2 day(s) ago
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Yes - it's true ! We've at last harnessed the sun's energy !
http://bit.ly more
2 day(s) ago
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New event. Click more to see it
1 week(s) ago
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A garden feature at this time of year are big, fearsome-looking, (but in fact rather nice), jet-black bumble bees with irridescent blue wings.
The female constructs tiny nests of mud and sand in which to lay her eggs.
Take a look - http://youtu.be more
1 week(s) ago
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1 week(s) ago
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1 week(s) ago
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Surprise garden hit of the year so far are three cardoons, bought last year for 1€ the lot as tiny little shoots and now 8ft wide monsters - and still growing.
Huge felt-like leaves; nary a thorn; big purple flowers still to come; and the young shoots an edible delicacy.
Undemanding too in terms of being looked after. Is this the plant that has everything ? more
3 week(s) ago
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3 week(s) ago
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The latest in my Italy Vino vodcast series is just out. Featured this month is a fabulous Barolo - a perfect red to go with any red meat. (And to liven up a soggy Spring in the UK !) more
3 week(s) ago
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Sun's out. Temperature's rising. Forecast's good. AND WE'RE TAKING THE POOL COVER OFF TODAY !
3 week(s) ago
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Yesss !! more
1 month(s) ago
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Very pleased we've just passed a rigorous security check - including a 5-hr computer scan - run by the credit card industry's worldwide regulatory body.
We needed this to be allowed to continue processing card payments for Vf2 holidays - by far and away the quickest, easiest, safest method for us and our guests alike. more
1 month(s) ago
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One of the things I love about Italy...
When you buy 100 boxes of salt for the swimming pool's annual top-up, nobody bats an eyelid at the supermarket check-out.
1 month(s) ago
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If you like white wine...and if you like Sauvignon Blanc...you're going to *love* this bottle from Italy's Sud Tirol-Alto Adige region.
Take a look at my latest Italy Vino vid to find out more... more
1 month(s) ago
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The still pic I originally posted doesn't really do full justice to the amazing Villa d'Este - so check out the new vid ! more
2 month(s) ago
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The 16th century gardens and fountains at the Villa d'Este in Tivoli - about 20 miles to the east of Rome.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Villa d'Este is easily reached from Vf2 and is an amazing day out. more
2 month(s) ago
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A surprise - and very welcome - visitor at Vf2 yesterday. This is a Giant Peacock Moth. With a wingspan of up to 150mm/6ins, it's the largest moth in Europe.
Suspect this one had just emerged from its cocoon as it was warming-up in the sun. more
2 month(s) ago
New status update
Still floating gently back to earth after watching Cirque du Soleil live for the first time in Rome last night.
Magical and breathtaking.
Normal service will be resumed once I've stopped smiling.
2 month(s) ago
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The pace quickens.
Weather's good - and now it's time for the annual battle with our acre of Abruzzo that's defied winter snows to just carry on growing.
This time next month, we'll be thinking about buying a couple of hundred kilos of salt and getting the pool ready for summer.
2 month(s) ago
New status update
First Vf2 guests of 2012 leave today after a week of glorious spring temperatures.
And now more snow's forecast for the weekend. Just a little - but snow nevertheless.
Next week - spring allegedly back for good. We'll see...
2 month(s) ago
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The latest wine vid. In the glass this time round, my best favourite Montepulciano D'Abruzzo - the delicious and seductive 'Testarossa' from the Pasetti winery. more
3 month(s) ago
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Well no, they're not wildly exciting to look at are they, but here are the solar panels on our house - same set-up on our rental villas too - ready for action.
Only slight surprise in the installation was that I always thought they were black, but they're actually a very dark blue.
All we need now is some sun... more
3 month(s) ago
New status update
At long last, our solar panels are currently being fitted to our house and the villas, which'll make us greener and eco-friendlier.
I wanted to post a photo - but the panels are invisible from ground level. The only way I can check if they're actually there is to get into the car and drive round the other side of the valley and take a look thru binoculars !
3 month(s) ago
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3 month(s) ago
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Our new-look website launched today ! Drop in and have a look round... more
3 month(s) ago
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The tension's building...the launch of the new-look Villasfor2 website draws closer...
3 month(s) ago
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Believe it or not, this is all actually starting to thaw... more
3 month(s) ago
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Love Rocco to bits, but delicate he ain't when he's behind the wheel of a tractor with a snow-plough attachment.
Snow's all cleared from drive. And half the drive's been cleared off the drive too.
Luckily, some resurfacing was already planned. Just as well...
And now (roll of drums) WE'RE GOING SHOPPING !
3 month(s) ago
New status update
After a week masquerading as an igloo under 20ins of snow and constant sub-zero temps, the car started first time.
Let's hear it for the good people at SUBARU !
Now all I need is for Rocco to come and tractor a path through the snow so's I can actually drive out.
Which is moderately urgent as we've run out of pretty much everything...
3 month(s) ago
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3 month(s) ago
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Stained glass Birman cat on a snowy background more
3 month(s) ago
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Ruin in the snow. more
3 month(s) ago
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The last rose of summer... more
3 month(s) ago
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My latest Italy Vino video review is out now.
This month's featured special Italian wine is a Valpolicella Ripasso 2006 from the area between Verona and Lake Garda. It's a delicious wine, perfect to go with a special-occasion meal.
Find out more on YouTube - http://youtu.be more
4 month(s) ago
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Lauren - for you ! more
4 month(s) ago
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It's just thrill-a-minute excitement overload here at the moment - our new solar panels are coming on Friday !
Only possible downside is that at the moment assorted roofs (Rooves ? No...Roofs) where the panels are going are covered in snow.
4 month(s) ago
New status update
Very excited that new for 2012 we've lined-up guided walking tours of the wonderful Majella National Park with English-speaking former shepherd Giuseppe He'll take our guests along old herding trails not on any maps and show them a side of the Majella known only to a very few.
4 month(s) ago
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As a former journalist, I support Wikipedia's stance on this issue. more
4 month(s) ago
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Fuming at the greed and stupidity of decision by local government here that'll effectively destroy the scenic Aventino River in southern Abruzzo.
Without any public debate, a plan to dam the river to provide electricity has been sneaked through.
Yes, we need new electricity resources here, but NO - not at the expense of ruining the environment.
Strenuous opposition's being mobilised. Please join the Amici Dell'Aventino group on FB - it's in Italian, but you'll get the drift and it needs all the more
4 month(s) ago
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Sorry for the temporary lack of posts - working like crazy at the moment on our website revamp !
5 month(s) ago
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There's a new look to my latest Italy Vino wine vid, out now on YouTube. Having tasted and rated over around 50 everyday Italian wines over the past year, Italy Vino has moved up the scale, with Italy's best, special occasion wines now featured.
Starting off the new series is a 2008 Nebbiolo d'Alba from Piedmont. Take a look - http://youtu.be more
5 month(s) ago
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A seasonal pic of Abruzzo's Gran Sasso in winter to wish the best of Christmas cheer to Facebook Friends; to everyone who's Liked us in 2011; and to everyone who's simply dropped by to browse.
Thanks for all your help and support during the year - we really do appreciate it. more
5 month(s) ago
New status update
Every morning, there's a big flower market in Rome's Campo de Fiori. At Christmas-time, there are wonderful displays of poinsettia and artfully-made arrangements of pine boughs, fruit and winter berries. more
5 month(s) ago
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Great day on our annual outing to Rome yesterday. Thought you'd like to see the fabulous 'Italian Flag' Christmas lights in the Via del Corso... more
5 month(s) ago
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Snow's forecast here next week. This recipe will keep out the winter chill ! more
5 month(s) ago
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Another from the Abruzzo scrapbook...
This is the famous 'Fontana delle 99 Cannelle' (Fountain of the 99 Spouts) in L'Aquila.
Dating from the 13th century, the fountain is rich in legend and only partially-deciphered symbolism. It was damaged in the 2009 earthquake, but is now fully restored.
You can discover more about this mysterious Abruzzo landmark in my blog: http://bit.ly more
5 month(s) ago
New status update
Last night's jolly in Fossacesia lived-up to the billing on an evening incredibly balmy for December. Nice way to end the year's fairs and festas. Uncrowded; good wine; good company; a delicious confection filled with Montepulciano D'Abruzzo grape jelly; and a masterclass in polenta-making.
And Terre del Sud in their usual fine form.
What's next ? Oh yes - Christmas... more
5 month(s) ago
New status update
The last Festa of the year today - and it promises to be a goodie...
So off to the Palazzio in nearby Fossacesia on the coast for new wine and vino novello; plus good stalls selling local nibbles; plus a Christmas Market; plus our favourite Abruzzo band Terre del Sud.
Add a few of our friends to the mix and we have all the ingredients of a fine evening in prospect.
(And luckily it's all under cover as the nights are getting a bit chily...)
5 month(s) ago
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Today I go Christmas shopping. One item off the list is Christmas cards. For whatever reason, Italians don't seem to send them - and those that *are* available are truly tacky.
So we buy our Christmas cards from the UK online- and the silly thing is that when we give one to our Italian friends, they're charmed and delighted.
(Just wait til we hit them with Big Ben and Auld Lang's Syne on New Year's Eve...)
6 month(s) ago
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As promised, here are another five tried-and-trusted Abruzzo restaurants near Villasfor2. On offer this time round: fantastic pizzas in a former church; gourmet dining on a terrace overlooking the Majella; and slow food in Pescara ! more
6 month(s) ago
New status update
If there's an image unique to our stretch of the southern Abruzzo coast, it has to be this - a Traboccho.
These are traditional fishing platforms you'll see jutting out into the Adriatic along what's known as the 'Costa dei Trabocchi' between Ortona and Vasto.
While some trabocchi still produce fish you can buy at roadside stalls, an increasing number are being turned into smart - and expensive - bars and restaurants. more
