14 settimani (14 weeks): Blighty, bottle-feeding, builders and ball games

Juliet writes:

Cara amici,

It feels like a long time since I last managed to sit at the computer and write. So forgive me if this post is a little lengthy and/or rambling!

What news? Well, obviously we survived our first whirlwind 6-day tour of the UK. We even managed to smuggle Branston pickle and porkpies on the way back. Even though the weather was appalling and we didn’t want to leave Italy, we had a lovely time - everyone was so hospitable and generous. After a super couple of days separately visiting our old folks (thanks for putting up with us mum and poppa!), we had a sumptuous feast and catch up with James and Amy, a fun night at the Victories with their new pup and a lovely relaxing day with Sammy. We even managed to fit in a delicious lunch courtesy of Helen, drinkies with Kaz, June, Jean and the fluffbots and a trip to the theatre for my mum’s birthday. The latter was Noel Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter’ – part film, part theatre, part musical, part comedy, part weepy and part reminiscing on a gentle, romantic period with a super multi-talented small cast. We sat next to Imelda Staunton and just across from Patricia Hodge. Always a good sign when actors are part of the paying audience. It was one of the best productions I’ve ever seen. If you go to one thing this year, make it that.

The trip back made us realise that the only thing we miss about England (apart from porkpies and vegemince) is a few dear friends and family. And although we have only been here 14 weeks, Italy really does feel like home. This is especially the case when we are both at the house, pottering about pruning and raking in the sunshine and listening to the birds singing and the horses neighing – there is no better feeling of peace and happiness in our little world.

(See photo (left) of Peter with rake, trying to prove he isn't a 'City Boy' anymore!)

For all you cat-lovers, I am pleased to report that kitty is thriving (see recent pics above). Bottle-feeding for Italy, winning awards for weeing and climbing everywhere (the sleeping box is already too short for those claws). However, in kitten world, the poo tray is obviously for eating that delicious and nutritious cat litter and the saucer of milk makes a lovely swimming pool. We will persevere…

We are completely blessed with Anna and Hernando as neighbours as they are not only the nicest, smiliest people we have met, but they are also utterly animal mad. So while we were in Blighty, they were kind enough to volunteer to look after both ‘grande gatto’ and ‘gattini’ as well as water the flowers. They even took Tumble to their house so that they could provide love and milk around the clock. We had our first visit to the vet this week to conquer worms, fleas and other nasties and it turns out that ‘he’ is actually a ‘she’! Unless we were the proud parents of the only gay cat in Tuscany, Peter and I were beginning to suspect this may be the case as Tumble is far too pretty to be a boy. Weed is also doing very well and has been exceptionally soppy since our return. Every time she passes Tumble she stops for an affectionate sniff and I am sure they will be great friends within the next few months.

As to the house, things are beginning to get greener after The Great Fire of Cerignano, although it still looks like the aftermath of The Somme in places. Our grapes are growing well, the agapanthus are in full bloom and we have a large daily supply of fresh and juicy plums and figs, which P and I munch happily as we work, savouring the taste of fruit from our own land – there is nothing quite like it. We were terribly excited this week as we had our first Lecci peach… hmmm – maybe we need to get out more?! We continue to do gardening every day, but we are limited to a few hours due to Tumble’s appetite. Hopefully once she is fully weaned we can spend more time tackling the jungle and amassing a more impressive array of blisters, bruises, scratches and scabs.

For the inside, we have ordered some kitchen units and floorboards for the lounge/library, plus we have sourced the bath tub, Florentine tiles and most of the other flooring, the marble and granite and some lighting, as well as names/numbers of local craftsmen such as plasterers, masons, ironworkers and carpenters.

Things are – at long bloomin’ last – moving forward with contractors. In the hope of receiving our deed of sale in the next few days (nothing happens here without this), we had seven people round today to discuss the house. Thank goodness we took our kettle and some coffee from the rental place! Firstly we met with Elena and Leo who introduced us to their builder/plumber and sparkie. Then our other lovely neighbours Giovanni and Giovanna turned up with their delightful English-speaking friend Simona (wife of one of the firemen who helped us). With them, we discussed the possibility of project management, as frustratingly we do not speak enough Italian for such a complicated project. Giovanni has beautifully restored the 800-year-old nunnery and is also an engineer, so he is perfect for the job - not only does he know everyone from mayor to planning officers but is quite optimistic that – with the right approach – we will get our balcony and pool. Hoorah!

Peter now endearingly calls Lecci ‘Our Money Pit’. Yes, we are slightly concerned about the budget spiralling, but I suppose that was inevitable as foreigners with taste too fussy for their purse-strings. I will try to keep a grip on things as I am one for a bargain and we are both happy to take our time to find the best cheapest options. Realistically, we hope to have a comfortable (or at least habitable) home in time for P’s 60th next June and then a manageable garden, including (in our dream world) vegetable and kitchen gardens, thriving vineyard and olive grove, pool and pool house, fully-functioning pizza oven, terraces, beds and borders, steps and bougainvillea-covered lounging areas a year or two after that. And I mustn’t forget the chickens. So hopefully by Olympic year we will be open for minor royalty (fee-paying of course)!

Giovanni is also, rather handily, the Vice President of Fivizzano Tennis Club, so on Thursday P has his first game for about 6 months. He was quite nervous about his lack of practice, so I offered my ball-girl services and barley water for moral support – not sure if they helped though: the final score was 6-1, 7-5 to Giovanni. However, P came back really well in the second set and I am sure he will get into the swing of it again soon… if he has the time to practice in between hacking the garden to bits, sanding down walls and making up bottles of milk.

Well, I had better dash – that aforementioned rather operatic feline is flexing her lungs. Well, what do we expect from an Italian kitten?!

Lots of love and kisses to you all.

Ciao per ora.

XXX

J falls for dark handsome stranger, and he moves in!

Not a fireman (sadly), but the smallest, fluffiest, cutest little thing you could imagine.

Peter - henceforth known as The Hero of Toscana (to me anyway) - was clearing out a shed ready for demolition by a very large JCB. He heard a squeak and immediately stopped the workers from swinging the big claw of doom towards the area. Underneath 73 empty wine bottles and lots of dust was the source of the noise - a tiny kitten.

We think he is no more than 1 week old as his eyes are still shut. His mum was nowhere in sight, he was very hungry and scared, there were no other siblings and we thought he wouldn't survive that environment anyway, so after some emergency milk and cuddles, we took pity and took him in.

I am pleased to report that he (and I) survived his first night in the rental place, feeding every 2 hours and reassuring him (he isn't happy unless he is nestled up to a hand/shoulder/hair etc). He is drinking milk from a special bottle like it's going out of fashion and he definitely has good lungs. Despite efforts to keep our distance and realise that he might not make it, we have of course fallen hopelessly in love.

Even Weed has developed a slight affection (or more like bemused tolerance) of the little fellow.

Stupidly, having vowed not to become too attached, we have already named him: 'Tumble' (to go with Weed and also because the shed tumbled down and he does lots of tumbling as his little legs are still a bit squiffy).

Not sure how he will survive next week when we are back in Blighty - hopefully we can bribe some locals to provide around-the-clock care. Anyway, I will keep you all posted , for better or worse.

Better go now. Peter is trying to get him used to a shoebox, rather than our knees, for a bed and there is much squealing/swearing :o)

Much love to you all. Big kisses, Juls XXX