Supermarket and shoes

I know it isn't very interesting but it was a bit different. We went up to near Perugia to the IperCoop to collect our swimming pool which we had been on order. Isn't it great that you can go to the supermarket and buy a swimming pool. It is no paddling pool either - 4.60 metres wide and over a metre deep.

Also, it is a fraction of the cost of building one in the ground which is apparently around 25.000 euros.

While I was there I had a quick look around the shops and looked at some shoes. Saw a nice pair but..... they were a pair of Michael Schumacher shoes. Now I can't stand the guy and so cannot buy a pair of his shoes which is a real shame as this is the second time I have seen a nice pair bearing his name.

Infiorata

Yep its Sunday so it's another big day. Its 60 days and one week after Corpus Domini so it's obviously the day of the Infiorata.

This is where small villlages like ours, Manciano, and town and cities throughout Italy will decorate their street with the petals of flowers - as shown here. This one is in Manciano but locally probably the best display is in Spello where they close off the main street through the lovely hilltop town and there is a serious Infiorata competition along it. I recommend it if you are ever in Umbria this time of year.

We went last year but like most trips we do we forgot to take the camera!

Our house guest Jerry.

This is Jerry who is spending a few days with us as his owners A&S are having to go down to Puglia. He spent a few days with us last week so is familiar with us and Winnie and our cat Louie - he is rather fond of cat food and likes our brand of dog biscuits as well so its not too bad a change for him.

Detail of an olive branch

This is a detail from one of our trees where you can see the flower buds waiting to open. These are produced on last season's growth and so beyond the point where there are no flower buds at the end of the branch you have this season's growth which is a lighter green.

Between the leaf and the branch on this year's growth you already have the tiny bud which next year will turn into flowers and hopefully olives.

New range of infused oils - lemon, chilli and thyme

Today we have launched our new range of infused olive oils. There are chilli, lemon and thyme infused oils to choose from and they have all been repackaged in great little 250ml tins. These are great to have in the kitchen so that you can spice up and dish you are creating.

Maybe some chilli oil fried prawns to start and then some grilled chicken breasts with a dash of thyme infuse oil and then some lemon cake made with lemon infused olive oil rather than butter.

Check them out at the website - www.casa-margherita.com

Correction to vole post

I have been reliably informed that the said voles were actually shrews. Thanks to Sue.

Festa Della Republica and Chickens

Public holiday in Italy today celebrating 64 years of the Republic which followed the ruinous entry under Mussolini of Italy into the Second World War in alliance with Germany.

Guiseppe our neighbour will have the Italian flag flying outside his house as he does on all such national holidays - a good patriot.

He has also just "bought" some baby chickens - 24 of them in fact. They came free with some chicken food. Can you believe it. What value a ch1cken eh!