Centuries Old Olives
Buongiorno from Rocking Dog! Anyone who knows me will know of the passion Andyman and I have for picking olives. For the last five years we have had the amazing privilege to stay with our gorgeous friends in Umbria and to help them pick their olives. They have generously shared their unctuous green and delicious olive oil, shared their friends, and shared all their favourite places with us. It’s been a truly wonderful way to see in the winter. Thank you Baz & Dee, together with Derek and kitty holding Wendy. xxxx
So….when the rare opportunity arose to buy a little property just across the path from our hosts, it was just simply too tempting! In the last sun setting days of August, Andyman and I found ourselves in the Notary’s office in Castiglione del Lago to listen to twelve pages of deeds read in Italian, and then translated and read in English. There was even a special deed relating to the ancient pizza oven and the stone built laundry shed! We are now the excited owners of a bijoux two bedded apartment a few minutes drive from Lake Trasimeno. Set in a small friendly village with one bar and one well stocked shop it’s not for those lusting after a noisy vibrant clubbing scene! The one bar is more likely to be the scene of a group of locals contemplating the first mushroom, the vines or the olive harvest. All these contemplations are done whilst nursing a singular small beer over a card hand.
Andyman and I adore the peace, the starry skies, the food, local festivals, markets and the local wines. Then there is always the continuing exploration of charming sunbaked medieval hilltop towns.
Rome can be reached by train in 2 hours and Florence 1 1/2 hours. The beautiful cities of Cortona, Sienna, Arezzo and Perugia are even closer. For the athletic there is mountain biking, wake boarding, golf, a host of activities on the lake and even a small water park for kids or those adults who simply don’t want to grow up! Lazy days can be spent crossing the lake to one of the islands for lunch or simply staying at “home” by the pool. Gently swinging in a hammock or swing chair contemplating the views is always a blissful prospect after the bustle of a busy market trip.
I think visits to Medieval hilltop towns will have to wait for a little while, there is a large garden to tend, and living space which needs a Rocking Dog stamp put on it! There is also the small matter of the 2016 olive crop to pick, including six old trees of our own.
Andyman and I are so looking forward to sharing Number 5 with friends and family. We hope that we too can treat our guests to freshly brewed coffee and Panettone before they arise, and then to share with them the numerous delights of Umbria and bordering Tuscany.
We are looking to do holiday lets for our little piece of paradise in 2017, so please contact us if you would like further details. lizferg@btinternet.co.uk
Stansted-Perugia (45 min drive to No 5) Bristol-Pisa (Approx 2 hours drive to No 5). Rome and other Italian airports are also definite possibilities.
The biggest challenge lies ahead…..to learn Italian. A linguist I am not, but I really can’t get by with Ciao bella and Grazie forever!
….& Ancient Oak
Bijoux Upstairs Pad!
Before Renovation
Table For Two
Twilight Dip
Poolside View
Room With A View
Vintage Laundry
Village Shop…..
& Village Bar
Local Hilltop Town
Lovely Lake
Local Crop
For The Athletic
….& The Passionate Cake Eater!
It sounds blissful Liz… And we’d definitely be interested in possible holiday letting in the future!
As a lover and maker of good food i’m sure you’d love the area Gina. A very short drive away there is an amazing little home bakery LoScoiattolio (Weds and Sun). Leah is German whist her husband is Italian, therefore there’s a great mix of Germanic Rye, Italian Focaccia and divine pastries. There is nothing lovelier than to sit at their kitchen table with a cappuccino whilst devouring something just scooped from the wood assisted oven. Lunchtime breads purchased, it’s then great to visit nearby La Saporita to pick up organic fruit, veg and more. Lunch in the garden sorted! I can honestly say I have never had a nondescript meal anywhere in the area, and prices are very reasonable. It’s foodie heaven! x
Looks amazing! I bet the little touches you’ll add will make it truly special
Yes, thank you Rachel i’m hoping to add a few vintage touches. I’m sure that Beloved Bernina is going to be busy! The apartment has good bones, with cool traditional terracotta floors and high traditional beamed ceilings. The garden is a wildish hide and seek sort of garden with lovely far stretching views. Very lucky x
Definitely, you describe it so beautifully, sounds extremely tempting and well done you on finding such a tranquil unique place. Would love to help with olive picking! xx
I hope there’ll be a girls trip there in the very near future Marie. Like learning the language i’m going to have to get used to the Italian way of driving YIKES!! x
So pleased for you and Andyman. I’m so looking forward to hearing how you progress with this fab project. As always ‘Rocking dog’ is an inspiration, Thank you.
It helps so much being supported and inspired by the people around me. Thank you Di you are a constant and wonderful presence in my life. x
Great to have connected again, Liz,–and love your Rocket Dog site–and your blissful-sounding Italian hideaway. It sounds just perfect–hope we can find some time to visit . xx
Great to hear from you Kathy and to hear of the growing Crossthwaite grandchild menagerie! Glad you like Rocking Dog. Thank you x
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