Sunday, September 21, 2008
In the meadows of Tuscany
Out in the meadows - beyond the house - a treehouse stands amoungst the foliage. Today it was time to fix the roof. Mathew and I went ambling across the feilds in search for the perfect branches - Ana in tow. The desired branch is one that has many sticks and few leaves - we liked the leaves. We snipped a bundle and carried it back to the hut - Ana in tow. Mathew skillfully climbed the swinging ladder. I gave it a bash - and for Ana we found a more stable climbing frame. Together we climbed carefully until we were on top of the world and looking out over the meadows of Tuscany.
In Reality
Who would choose to have a job, house, and life in one spot...? Traveling in Italy - Niente di meglio
Friday, September 19, 2008
"A toast to Pizza"
Our first evening meal in Tuscany was Gulasch with bread dumplings, with Chianti on the side. Our next evening meal - Mathew's Dad prepared the dough and we spent the evening flattening, rolling, cutting, sprinkling our own personalised pizzas. Then they were gathered up and shoved into the pizza oven. Bottles and glasses of Chianti graced the dining table in the middle of this Tuscan villa, as pizza after pizza passed over our plates. We were even priviledged to have the youngest pizza chef create a Calzone to share. Mathew raised his glass as we began our feast "A toast to Pizza" - how appropriate. His little sister raised her glass and we all clinked glasses. A toast to pizza in this tuscan villa surrounded by family.
Canaling the Thames
Well after many days skyping my sister in Tuscany, after the rest of my extended family joined together in June for a Tuscan family reunion without me, after my eldest sister taught her youngest neice to blow kisses via the internet to me in NZ, after many discussions about celebrating my fathers' 70th in the UK or Tuscany, after my hair dresser said I was mad to not take the plunge - I finally booked a ticket to the UK and Tuscany!!
On the 13th of September, 2008, my eldest sister picked me up from a traumatic flight, and drove me to Goring - the place my father had moored his canal boat. When I knocked on the door of my father's canal boat, he opened the door - stunned. He did not know where he was, who I was, what I was doing there, and as he said later - his jaw fell into the thames and floated away. The surpise birthday present had worked its charm.
I spen the first week of my overseas holiday battling the strong current of the Thames with my parents in their canal boat. It was not the experience I or they had hoped I would one day have in their canal boat, but what I did have I loved. Canaling is me! Mooring one evening, after challenging the 'red boards' and motoring up the thames against the strong current, on the edge of the meadow with the cows munching the grass along the misty bank, I felt like I was in heaven. I awoke early the following morning, camera in hand, and shot the scene.
On the 13th of September, 2008, my eldest sister picked me up from a traumatic flight, and drove me to Goring - the place my father had moored his canal boat. When I knocked on the door of my father's canal boat, he opened the door - stunned. He did not know where he was, who I was, what I was doing there, and as he said later - his jaw fell into the thames and floated away. The surpise birthday present had worked its charm.
I spen the first week of my overseas holiday battling the strong current of the Thames with my parents in their canal boat. It was not the experience I or they had hoped I would one day have in their canal boat, but what I did have I loved. Canaling is me! Mooring one evening, after challenging the 'red boards' and motoring up the thames against the strong current, on the edge of the meadow with the cows munching the grass along the misty bank, I felt like I was in heaven. I awoke early the following morning, camera in hand, and shot the scene.
Friday, September 5, 2008
My extended family's adventures
Its been a long time since I blogged. I guess not much happening in the home life at present - yet. However we have been able to live vicariously through my nephew's and sister's blog as they have ventured to the other side of the world for at least 6months. They, with hubby and baby sister, have rented a Tuscan Villa for 6months before seeking their fortune in the UK for a year or so (or depending on the next plan). Check out their blogs - Mathew has a great writing style and is keeping a very memorable diary of his adventures.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Storm Front
Well - it was deemed the storm of the decade with disastrous south easterly winds and torrential rain. We were told to prepare for a battering and to ensure that we had our survival kits ready. Civil Defense rolled into action, ready for what might eventuate.
Having said that Fiona went into town for a workshop - only to be evacuated and told to go home at lunch time. Being high tide, Fiona still ventured homeward past the narrow ridges next to the rising sea. Fortunately she made it home in one piece. through out the early afternoon we had raincoats and boots handy as we rushed outside and rescued items that flew off our decks. Then a lull. What better time to get into the car and go and see the storms destruction and fury. We drove to Ocean Beach (we didn't take your car Dad - just in case). Wow!! Actually it wasn't as bad as we had anticipated. The harbour appeared ominously calm. Drains had morphed into rivers and whirl pools as they approached drains. Only when we turned onto the Ocean Beach straight did the extent of the storm begin to show its impact with a couple of enormous trees partially blocking the road. We were unperturbed - we wanted to see the waves. Ocean Beach did not disappoint!
Having said all that - on a west facing property the storm did not deliver the excitement that perhaps others enjoyed!
Having said that Fiona went into town for a workshop - only to be evacuated and told to go home at lunch time. Being high tide, Fiona still ventured homeward past the narrow ridges next to the rising sea. Fortunately she made it home in one piece. through out the early afternoon we had raincoats and boots handy as we rushed outside and rescued items that flew off our decks. Then a lull. What better time to get into the car and go and see the storms destruction and fury. We drove to Ocean Beach (we didn't take your car Dad - just in case). Wow!! Actually it wasn't as bad as we had anticipated. The harbour appeared ominously calm. Drains had morphed into rivers and whirl pools as they approached drains. Only when we turned onto the Ocean Beach straight did the extent of the storm begin to show its impact with a couple of enormous trees partially blocking the road. We were unperturbed - we wanted to see the waves. Ocean Beach did not disappoint!
Having said all that - on a west facing property the storm did not deliver the excitement that perhaps others enjoyed!
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