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.