A day by the Adriatic Sea......

After promising ourselves for many months a trip to the sea, Nick and I finally made the trip which took just a little over an hour. We had heard from friends that the small town of Cesenatico would not disappoint and they were right!

Cesenatico lies 64 miles north-east of the Chestnut Barn on the Adriatic coast. The town dates from 1302, when the harbour was created and a fortress built to protect the town. In 1502 the famous renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned by Cesare Borgia to design the harbour canal. It was from here on the 2^nd August 1849, that Garibaldi sailed with his wife and 200 members of his army to save Venice from the Austrians. Today, ten traditional sailing boats or ‘bragozzi’ line the canal and are a sight to behold, especially when used as part of the towns many festivals which take place during the summer months, the brightly coloured sails or ‘Vele a terzo’ compliment the colourfully decorated homes and businesses that line the canal on both sides. The town also boasts a wonderful Maritime Museum dedicated to the seafaring history of the port and coastline, as well as the small but interesting museum, which uncovers the Roman history and archaeological finds of the area.

The beach is sandy and is normally lined with umbrellas and loungers which can be hired for the day, it being October the loungers had been stacked away for the winter. Now it was dotted with the odd Italian couple enjoying the sunshine and the plus 30 degree temperature before the autumnal weather firmly took hold. The sea was also very warm and Nick and I enjoyed a walk along the shore letting the waves gently lap at our feet, others were more adventurous diving from the breakwater! 

Cesenatico is renowned for the ‘Adriatic Blue fish dish’ the name taken from the colour of the fishes dorsal fin, which is available in most of the fish restaurants that line the old canal, the choice of fish and shellfish available is amazing and it is all freshly caught. There was nothing nicer than sitting there gazing out over the water towards the boats whilst enjoying a fish lunch and a nice chilled glass of white wine to compliment the dish....We had a great day and will definitely be back with our friends in tow........

Ciao Catherine x

La Balestra - Sansepolcro

Le Feste del Palio della Balestra - a step back into the past....

It is a traditional event that takes place annually every second Sunday in September in the Piazza Torre di Berta in Sansepolcro, between the neighbouring towns of Sansepolcro and Gubbio. The participants of all ages dress up in sumptuous medieval costumes; the dresses are made in heavy, richly coloured velvets, embroidered with various coloured braids. There are processions and parades through the streets, banquets with dishes of the period, banner games and the biturgense flag wavers, who are a definite ‘must see’, their art has made them famous all over the world.   

The procession begins with drum rolls and trumpets blasting in accord, as medieval uniformed men lead the flag throwers into the arena where the brilliantly coloured and richly embossed symbolic fabrics are thrown high into the air and caught again by their long poles.   

Trumpets hail the arrival of the civic dignitaries from both towns who take up their seats in prime positions. We are now looking through a portal into another dimension, one side of the arena is medieval, beautiful young women in tall pointed hats of rich velvet and ribbons that drift across the breeze, dresses in silks and satins of all colours, young men aristocratically clad, with bloomers, silk-stockings, buckles on their shoes and chains of office and rank around their necks, all capturing the mood perfectly. The bowmen, dressed as if marching into battle, occupy their left, at an angle of ninety degrees, in the other corner of the square, 21^st century digital cameras, their flashlights competing to frame an image of this magnificent spectacle, whilst the media are positioned expediently to capture the event for a much wider audience.   

The main event is the crossbow shooting competition, which is taken very seriously. Tension fills the air as each side fires their handmade, decoratively carved crossbow in the order previously ‘plucked from a hat’ by the officials. The target or 'corniolo' is a black circular wooden disc on which sits a coned disc with a diameter of three inches, white in colour, to stand out from the dark background. From their positions some thirty six metres away, their crossbows finely balanced and seated on wooden rostrums, the bowman release their individualised bolts (a shorter form of an arrow) or 'verrette' and there is a crack as each string is freed from its tension; the air resonates with the sound of these beautifully made missiles travelling in the space between bowman and target, all eyes try to follow, heads turn in unison and the action culminates with another crack and a roar of appreciation from the crowd. The accuracy of each shot is to be marveled at; the target fills up slowly, soon it will resemble the feathered headdress of an American Indian. Some attempts fail and shattered and frayed wood and feathers fall to the ground, the days and months that went into their making, a distant memory in the thoughts of the artisans that lovingly balanced and formed them, they are unique to them and so easily identified if fortune should favour them.

The target is eventually removed from its position in front of the Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena, and taken away; officials from both camps, select from behind closed doors the winning bolt, the one that survived the onslaught from seventy or more of its competitors, vying for the same tiny spot but remaining firmly lodged in it’s heart. The air fills with tension as the winners name is finally revealed and this victory goes to Sansepolcro. The piazza is filled with cheers from the crowd and chants of jubilation ring out through the ancient narrow streets. It will be another eight months before the friendly rivalry is challenged, this time in Gubbio....  

If you would like to learn more about the way of life,  the local people and the wonderful towns and festivals held in Northern Tuscany then follow me on my journey in 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' and 'Back to Tuscany and the Barn', both of which are available in digital format and paperback through Amazon.

Enjoy..Ciao Catherine x

(Photos courtesy of Steve Munday)

Anghiari...a medieval jewel in the Tiber Valley...

Anghiari by night

Anghiari, a jewel in the Tiber Valley

Anghiari is a breathtakingly beautiful ancient fortified hilltop town which lies roughly 13 miles south of the Chestnut Barn. At night the town takes on an air of magic and you briefly feel like a time-traveler in a medieval time-warp. 

It's a town of stone buildings, terracotta tiles, rounded
Romanesque and square medieval towers and round

Anghiari by day

headed arched window recesses, supported by neatly carved pillars.

Coned and pyramid shaped roofs with intricately forged weather-vanes stretch towards the sky and you expect too see a damsel in distress and  long thin, brightly coloured silken flags curling in the breeze.

We had no idea that we were walking in the footsteps of one of the first Archbishops of Canterbury, the famous Saint, Thomas Becket who had been here in 1164.

Anghiari has much to offer with many museums and churches full of history and art. The narrow flagstone back streets have a charm all of their own and the views across the Tiber plain are stunning. There is a wide choice of restaurants to suit all budgets and there is a weekly market held on Wednesday morning.

To learn more about the beautiful town of Anghiari and its history read A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany or Back to Tuscany and the Barn or better still enjoy it first hand and come and stay at the Chestnut Barn and follow in my footsteps...for more info check out www.achestnutbarnintuscany.com 

Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera, Citta di Castello.......

Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera

The view from the palace loggia

Last week Nick and I spent a wonderful day with friends strolling around the narrow flagstone streets of Citta di Castello, a beautiful medieval town which lies 42 kilometres south of the Chestnut Barn...followed by a long delicious lunch at one of our favourite restaurants called Le Logge.

One of the highlights was a visit to the stunning Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera which was originally built between 1521 and 1545 to celebrate the marriage of Alessandro Vitelli and Angela Rossi. The palace now plays host as the Municipal Art Gallery and houses paintings and sculptures by a variety of artists, including the world renowned 

Raphael, who worked in Citta di Castello during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century. The banner of the Holy Trinity dates to 1499 and is the only remaining painting by Raphael that remains in Citta di Castello, it was one of the first works of art attributed to Raphael. The museum also houses a collection of bronzes by Bruno Bartoccini in the twenty one rooms dotted about the fresco covered ceilings and halls.

The rich black sgraffiti style decoration that is present on the facade is the collaboration of the famous Arezzo born artist Giorgio Vasari and Cristofano Gheradi. The embellished walls overlook the formal symmetrical gardens, which were once famous throughout Europe for their exotic plants....

Banner of the Trinity 

If you ever visit Citta di Castello there is lots to see and do, there are weekly markets and festivals, one of which includes the famous truffle festival which is held every October...For lunch or dinner I do recommend Le Logge which is located just off the main piazza, the food, wine list and service is first class, you will not be disappointed...to find out more you can read all about it in my second book...'Back to Tuscany and the Barn'... 

Ciao Catherine x

Villa La Ripa - Wine tasting...

Yesterday Nick and I, together with twelve other friends returned to Villa La Ripa, the vineyard located at Antria on the outskirts of Arezzo to spend a morning wine tasting. Our host Saverio Luzzi and his assistant Silvia were as welcoming as always and delighted us with yet more wonderful stories about the Villa and how it came to be, as well as answering all our questions about wine making and the fermentation process.

Here are a few pictures of the magnificent Villa which is home to Saverio, his wife and his daughter as well as his two new German Shepherd puppies Sherlock and Margo.

TI

Each room reveals something to delight, whether it be a statue, the stump of a sixty year old vine or a beautiful fresco.

It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and beauty of the Villa and for me the wine tasting is just an added bonus. Villa La Ripa produces between 6000 - 7000 bottles of wine per year, three of which are red and one rose. They are called Psyco, Tiratari, Peconio and the rose, Spaziolibero. My personal favourite being the Peconio.

You can read more about Villa La Ripa and its delicious wines in my book 'Back to Tuscany and the Barn' which is available at Amazon in both paperback and digital formats.

Ciao Catherine xx

Apple picking in Tuscany!

We awoke to yet another beautiful day in Tuscany and a couple of hours was spent apple picking with good friends. The month of July was unusually wet for this region, however it does seem to have boosted this years fruit crops....and there is nothing nicer than a slice of mature Pecorino cheese with a crisp juicy apple and a nice glass of red to wash it down with...Salute! 

Whilst writing we had another fabulous review from guests that stayed at the Chestnut Barn during August...

If you too would like to stay at the Chestnut Barn, please check out our website at www.achestnutbarnintuscany.com  where we are already taking bookings for next year!

Summer at the Chestnut Barn

The Chestnut Barn is available to rent on a weekly basis from May 2015 through until the beginning of October 2015. Bookings are already being taken, so for full information on the Chestnut Barn visit www.achestnutbarnintuscany.com 

Come and stay and follow in my footsteps, visit the beautiful cliff top towns and immerse yourself within the wonderful Italian countryside.....take a stroll through the ancient chestnut groves and enjoy the breathtaking views from the gazebo. 

Relax by the private pool that is surrounded by chestnut and oak forest and sits nestled on the hillside overlooking the mountain, Monte il Castello. The absence of ambient light is an astronomers dream and during the month of July is only rivaled by the natural spectacle created by the fireflies. 

We look forward to seeing you soon....

Ciao Catherine x

What a year!

WHAT A YEAR!!

So much has happened this year that I have unfortunately let my Blog suffer, but hopefully now that I am back on track,  I will be able to dedicate more time and provide you with regular updates from the Chestnut Barn.

Much of the beginning of this year was spent finishing the sequel to the book 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' which over the last year became a Number One bestseller on Amazon. The story continues now in 'Back to Tuscany and the Barn' which was published in digital format on the 29th July by Autharium, and is now also available in paperback through Amazon. If you do get the chance to read it, a review would be much appreciated....Ciao Catherine x

News from the 'Chestnut Barn' - May 2013

It is now May and the last few weeks seem to have passed so quickly, my apologies for not writing sooner, however my time and efforts have been taken up with trying to promote my e-book 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' which was published in March.

 

The e-book is now available for download in various formats from my publishers at 'Autharium.com' or alternatively from the following retailers:

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Kobo
WHSmiths
Waterstones
Tesco Ebooks
iBooks

The e-book sales are doing very well and over the last week or so 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' has been ranked within the top 10 best sellers on Amazon.com on books based about Tuscany (It's highest rank being No4) as you can imagine I am thrilled but could do with some more reviews. I have 10 on the Amazon.co.UK site but only 1 on the other.

 

There is also a feature soon to be published on the 'Italy Magazine' website together with a short story I have written called 'Stress, What stress? which is also based in Italy, this time in Orvieto in Umbria. I do hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to give it a read. Finally on the book front I am hoping to hear back from an American/Italian Publisher by the end of next week, hopefully they might agree to publish my ebook in print form, so if you are one of the few people that are yet to own an e-reader, or like me you still prefer the feel of a good old fashioned paperback book then watch this space.......

The view of the orchard/meadow at the 'Chestnut Barn'

On a lighter note Spring has definitely arrived at the 'Chestnut Barn' now and when not promoting my book or writing the next, I am busy working in the garden where there is much to be done. The shades of green on the trees and in the meadow grass at this time of year are amazing, it is wonderful to be immersed in such beauty and I think myself very privileged to be able to be part of it. The peace and tranquillity is only interrupted by the barks of a passing deer, which echoes through the wood together with the call of the cuckoo; a far cry from the hustle and bustle of our previous lives.

The weather is still a trifle unsettled, with short sharp and sometimes unpredictable showers of rain followed by prolonged and intense sunshine, the perfect growing weather! Unfortunately this years Mille Miglia car race was a bit of a wash out but that didn't stop us enjoying a fabulous lunch and gazing at all the vintage cars as well as the Ferrari's which came through our nearest town of Sansepolcro.

Well I best get back to work....next time I hope to have more news on life at the 'Chestnut Barn'.

 

 

 

   Sunshine and a day to remember........

  

 

 

 

Today I have three pieces of great news....Not only does it appear that Spring has finally arrived, after what seems to have been a very long drawn out, wet and snowy Winter at the 'Chestnut Barn'; but last night at 7.07pm European time it was announced after just 5 ballots that we have a new Pope, Pope Francis. Even more exciting for me is the fact that my ebook 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' is now available on Amazon.com priced at £3.99.

 

I am also hoping that an article I have written for the Italy Magazine, an online Magazine for lovers of all things Italian will be posted, which tells the story of the book and my publishing journey. 

'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' will be also be available over the next few weeks on Kobo and at various other online retailers.

 

Please do check it out, Chapter 1 is available for free. Any reviews would be much appreciated.

 

You can see my profile at www.Autharium.com

 

Happy reading!!!

Catherine Carabine - Catherine Carabine profile at Autharium

Catherine Carabine - Catherine Carabine profile at Autharium

Fantastic News!!!! 

My book 'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany' has been approved and published as an ebook on www.Autharium.com . The ebook will also be available on Amazon.com, Kobo, and iBooks over the next couple of weeks as well as some other leading retailers. The easy part over I now begin the mammoth task of marketing and spreading the word....

It is a true story which begins with an unexpected love affair of all things Italian.

An innocent evening stroll whilst on holiday, through the narrow ancient stone paved

streets of a medieval Italian hill town, leads to a proposal and a heart rending revelation being uncovered once back in England. The discovery subsequently steers a course to a very different way of life.

A Tuscan wedding follows together with a glimpse into the everyday life of the local Italians encountered along the way. An unfortunate accident causes a life threatening illness but the warmth, generosity and kindness shown by the Italian people comes to the fore.

All this is combined with an insight into some of the highs and lows of purchasing renovating and living in an old ruin nestled deep in the forest of the Northern Tuscan hills.

Not just a must read for lovers of all things Italian but a look at the trials and tribulations that go hand in hand with a complete lifestyle change.  

Any reviews would be most welcome. Read and Enjoy!!

The view from the Chestnut Barn...

The view from the chestnut barn.....

Saturday morning has arrived which means yet  more editing, formatting and reading of my manuscript.....'A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany'.  On Monday I hope to release it to 'Autharium' for their approval. Fingers crossed this time next week my dream may have finally come true and my book may be available in digital format for all the world to read......



 

 

 

Outside in the almost magical winter wonderland, the snow finally begins to thaw as the temperatures rise, bringing with it the hope that Spring is not too far away,  the fresh buds on the branches of the surrounding chestnut trees hold the only clue. Winter has been long and cruel this year, the snows appearing early,  more frequently and with more intensity than the last few years, the only thing missing was the freezing temperatures experienced last year when they dropped as low as minus thirteen Celsius.

 

 

 

Catherine Carabine - Catherine Carabine profile at Autharium

Catherine Carabine - Catherine Carabine profile at Autharium

"A Chestnut Barn in Tuscany"

 

The story of the book so far, after six months and what feels like a lifetime of waiting for responses from two publishers, I came across a website called 'Autharium' a new and innovative way to publish whilst still retaining a high percentage of royalties from the sales of your book.

 After much research on my part into the world of ebooks, which I must admit I found to be a minefield! I am happy to say that my book has now been released in a draft form for the world to see......at www.autharium.com

 

Any feedback/comments would be much appreciated as there is still time for amendments.

 

Whilst on the topic of Autharium, I would like to say a big thank you to my new friend Margaret Callow who reviewed my book within a matter of days of its release. Her comments thrilled me beyond words and brought tears to my eyes. Words cannot describe what it means to have a 4 Star review from an accomplished author. Margaret has written 'A Rebellious Oak' and 'A Pardon Too Few' and is currently in the process of releasing her third book to which I wish her all the very best.