When I worked in Milan I would sometimes walk past one of those high walls which people seem to love; Ive nevr quite understood why privacy is so protected. I'm thinking of the bungalows in Brianza surrounded by high walls and comparing them to English houses with (mostly) beautiul gardens ondisplay and a low wall… Continue reading Winter Sweet-the joys and sorrows of gardening
Category: My Diary
Christmas Carols
Every year I try and send some carols to my students .Carols not songs. I really HATE Chrismas songs like that whine-y "Last Christmas" by George MichaeI. I try and send a good variety, not too churchey although we owe so much of our language and culture to the church, and I do have some… Continue reading Christmas Carols
The unexpected side effects of the Luganega di Monza!
Well here's a turn-up for the books! On Sunday I went to see a demonstration of how they make Luganega, a typical Brianzola sausage which has been rescued from oblivion by the butcher Viganò. We all sat with our chairs facing the stage to watch how it is done. Lean pork, bacon, Grana Padano cheese,… Continue reading The unexpected side effects of the Luganega di Monza!
Verde Grazzano, again
This is a small but rather interesting garden event, I think this was its fifth year. Probably just a little bit too small but it does have the added attraction of the "medieval" village all around the castle with shops that sell everything from lavander sachets to salame, and of course some good restaurants specialising… Continue reading Verde Grazzano, again
Eyes Wide Open
My mother told me that when I was a baby I hated going to sleep. She also said that when I was a toddler and was supposed to have a little nap, she would find me asleep yes, but sitting up in my pram and with my fingers trying to hold open my eyes! And… Continue reading Eyes Wide Open
Villa Carlotta
Who cares about a spot of rain? Well certainly not the fearless Garden Club members! We all crowded onto the ferry and sat on the few (nearly) dry seats to admire the loveliness of lake Como wreathed in the mists. We arrived at Villa Carlotta, one of the Grandi Giardini Italiani, to be greeted by… Continue reading Villa Carlotta
An unusual,old fashioned and almost forgotten pleasure!
I have some beautiful brown leather brogues, bought years ago when we were not as animal-friendly as we are today, and paid for in lire! I think they make me look very English and I can assure you that gardening shows are the only place left to flaunt one's Englishness with pride! So after several… Continue reading An unusual,old fashioned and almost forgotten pleasure!
A Tragi-comic Story with an Unexpected Happy Ending.
I have a young olive tree in my garden; I bought it from a seller with a truck along the roadside, not much hope there I' m afraid. I have no idea what it really is, I mean the botanical classification but anyway it's a kind of homage to Italy because together with those lovely… Continue reading A Tragi-comic Story with an Unexpected Happy Ending.
A Little Bit of Unpretentious Heaven.
Go outside and relax....NOW!
In Praise of Masks
Let's take a look at the tradition of masking. The Venetians were big in this field as carnival time was a moment in all Europe to upset traditional hierarchies even for a day, but was particularly keenly felt in Venice where social hierarchies were extremely rigid. Masks had a practical purpose, that of secrecy, but… Continue reading In Praise of Masks
English that grows 