - I think that many of them may have been put off having kids though!

Just a note to whoever stole, broke or otherwise removed my carved stone sun - it made me very sad because it was my anniversary present from Richard. That's the only problem with the rental business - sometimes you have people who treat your house as though it were an impersonal hotel and not our home. I know that we have got to expect this kind of thing in our line of business but all the same it is upsetting and disappointing. However, most people are lovely so I shouldn't really complain.

ANIMALS:
Would you believe it - the pony (Mora) who was supposed to have a foal last month was actually having a phantom pregnancy. Although the boys are a bit disappointed I'm actually quite pleased that there wont be the patter of tiny hooves - there are enough babies around the place to keep me busy!

We bought some more hens a couple of months ago and are eagerly awaiting the first eggs. Fortunately we haven't had any more fox incidents so far.

Gladys the goose is as mad as ever. She doesn't like getting wet and is convinced she's a dog. She sits with them and has even perfected a rather squarky 'bark'. I tried to get her another goose companion but apparently there is a goose season so I can't get hold of any more until next April.

FINALLY:
Lots of people email and say that we sound as busy as we were in the UK. That's absolutely true - we didn't come here to sit on our hillside and look at the view (although that is nice for an hour or so on an evening with a glass of wine). We came to Tuscany to build a new life, which is jolly hard work but infinitely rewarding. Wherever you are there are always challenges in life - the trick is to be true to yourself and your dreams.