Delizioso! Italy is the birthplace of some of out favourite foods, so where better to have a culinary adventure?

Another Discovery at Cancello Est

We discovered this ornate brick today - an eight-pointed star which has been carved onto the face of a totally square brick.  Adriana, the Fresco expert says it dates from the 14th or 15th century and believes it was part of the original eastern gate of the village of Gualdo. 

According to christianity, the eight-pointed star is the Star of Redemption or Regeneration and represents baptism. Eight is traditionally the number of regeneration, and thus many baptismal fonts have an octagonal base. 

Providing added significance is the assumption that Jesus was circumcised and named when he was eight days old (the traditional Jewish practice); baptism is seen as the New Testament equivalent of circumcision.

Finally, eight persons were saved in Noah's ark, which is another Old Testament parallel of baptism.

Well, we feel it is quite apt as there is certainly a lot of regeneration going on at Cancello Est. 
If anyone can throw any more light on this we would really appreciate the feedback. We have forwarded to the local historical offices for more information. 

We are Floored for Christmas!

 Our builders have completed the top floor floors on Cancello Est.  It has been an interesting engineering project to ensure that the property is stable and now earthquake proof.

A metal frame was secured to all the outer walls and "pinned" through the meter thick walls. Then a metal grid floor was welded on covering the entire floor space in every room.  Apparently, this structure will hold everything tight and secure and reinforce the floors and walls. I guess the old lady is now well corseted and all her featured tightly knitted together, keeping her firm and secure against anything Mother Nature may throw at her in the future!

 Next stage is the underfloor heating and the finish touch - the 16th Century honey coloured tiles.

Marche - Land of Magic

Craftsman versus Artist

They say that a man who works with his hands is a craftsman. I disagree. When you see the painstaking renovation of Cancello Est I think we are surrounded by artists.

This picture shows how our wonderful builders have recreated the roof and recycled the 17th Century tiles whilst hiding the 21st Century ones that will keep our guests warm and dry. Sadly residents won't see this detail as its three storeys above their heads.  Its a shame as it looks good enough to eat!

The Old Lady Reveals More Secrets

 As we peel back the layers of nearly 400 years of DIY and bad restoration Cancello Est continues to surprise us.  Now the roof structure has been completed the builders are busy removing walls and floors on the top floor which will eventually provide us with four luxury rooms all en-suite. These suites will have spectacular views of the Sibillini Mountains, the Grand Sasso and the National Park.

The floors, over the years had become a bit of a Mille Feuille with all the various layers added over the centuries. Sixty centimetres in total.

The first layer that was removed is 120 year old Terracotta floor tiles which are a rich red in colour and these will be recycled for the "cantina" area which will become the guest lounge, Bar, Dining Room and Cooking School.

The next layer was of course cement and underneath the builders discovered a deep layer at least 50 centimetres of compacted river sand and and earth.


The final reveal was the original 17th Century floor tiles that miraculously have been beautifully preserved against the ravages of time. They are  the most beautiful honey colour which is typical of the Marche region.

Now the walls are floors are removed the rebuilding begins with new beams, insulation, underfloor heating and of course the fully restored recycled floor tiles. Can't wait to see the finished floors  which the builders say should be before Christmas.

Its hard to comprehend that this magnificent building was constructed during the coronation of Charles I and has survived wars, famine and earthquakes.

Let it Snow,Let It Snow, Let it Snow

Could be famous last words - but we have had our first snow falls on the mountains and it all looks very festive and postcard Christmassy.  Gualdo is looking particularly festive and have put all the Christmas lights up in the historic area of town - we even have a set of lights outside Cancello Est.

Christmas Cake made, pickles done, Mince Pies in the oven - just need to add friends and family for the perfect Christmas

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.

Copper Guttering added to Complete the Roof

The finishing touches to the roof refurbishment is the addition of wonderful copper gutters that will drain the rainwater into tanks so that in can be recycled for garden use and to fill the pool.

Looks pretty amazing just hope we don't have to polish it every week !

The Street where we live (Eventually) Autumn Colours Amazing !

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!

Not a Cloud in the Sky and the New Roof Continues a Pace

As you can see from the pictures hardly a cloud in the sky and no rain which is just as well when you don't have a roof. 

The old tiles are being carefully recycled and relayed as coping stones to hold the new roof. A "basque" of metal beams have been inserted to tighten up the wall structure and to make Cancello Est as earthquake proof as possible.

Roof construction seems to be a bit of an art here in Italy. The roof has to be able to withstand snow at one end of the scale and soaring summer temperatures at the other. The construction is achieved with seven different layers of material that fit snuggly on the beams.

Terracotta tiles (the honey colour is unique to the Marche region),  a layer of wire mesh, a layer of mortar, a layer of insulation, another layer of mortar and then two layers of u-shaped roof tiles - One facing up and one facing down. Remarkable.

The architect tells us that the outside should be totally complete by next Friday and we can then start on the inside.

Never would have thought we would be so excited about roofing - (usually just the roof wetting!)

Look at the wonderful view we have looking towards Smerillo

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.

On a Clear day you can see forever!

Apologies to Ms Streisand - but we are absolutely thrilled with the great wall of Gualdo! 

From the pool you can actually see the Grand Sasso, 230km away and its wonderful. Imagine relaxing in the warm waters on a balmy Italian day with that view! 


The "Great Wall" is taking shape and almost complete - the next stage is to get the south facing side of the house stripped, pointed and made waterproof. 

We needed the garden area secure and earthquake proof so that the rest of the renovations can commence. 

Watch this space!

 

A Pool with a View

Stage two of the pool construction is complete - its coming along perfectly - the decision to convert a non usable foundation stabilising room into a pool was the right one.

One things for sure, guests who bathe are going to have the most spectacular view of the Sibilini Mountains!

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.

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 Face Lift Continues

Before and After - the reconstruction of the Grande Madame of Gualdo continues. Scaffolding has been erected and the 1930 plaster is being chipped away by hand to reveal the locally hewn natural stone.

12th century building techniques are being used to restore the facade to its original honey coloured exterior.

Desperate for the completion of the outside so we can see what lurks beneath the plaster internally and finally see the much talked about frescoes.

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