Random stuff from autumn in Tuscany 24th ottobre 2011

E' qui autunno

Autumn is here and it is generally pretty nice. All sorts of activities are going on. Grapes were starting to be picked in the third week of September. This year it has been extremely hot - I recall it being over 35C without rain for most of July and August. Also, the heat went on very late - into September and this means good quality grapes staying longer on the vine, which result in sweeter grapes and a good quality stronger alcohol wine. So - look out for Chianti and Brunello for 2011!
When grapes are done, it is time for olives. This time it is in the 3rd week of October. Plenty of olive groves around here and plenty of manual work to get them off and into the oil.
The animals are getting quieter. Recently there has been a gecko in the office. In my office, that I could not get out. He came in as it was still stinking hot and as much as I tried to get him out it has been quite impossible. One day I will write about the intellectual and behavioural differences between lizards and geckos as the beasts are not only different in the shape of their fingers! But not now...

Palio is over so things start to quieten down in Siena. However, it is still warm. So warm in fact that it is stinking hot during the day - well into the 20sC in the middle of the day in the sun, but not so far off pretty cold overnight. However, after two years in Italy I seem to have changed. I am now wearing scarf, coat and gloves where I would be wearing flip flops and t-shirt in the UK. I have officially gone soft.

The vines and countryside are stunning. Really beautiful as the leaves turn from green to red to yellow to brown. Fantastic view.

The rest of the world continues to go mad. Why do the press continue to put pictures of dead dictators on the front covers of national newspapers - that to me is far worse than any phone tapping - and it would never happen in Italy where family is still very strong.