Life in Castiglion Fiorentino

Our tiny garden in Castiglion Fiorentino had a surprising number of beautiful long-stemmed roses. Dermott has taken to emptying his bladder under the bushes, so this could be the last bountiful year.


For the last couple of months the air has been full of swallows. There are fewer now and I expect they will soon take off to wherever they go for winter. I love watching them out of the kitchen window as they fly in frenzied circles - maybe they are chasing insects but to me it looks like the sheer joy of hooning around.

Of course everything isn't perfect in Paradise. Take the killer stairs for instance. Neither Snowy nor Dermott can negotiate them without falling, so each morning they have to be carried down. It's easy with Snowy but my heart is in my mouth when Graeme gathers up Dermott and steps blindly into the abyss.

And sadly, there are times when some of us have to stay home.....
While others do their laps.....



We're confident they will be back soon.....



Unless they go off wandering around town.

















Or decide to have coffee at that little place on the square.