Well it is early on the 26th yesterday was a great day, the weather was back up at 27 degrees. What the difference a few days makes! Although after watching the English TV we are now worried about the impending hurricane weather about to batter the UK – so stay safe all of those at home.
We had agreed to help our friends who live on the outskirts of Lucca, they had three very large but dead Cedar trees which were in danger of falling on their house or their neighbor’s olive orchard but either way they had to come out. We had visited the property once before and felt that it was a little out of our experience, so we roped in our Italian friend.
OMG he is amazing, no ropes nothing other than his small chainsaw attached to his belt he climbed this 25ft tree (I am guess this is how tall it was, to me it looked a lot bigger), there was a little wind blowing and as he reached the top of the tree you could see it sway with his weight. On the ground we were just in awe, he was not in anyway phased by the prospect.
My friends looked on in amazement; I had also taken Charlie (our grandson) who ended up taking a video for YouTube it was just one of those experiences that leaves you feeling like you haven’t lived. Humbled and inferior, now I am afraid of heights but oh how I wish I could do what he did. So, one of my New Years Resolutions is going to be to overcome my fear of heights so that I can learn this skill of climbing trees.
I absolutely love working with the trees and in the forest and this forms part of the garden here at Sensone with over 100 acres of Chestnut forest gaining knowledge and experience in this area is important and this is the second time that my Italian friend has left me speechless. One of our dreams is to turn the forest back into a well maintained workable chestnut forest. It is slow progress but we are starting to clear large parts of the forest from dead and fallen trees which scatter the grounds. Being mountainside it is not always the easiest of task, but we are persistent and always up for a challenge.
The whole day was spent cleaning up the debris (we will need to go back once the leaves have had a chance to weather and fall) to clean up. But we had a wonderful lunch prepared by Andy’s wife, sitting by their newly installed pool, the sun truly shone on us as we ate vegetable soup prepared by their father who is Italian and before retiring to Lucca ran and owned a restaurant in the UK (yummy), cold meats and hams, whilst also savoring some of the local wine of the area.
The rolling hills of Valgiano famous throughout Tuscany for producing some of the best wines and it certainly is a beautiful place with all its manicured slopes covered in row, upon rows of vines. The hillside dotted with huge poplars’ which normally denote a farmhouse nestled secretly amidst the fields laid out like a beautiful handmade patchwork quilt.
Thankfully it wasn’t an area greatly affected by the recent storms; infact there wasn’t any noticeable water damage, although our friends had a problem with the old window shutters to one side of their property, which caused a little bit of water seepage into the rooms. But nothing that a quick mop and bucket couldn’t resolve.
It was a long day but what an experience and we finished the day having a private dinner with friends although leaving before midnight (which is unheard of for me) we left knowing that we all had to get up early for today’s adventure.
So here I am 5.30am on a Sunday morning, worrying about the days events. We are off to Bagni di Lucca for a white knuckle ride! (Mind you there is still time for me to chicken out!), we are going White Water Rafting. I can swim, Richard and Charlie are great swimmers, but me well lets hope if I fall in I can at least keep my head above the raging waters.
To be cont……….
Article by Sensone
