Car Commercial with Hot Chicks……….. not like this!

A Meal I Waited 55 Years For!

Well, its finally happened - I have had the best meal of my life. Today we went to Restaurant Il Tiglio in the mountainous village of Montemonaco which is nestled in the stunningly breathtaking Sibillini National Park. The weather was glorious which made the 45 minute trip there wonderful.

We sat at 12h30 and finally had some coffee at 16h30 - what a wonderful way to spend your birthday - special friends, special food and of course exceptional wine! A cellar here to be marvelled catalogued as a old bible  of wine

Here are some highlights of the 11 course degustation menu - well worth a visit when you are in Marche. There were other courses but in my excitement for the food, I forgot to take pictures.

White Truffle Ice Cream to tease the Mouth with Parmesan Fitters

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and different salts to tease the palate 

Tongue with basil and herb salad 

Carrot cooked with a curry jus and pureed carrot (Grapefruit Foam - yummy)

Mushrooms, Mushrooms and Mushrooms

Fois Gras

Cinghale Ragu with a lime sauce  

Pigeon with cherries 

Herb ice cream with crushed almonds and basil tea 

Milk chocolate mousse with beer ice cream and rich chocolate 

Hazelnut ice cream 

Spring Flowers Coming into their Glory

Tulips welcoming Spring ( and some fantastic warm weather in Gualdo). After such a long winter the colours really give a lift to the soul with promises of summer to come.

Spring time is one of Marches' best kept secrets!

Spring is Busting out all Over!

Spring has sprung, temperatures rising daily and after a chilly winter everything is is bud and starting to look glorious. Its the most wonderful time of the year!

Trash or Treasure and a Coincidence

More gifts from the Cantina.  This plate may be rubbish,  but does remind us of one of our all-time favourite movies "Tea with Mussolini". That coincidence I am sure will elevate it to treasure.

In other cities such as Florence, most or all of their towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes, or urban renewal, San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying heights, for which it is known internationally. It is now a UNESCO Heritage site 




Some of the towers are:

• Torre Grossa, (1311) 54 metres
• Torre della Rognosa, 51 metres
• Torre Cugnanesi
• Torre del Diabolo
• Torri degli Ardinghelli
• Torri dei Salvucci
• Torre Chigi, (1280)
• Torre Pettini

Discovery in the Cantina

When clearing out the Cantina today we came across a box full of broken china. Not sure if its treasure or trash but really impressed with this little gem. 

It looks hand painted, and is a good interpretation of the Square in Ascoli Piceno which is shown in the second picture.  

The inscription says "50th Anniversary of the invalids of the war - 1917- 1967. Only 46 years old and 44 years to go before it becomes an Antique! 

Ascoli is  one of out favourite destination and only about 45 minutes from Cancello Est. 

The central historical part of the city is built in marble called travertino, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo ("Square of the People") is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno was home to more than two hundred towers in the Middle Ages: today some fifty can still be seen.

Bridal Suite Fresco - Stage one

Don't worry - the cracks and the rogue plaster will disappear during stage two  As a bridal suite we think this is starting to become quite a special place to wake up on the first day of your honeymoon!

Say it with flowers - a message from the Fresci

An excerpt from the Bridal Suite Fresco - next stage is cleaning, touching up and sealing - dated to 1780 - amazing

Italian Attitude to Fast Food!

Spotted today at Val Di Chienti where a new Macdonald's has recently opened.  And remember Graffiti was invented by the Italians! I think they may have a point!

Where Eagles Dare!

Wonderful sight from Cancello Est this morning - a pair of eagles were swopping over the new roof and enjoying the winter sun.

It's remarkable that there is such incredible wildlife so close to us. Probably due to the fact that we overlook the Sibillini National Park and the wondrous snow capped peaks of the mountains.

Crowning Glory Completed

Now the roof has been completed (with an extra chimney) the builders have started to renovate the inside of Cancello Est.

This is the first bedroom to go under the hammer and we are amazed at how much larger the rooms look with the walls removed and the windows lengthened to create french doors.

This suite will have great uninterrupted views to the Grand Sasso from the front and from the other window all the way to the sea.

Please note that the builders lunch table is not indicative of future furnishings!!!!

Before and After - Breathing Life into the Facade!

Work is well underway with the outside of Cancello Est and the painstaking restoration is starting to pay dividends.

The first picture is the "before" - dreadful flaking plaster that was slapped on in the 70's and then white washed. (Why?)

This has been removed by hand with chisels and wire brushes to reveal the beautiful honey coloured stone so typical of this part of Italy.

Picture two shows the contrast and it is still a work in process. Next job ( apart from elbow grease with the wire brush) is repoint with Marbletta which will not only make the walls water and damp proof but also make a very pleasing honey coloured facade.

The builders should be starting on the inside on Friday and the outside complete - so exciting.

Also need to compliment the builders - good old fashioned work ethic and amazing workmanship. Well done Antonio and team!

Exceptional floods leave half of Venice under water

Our hearts go out to the people of Venice.  After days of rain, water in Venice rises to a height of 55 inches above sea level, flooding many shops and buildings. Flooding has intensified in Venice leaving the landmark of St Mark's Square under waters 24 inches deep.

Some 58 per cent of the city was reportedly covered by the flood waters. Tourists could be seen wading through thigh-deep water as rain kept battering the square. Raised walkways have been placed around the historic centre to help people move around the city.Shops, basements and buildings have been flooded

While the canal city is used to high waters, they are putting the delicate system of the city under heavy stress.  

Click for the Full story and more pics

The Five Storeys of Gualdo

 Gualdo bathed in beautiful autumn sunshine with a newly shrouded Cancello Est encased in scaffolding ready for the intricate surgery that is starting on the South facing facade.

You now see how large the  property is when you see the expanse of the green surgeons gown.

The colours are starting to change of what is a very late autumn - in a few weeks the countryside will change into stunning hues of Gold, Red and and brown and bring another aspect of the Marche country side.  This of course is enhanced by the clean, clear Marche light.

Finally the tower of the original eastern gate to the village is rebuilt (with a cleverly designed swimming pool incorporated)

The honey coloured stone and marbilita look marvellous. It really does look like it was built in the 12th Century rather than yesterday. Now some railings and some clever planting in the garden will make the area look fabulous.

Autumns Harvest Making Christmas Tasty

We are enjoying an Indian Summer here at Cancello Est and apart from the beautiful Autumn colours, nature is providing us with some extra special, organic treats for the Christmas Table.

We followed the initiative of the locals and foraged and picked some of the most amazing produce and canned, pickled and bottled for the Christmas table.

Apple Jelly, Peach and Ginger Jam, Pickle Onions, Green Tomato Chutney, Chilli Jam, Chilli and Ginger Relish, Mint Jelly and of course Grape Jam from our own vines. All grown within 5kms of Gualdo and produced as Mother Nature intended - naturally.

Walnuts, Hazelnuts and Almonds have been picked and stored - we are looking forward to an organic Christmas table - hope you can join us.

Two Little Visitors Today

Not exactly a Spring Lamb but more of an Autumn Child - this little beauty was born a few hours ago and is looking so cute and fluffy.  The dogs are desperate to give it a good sniff but mother sheep will not let them any where near it.

The work Continues at a pace

Stage two of the foundations are now complete and we the second level (semi-clad in wood) will be the pool - underneath we have ended up with a pool room (or is it an air raid shelter).

Apparently the pool stage will be finished by Saturday - can't wait till they start cladding the cement box with the original 12th Century stones.

As soon as this area is finished scaffolding will be erected to restore the house facade to its former glory.

A Little rave for Old Fashioned Craftsman

In never thought I would ever ever find myself over the moon about brickwork. The stripping of the old cement and dreadful plaster has been competed on the Via Borgia side of the house. This all had to be done by hand as Sandblasting would have created such a mess for the wonderful neighbours (We want them to stay that way. The builders have used old fashioned building methods to get the correct effect and I must say its absolutely wonderful.

The Shrouded Old Lady of Gualdo looking towards the Historic Centre of the Village

“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his head is a craftsman. He who works with his head and his heart is an artist” 
St Francis of Assisi

The Old Lady of Gualdo is Finally Getting a Face Lift

 After a few months of intensive negotiation we have begun the restoration.

The old lady is currently clad in a corset of scaffolding and the face lift begins. The first objective is the outside walls and roof and indeed she is getting a "full support" corset of steel to ensure that not only can she withstand the extremes of weather but also the odd earthquake tantrum that Mother Nature occasionally throws in this area of Italy.




The great wall of Gualdo is now under construction and the "boys" are busy knitting the metal structure that will hold back the garden and of course support the swimming pool.

The swimming pool was was one of the areas of contention for the Commune in Gualdo as it is the first one to be allowed in the "Area Historicale" and the architect - Piero, had to jump through quite a few hoops to gain permission to build.

The garden area or "orto" is actually situated in the 11th century tower of the medieval village and of course we are rebuilding it it using the traditional methods of the time (backed with just a touch of concrete, which will be out of view as it has to be earthquake proof).

I just hope when the outside is finished this old lady  doesn't look like Joan Rivers sucking a lemon!  Hard to imagine that in a few months the breakfast terrace will be complete with great organic food, fabulous views and

Spotted in the Trees at Cancello Est

We cannot believe the abundance of wildlife particularly the Birdlife in and around Gualdo.  This is a European Woodpecker - a cheeky little fellow who lives in the copse that the property overlooks. 

Another reason we love Marche!