Olive is learning to knit socks

 

Behind the bombola

I’ve reached the stage of feeling happily back in control of the garden, at least I was until I watched Chelsea Flower Show on tv and realised there’s still a long way to go. 

The only area left to sort was behind the LPG tank, the bombola. Several years ago MrFF made a trellis to hide the front of the ugly and highly visible white tank, has no one thought of green.   Once the passion flower gets going it’s well hidden from the house and lower terrace.

I’d stalled on dealing with the area behind because it was totally overgrown with a tangle of dead ornamental grass, rampant weeds and another passion flower.  It’s tricky climbing into that area but my concern was there might be wasp nests or even snakes. I’d already come across a wasp nest about the size of a tangerine when cutting back other grass so I was wary mainly because I wouldn’t be able to make a quick exit.   

Anyway I finally got round to the work and happily there were no dangers waiting in there. I still have more to do but already it looks so much better. I really like seeing the wall again so I’ll try to keep control and just allow the passion flower to complement the stones. 

Dog Sitting

Our local Danish friend called by to ask a favour.  The family had planned a weekend trip to Germany and booked their two white sheepdogs into the rescue/vets from where they were originally adopted.  A few days before they were leaving they were told the rescue didn’t have room for them after all and as a last resort wondered if we would be able to help out for two days.  Of course we were happy to do so.

The plan was that the dogs would have access to the house and gardens, we’d get the key code for the gates and once each day top up their bowls of food and water, simple. However we were a little apprehensive.  We hadn’t seen the dogs for over a year and worried they might not appreciate strangers entering their territory. Bianca and Ellie are Maremma Abruzzese dogs traditionally used by shepherds to protect the flocks from wolves, quite protective creatures, quite big too.  The larger of the two weighs 45 kilos, about 7 stones, I weigh 9.

So we took full instructions and on the Saturday walked the mile to the house to be greeted by two large barking dogs jumping up at the gates.  Once we were inside they barked a bit more but calmed down when food appeared.  There were also treats for us to give them and a brush so I gave them a quick groom, that helped and pretty soon we were all friends.  

Next day we were looking forward to seeing them again, they didn’t bark at all and we spent time playing with them in the garden.   We really enjoyed being with such beautiful dogs, such a nice distraction that we have offered to do feed them again if it’s not for too long. 

Sad days

We are having a rather somber time in Italy following the death of two dear friends here.

Our lovely neighbour Giovanni died just after our return.  He was a true and generous friend to us.   Back in Ilkley MrFF always kept in touch sending Giovanni photos of his walks in the Dales but after Christmas Giovanni stopped responding. We received only a brief note telling us he was unwell.  It’s quiet in the mountainside  without him, as MrFF said we were used to waking early to the sound of him strimming his olive groves before it got too hot.  He gave us good advice on our olives and introduced us to the local mill though he was never much impressed by my flowers, if it wasn’t edible he wasn’t interested. 

On Saturday some of his family came from Rome to the house and kindly invited us to a pizza night to remember Giovanni. A regular occurrence in summer when Giovanni supervised the production of far too many delicious pizzas cooked in the outside oven and children and grandchildren arrived for the feast. This photo was taken when his wife Milena was still alive. 

Secondly a Danish friend with a house in a nearby village flew back to Copenhagen 3 weeks ago feeling unwell.  He was admitted to hospital and underwent a lot of  tests but sadly died at the weekend.   We didn’t know Knud that long but he was a kind and generous man who kept a beautiful garden.  We happily exchanged cuttings and he provided me with buckets full of marmalade oranges.  

Quiet days with much reflection, I keep gardening immersed in my memories of two very different men who both loved to grow things.