I haven't been writing much this year, as I've mentioned, but I want to...
We were driving back home to The Nut last weekend, and were thrilled to see the door open at a small chapel we love to look at...from the outside.
There was no one around, though we soon realized that the chapel was open for "Ognissanti", or 'All Saints Day'. It's a day to visit and honor family and friends who have passed on. This little chapel is connected to a small, local cemetery.
What luck for us. We've looked through the tiny windows a million times, Johnny has painted the chapel on several occasions, but we've never had a chance to go inside...
The chapel was all dressed up for a service. We didn't know if it had already happened or not, but we so enjoyed seeing this gem in all her glory...
Even the ceiling is beautiful...
It was light enough inside to really see the frescoes we'd peered at over the years from the outside.
We had no idea how lovely they are, and felt quite touched to see them up close.
They are in disrepair, for sure, but somehow that just adds to the beauty.
There are two altars, and both were ready for visitors.
I loved the patina of everything in this tiny space...the ceiling, the floors, the pews and chairs. The colors of what remains of the frescoes are so subtle and gorgeous. You can just imagine them being painted so long ago.
It was such an honor to finally, after more than a decade, be able to step inside.
If it's the one and only time we ever are allowed inside, that's fine by me. It was worth the wait.
It's so easy to fall in love with olive trees here in Italy. They are everywhere in the country side, and you start to really notice just how gorgeous the leaves are when the light is right...and the really old trees are like a dream you've had one time.
And then there's the oil...more on that in a minute.
I took some photos this morning on my walk...just the beauty of the trees and the groves...
I love the shadows and the lines...
The olives are so pretty.
We are surrounded by groves in our little area!
I just happened on this fellow harvesting this morning...
The grove on the property where we live has about 160 trees, I think. Some are easier to harvest, all planted in rows, which makes putting the nets under them much more convenient.
The lower grove is in rows and on pretty flat land.
Plus, having an awesome view is nice when we are working our fannies off!
The olives are beautiful, and when they are in the nets and baskets, they look like jewels....
One of our main jobs as helpers is to help lay out the nets under the trees. These nets are huge, and get really heavy when they are full of olives. You drag them around with another person, lay them out then start the picking. The olives fall into the net...
After you have enough olives in the nets, you then manipulate them into a big pile, and sort of pour them from the net into the bins.
Yes, there are some leaves and such that go through the mill.
We try and get as much of the leaves out as possible, but we're always on a deadline to get the work done, so you can't get them all...
The bins. They are called "cassette", the 'e' at the end is pronounced ā...so not like a music cassette.
Here, you can see how big the nets can be! In this way, people can be working on more than one tree at a time.
I actually enjoy the work, if it's not too hot or windy. That being said, after many hours, the neck and shoulder muscles start to scream a bit! I take Advil before the work starts!
I think it's the natural gardener in me that enjoys the work...
This year, we worked in two groves. One on the property where we have The Nut, and also at a friend's property.
It's great to be able to help out for a couple of days...but it is hard work.
The fantasy you see in the movies is not the reality of the work that needs to be done.
My favorite part is just listening to folks chatting together as the work is being done. You learn more about the people you meet here in Umbria. It's a bonding opportunity. If there is a lovely lunch provided, it's golden. (Thanks, Jody!)
All in all, we do it because we want to help out.
Smiles when the hard part is finished!
The big crash afterwards... especially for Boss Cat, Nemo. His constant supervision must be exhausting.
Then there's the oil...
You have to toast some simple crusty white bread...then a drizzle of oil and a bit of salt.
Some like to rub the toast with garlic, but I like my first taste to be about the oil.
I can't say it enough...I love my old school toaster.
This year, our oil has a spicy kick. We like it. It will mellow a bit over time.
Mmmmmmm.
We get 'paid' in oil, so that makes it all worth while!
If you want to see more olive harvesting, I've done another post here, from the 2019 harvest.
You wouldn't know it by the weather over the last few days.....
...But it was like summer last week, and we jumped at the chance to take a ride around the lake with our pals in their boat.
What a special treat!!
Leaving the small harbor in nearby Castiglione del Lago.
We've taken the ferry boats many times out to the islands on the lake, but never have been on a personal boat here. It was so fun, and the day was perfect weather...warm, no wind...
Happy Artist!
On previous boat trips, we've always seen the island from one side, as the ferry boat just goes from one port to another.
On this trip, we were taken all around the island, and we got to see the castle in all her ruinous glory...we've never really seen this castle before. It's huge...
Coming around the tip of the island.
We've only seen a small portion of the castle before. I had no idea how extensive it is.
Sadly, she's really falling apart, and I doubt there are any true glory days left for her.
After a slow cruise around to the other side, we docked the boat and had a small bite to eat.
We enjoyed a wonderful bruschetta with tomatoes, olives, mushrooms and onion.
It was quite tasty...wine, of course!
As we left, the weather was just beginning to change. We high tailed it back to the mainland before it started to rain a bit.
Clouds moving in fast!
Yeah, I had my "Titanic" moment. Come on, who wouldn't take advantage if asked?!?
Johnny just hung back and smiled....
I hope we have another chance to get out to the island on the regular ferry, but over night it has become so cold, windy and wet!
I'll just have to look back on this so special day on the lake and laugh!!!
Going to the flea markets and/or antique markets here in Italy is a total blast. I've posted a few times in the past about these fun days, and I'm so glad things haven't changed about the markets since the dreaded covid.
Well, people are wearing masks, and there is hand sanitizer all over the place, but that's an ok change.
We always deliberate over whether to go or not....we don't really need anything, but it's such fun just looking at what we could bring home!
Sure, it's a pile of 'junk', but what cool junk!
I'm always, always tempted by these old pots and buckets. If it's rusty, even better.
These markets generally run one weekend or Sunday a month, and they can range from just old flea market stuff to really fine antiquities. We enjoy them all. It's a nice day out, and you just might find a real treasure.
This past Sunday, we left really early, and stopped along the way for Johnny to paint. I'm posting about his painting adventures here in Umbria on our gallery blog...
Anyway, we left early, and by the time we got to the market, things were humming right along. There were loads of venders, and it was warm!
One of several streets of vendors at the market. It's huge!
Italians seem to love weird American kitsch culture...of course. You see lots of toys from our youth, as well as film memorobilia and music collectables. Vinyl is big...records, I mean.
Oh so tempting. Also creepy.
I'm always looking at the old rusty tools. This trip I did pick up a cool boot scraper. I don't know if I'll keep it here, or haul it back to California.
Our place here, The Nut, is small, and we can't really bring in anymore furniture, but it's always fun to look. We've pretty much bought all we need...right????
I don't know....On the other hand, I'm thinking we may really need this!!!
Anyway, we had a fun day, stopped at The Best Bar In The World on our way home, and made it back to The Nut in one piece.
I'd say it was a successful day out! Can't wait to see where we go next...
