News

Issue 1

Hi,

We returned back from a weekend trip to San Michele Salentino a couple of weeks ago, leaving friends and warm sunshine behind. It gets more difficult to leave our trulli every time we visit. The weather when we left was a very nice 28 degrres C. It is still roundabout that temperature now, such a contrast to the very changeable climate back in Yorkshire.

For the people back in San Michele it is time to plant the seemingly endless number of tomato plants, peppers and aubergines. We couldn't believe it, everybody we met was busy planting hundreds of tomato plants. It looks like the figs will be ready in the next 6-10 weeks. The ones on our trees are roughly the size of a 10p.

We are new to farming and having fruit trees, so we haven't quite worked out what everything is yet and when they come into season. We'll keep you posted, bet you can hardly wait!

On our short trip we managed to get to the beach twice! We didn't brave the sea but did catch a few rays on the sand and played the obligatory game of scoop and catch with my son. We visited a beach near to Serranova. It was one of the beach areas which in the summer season would offer facilities such as parking, toilets, changing areas, children's playground, in addition to having a restaurant/snack bar. None of these facilities were open but people were busy painting and sprucing the place up. We decided that we would definitely go there during July/August.

One thing I have got to mention is that if you are after a swimming pool, then visit Castorama in Bari (owned by the Kingfisher group - B&Q in old money). No sooner had we stepped off the plane we went pool shopping. We thought that if we waited until July, then places might have sold out. We were amazed at the choice on offer. They had everything from small paddling pools to larger pools which were 1.2 metres deep and 6.75 metres wide. For those that like to lounge about on pools they had a large choice of inflatable chairs etc. I had chosen a few before we had purchased a pool. I am planning on sitting in one of the inflatable chairs drinking vino rosso whilst my hubby gets to grips with making pizza.

On Sunday lunch before we left our friends invited us round for a meal. Maria had laid the table out beautifully with a varied selection of starters, including some pickled chillis which she had brought back from Calabria. They were hot, but very nice. After munching our way through the starters and delicious homemade bread we tucked into some homemade Orecchiette (little ears pasta). Maria puts me to shame, she had spent well to me hours making the pasta dough, then moulding each piece of pasta individually into shape. The end result was brilliant. This was served with a simple tomato sauce, grated parmesan and rucotta cheese, oh - and fresh raw chicory. This is washed and quartered and served with pasta to aid the digestion. Sounds strange, but does the job and tastes very nice.

Well that's all for now, more news in the next couple of weeks.

Ciao,
Julie