Time for Revisione

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Francis

I’ve often been asked…I’ve sometimes been asked…someone asked me once: ‘can you recommend a decent garage around Bagni di Lucca?’

Depends really what one is looking for. Do you have a car, a motorbike, a scooter, an ‘automobile d’epoca’ (vintage car), for example?

My scooter MOT came up this June. MOT is called ‘revisione’ in Italian and the first MOT has to be done four years after the scooter has been registered (immatricolata) for the very first time. Thereafter, it’s due every two years.

Checks are carried out on the following:

Documents relating to the vehicle.
Brakes.
Exhaust gas.
Noise level.
Lights including beam alignment.
Check to see if the original vehicle specifications have been changed without authorisation.

If the revisione is successfully passed then a stamp is placed in the vehicle’s ‘libretto di circolazione’ (vehicle registration document). If it isn’t then there are two options. Either the revisione is to be repeated or, in the worst cases, the vehicle is ‘sospeso’ or withheld from going on the road again.

The best place to have a revisione for a car in Bagni, in my opinion, is the one just to the right of the road leading to Fornoli railway station. For a motorcycle or scooter then the best choice is Lombardi at Pian Della Rocca, between Borgo Penny Market and Calavorno.

The standard charge for a revisione is, for 2019, Euro 65.

Many garages in Italy are veritable mini-museums of nostalgic wonders. While I was myself ‘sospeso’ waiting for the results of my Aprilia Scarabeo’s MOT I wandered round the place and noticed the following, including a WW2 Italian army Moto Guzzi and a delectable Porche, quite apart from the sweet Cinquina, one of which we were the proud owners of before it ended its life (and almost ours) just over two years ago.

Incidentally, I sold my old Triumph to Lombardi, having decided that one more avenue of pleasure, that of motobike riding, was due for closure.

For further details see Lombardi’s web site at

https://autofficina-lombardi.business.site/

Borgo is ‘My Flower’

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Francis

Every April Borgo a Mozzano hosts a lovely flower festival. On even numbered years it’s the azalea festival and on odd numbered years it’s the ‘my flower festival.’ Although the latter is on a smaller scale than the azalea festival it’s still a very lively and enjoyable event.

The flower show is also a way of publicising the various towns and villages which make up the comune of Borgo a Mozzano. Here are some of the displays which I liked most, especially those with models of the villages they represented:

Here is Bagni di Lucca’s contribution:

The forestry department had a poignant display, complete with model water bomber, reminding us of the terrible fire which raged for several days on our hills last month (see https://longoio3.com/2019/04/03/our-forests-on-fire/):

Local schools had displays illustrating games from by-gone times:

Borgo’s symbol is, of course, the magnificent bridge spanning the Serchio river and built by order of the countess Matilda in the eleventh century. Here it is represented with flowers:

Here is a selection of further displays. Note the Japanese cherry blossom garden, the real cat among the bunnies, the old agricultural items, the modern technology used in making necci (chestnut pancakes) and much else.

In addition to the street displays there were also art and photographic exhibitions.

The phenomenon of David Bonaventuri and his brilliant photography is on display in its all-defying virtuosity at Borgo a Mozzano’s Library until the 28th of April. The show is titled ‘Beyond Pain’, a reference to the fact that David had to have his left leg amputated in 2012 as a result of a work accident – absolutely not his fault – when a tree fell on it. This has in no way limited David’s activities as a photographer and explorer of our area. In fact, at 5 pm on April 27th, at the Circolo dei Forestieri, a book on ancient rock engravings in our mountains in which he participated is being presented at the Sala Rosa of Bagni di Lucca’s circolo dei forestieri.

fznor

Meanwhile, here is a taster of the photography exhibition and its opening ceremony (forgive the inevitable glass reflections).

It’s a real pity that the weather on Saturday wasn’t of the best. Sunday was much worst, however, with dismal downpours most of the day. I was, therefore, glad to visit when I did.

If you want to compare this year’s festival with that of the ones we have visited in previous years you can click on any of my previous posts regarding the event:

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/legging-it-in-leghorn/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/blooming-azaleas/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/astounding-azaleas-are-arriving/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/my-flower-is-at-borgo-a-mozzano/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/another-fabulous-borgo-azalea-festival/

https://longoio3.com/2018/04/15/borgo-blooms-again-for-its-azalea-festival/

Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau

Posted on February 2, 2019 by Francis

Candelora in Italy, Imbolc among the Celts, Saint Brigid in Ireland, Candlemas in England, Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau (Festival of Mary of the candles) in Wales, are all connected with the promise of the arrival of spring and the celebration of longer days and more light. As Shelley, who stayed in Bagni Di Lucca just over two hundred years ago, famously wrote in his ‘Ode to the West Wind: ‘If winter comes can spring be far behind?’

We’ve certainly had the wind and the rain, and my journey this morning to Penny supermarket at Borgo a Mozzano was cut short when I was informed that the road leading to the Ponte della Maddalena was underwater since the river Serchio had flooded through its banks.

Here is a video taken by a brave journalist from our local paper last night:

https://video.gelocal.it/iltirreno/locale/maltempo-in-toscana-il-serchio-in-piena-al-ponte-del-diavolo/115425/117018

Christianity has adopted many pagan festivals and Candlemas refers liturgically to a passage in Saint Luke’s gospel when Jesus was presented at the temple after his mother Mary had received ritual purification according to Jewish custom, forty days after his nativity,

330px-Ambrogio_Lorenzetti_-_Presentazione_di_Gesù_al_tempio_-_Google_Art_Project

The text relating to this incident is worth quoting in full:

And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Have you lit your candle for today? For as the Italian rhyme goes:

Quando vien la Candelora
de l’inverno semo fora;
ma se piove o tira vento
de l’inverno semo dentro.

My Trans:

When Candlemas comes
we’re out of winter ;
but if it is raining or windy
we’re still in winter .

(O dear….)

How to Spend this Sunday in Val di Lima

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Francis

Advent started on December 2nd. Christmas decorations have gone up in Fornoli and Ponte di Serraglio but not yet in Bagni Villa (!).

Yesterday, the traditional Christmas market at Fornoli took place. It’s always on the 8^th of December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. (The Immaculate Conception refers, incidentally, not to the virgin birth of Jesus but to the free-from-original-sin birth of the Virgin Mary).

The Fornoli market extended all the way from the Nottolini Ponte delle Catene to the main road to Barga and it was very well attended. Fortunately, the day was beautifully sunny.

Today, Sunday, 9^th December there are three big local events not to be missed:

The living Christmas crib at Anchiano (definately not to be missed).

presepe-anchiano-9-dicembre

The Christmas nativity scenes itinerary (with a hundred separate cribs) at Montefegatesi. It starts at 11 am and there’s the ‘Joyful angels’ gospel choir concert at 5.30 PM

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The concert at the convent of Saint Francis at Borgo a Mozzano at 5.30 PM given by the Jubilum Jazz choir conducted by Piero Gaddi who is also their piano accompanist and music arranger.

a-jubilum-9-dicembre-borgo-a-mozzano

It’s a pity that both concerts are at the same time. I wonder which one I’ll attend.

So much happening now…. If you haven’t received a Christmas card by terrestrial snail mail from me so sorry! But this year I’m only sending them, slightly scrooge-like, to those who have already sent me one. So if you want to receive a card from me do send me one first. Thank you!

(This year’s Christmas tree in Rome’s Piazza Venezia – from which gorgeous city I have recently returned – looking less ‘spelacchiato’ than last year’s effort.)

Guitars at Borgo a Mozzano

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Francis

This Saturday at 5.30 PM at the Municipal Library of Borgo a Mozzano there will be a recital given by Finnish guitarist Patrik Kleemola as part of the “Musical Encounters – the places of beauty and culture” season organized by Giacomo Brunini

Patrik-Kleemola

Kleemola will perform music by J. S. Bach, Weiss, Sor and two compositions by contemporary Finnish composers Harri Vuori and Mikko Heiniö.

Patrik Kleemola is one of Finland’s best guitarists. He is the winner of several competitions including the “Takemitsu” International guitar competition and has performed in many countries including, Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Estonia. He has also played with orchestras such as I Pomeriggi Musicali of Milan, the Sanremo Symphonic Orchestra, the Lecce Symphony Orchestra and the Turku Philharmonic. Kleemola has recorded several CDs for important record labels. Alongside his concert activity he teaches guitar at the Turku Music Institute and also holds master classes in Finland, Argentina, Italy and Estonia.

On Sunday 2 December Kleemola will hold a masterclass at Borgo’s Library for young music school students.

The concert Season is organized by the “Salotti” Civic Music School under the patronage of the Municipality of Borgo a Mozzano and with the collaboration of the San Giovanni Leonardi Association, Cluster Association, Misericordia di Borgo a Mozzano, Colombo Theatre, Barga and Castelnuovo Civic Schools di Garfagnana under the artistic direction of Giacomo Brunini. All concerts are free entry with free-will offering.

To receive more information please contact the following: borgoamozzanomusica@gmail.com – Cell. 3498496612 or visit the website at http://www.scuolacivicasalotti.it

Places of Beauty and Culture at Borgo a Mozzano

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Francis

The “Musical meetings – places of beauty and culture” season, which is now in its ninth year, resumes on 11 November.

There will be six events (five concerts and a guitar masterclass) bringing to Borgo a Mozzano great classical music and international guests such as Finnish guitarist Patrik Kleemola.

The concerts will take place at different locations in and around Borgo : the Teatro Comunale “Colombo” of Valdottavo, the San Giovanni Leonardi Library of Diecimo, the Municipal Library, the Convent of San Francesco and the Salone delle feste in Borgo, thus giving opportunities for the public to rediscover places of important artistic-architectural importance in their comune.

The opening concert is on Sunday 11 November, at 5.30 pm, at the “Colombo” Theatre and features the reciting voice of Piero Nannini, flautist Elisa Cozzini and guitarists Nicola Fenzi, Marta Marchetti, Dario Atzori and Giacomo Brunini in a “Homage to Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco” on the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death. This concert features important compositions for solo guitar and chamber groups with guitar by the Florentine composer who died in 1968. It will be preceded by an introduction by musicologist Renzo Cresti.

The events continue on November 25 at the San Giovanni Leonardi Library Diecimo, always at 5.30 pm, where there’s a concert by the Atzori-Brunini guitar duo with music by Albeniz, Granados, De Falla, Rebay, Takemitsu, The Beatles and contemporary composers, Alvaro Compagno, Girolamo Deraco and Saverio Rapezzi.

On Saturday, December 1, at 5.30 pm, at the Municipal Library of Borgo a Mozzano there’s a recital by Finnish guitarist Patrik Kleemola who performs music by Bach, Sor and Granados and contemporary Finnish composers Harri Vuori and Mikko Heiniö.

On Sunday 2 December Kleemola will hold a masterclass at the Municipal Library. Kleemola is among the most famous Finnish guitarists and is winner of the “Takemitsu” International Guitar Competition. He has performed in many European countries and in South America, Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Estonia, also collaborating with important orchestras such as I Pomeriggi Musicali of Milan, the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra , the Lecce Symphony Orchestra and the Turku Philharmonic. He has recorded several CDs . Alongside his concert activity he teaches guitar at the Turku Music Institute and also holds master classes in Finland, Argentina, Italy and Estonia.

On December 9th, at 5.30 pm, the musical encounters move into the splendid setting of the Church of the Convent of San Francesco where the Jubilum Jazz Chorus conducted by Maestro Piero Gaddi performs music ranging from gospel to soul to jazz arranged by Gaddi himself.

The season ends on Sunday December 16th at the Salone delle Feste at 5.30 pm with a concert by “The flutes of Lucca” and the “10,100,1000 string ensemble” made up by the students of the Liceo Musicale and the Lucca 2 with Antonio Barsanti, Letizia Carriero and Francesco Ciampalini. The young flute students of the “Salotti” Civic School with Caterina Brunini will also take part in the event.

All concerts are free entry with welcomed donations.

The music festival is organized by the “Salotti” Civic Music School under the patronage of the Municipality of Borgo a Mozzano and the artistic direction of Giacomo Brunini. In addition, the socio-cultural missionary association San Giovanni Leonardi, the Leonardini Fathers of Diecimo, the music schools of Barga and Castelnuovo Garfagnana, the Misericordia di Borgo a Mozzano, the Teatro Colombo and the Associazione Cluster di Lucca are collaborators in the concert series.

(Giacomo Brunini)

To receive more information you can contact the following addresses: borgoamozzanomusica@gmail.com – Cell. 3498496612 (artistic director) or visit the website http://www.scuolacivicasalotti.it

Hot Stuff in Cune

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Francis

If you think that becoming fluent in the world’s most beautiful language, Italian, is the end of the story then you’re wrong. It’s just the beginning! Each region of Italy has its own vernacular tongue. Recently I visited the Veneto and local people sussed out that I came from Tuscany because I’d picked up Italian with a Tuscan accent and used Tuscan expressions (e.g. for ‘stupid’ I used ‘bischero’ and for ‘carefully’ I used ‘a modino’ etc.).

Vernacular, a local turn of phrase or way of expressing oneself, often turns into a distinct dialect. In many parts of Italy a dialect can be different enough from RAI Italian to form a separate language. Anyone who has visited cities like Naples Turin or Trieste will realise that their inhabitants will turn from speaking in their own distinct language in order to speak to you in RAI Italian so that you can understand each other.

It’s more difficult in Tuscany to spot this national/regional difference since it’s the Tuscan tongue that has been used as the basis of contemporary Italian. Most significantly, the greatest work of Italian literature, Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ is written in a Tuscan which is the foundation of modern Italian.

We associate comedies with funniness and such greats as the much missed Ken Dodd but the meaning of ‘comedy’ in Dante’s work means that it is written in the ‘low’ or vernacular style as she is spoke in the market-place and finishes with a happy ending, instead of the high or ‘tragic’ style which uses Latin and concludes with a sad ending. That explains why there are not that many jokes in the ‘comedy’ (although there are a few, e.g. ‘Inferno’ canto 21 line 139…)!

In Tuscany, as in other regions, there are variants of the regional vernacular.

The main ones are:

Florentine
Sienese
Western Tuscan (Pisan – Lucchese – Livornese – Pistoian).
Arretine (Arezzo)
Grosseto-Amiata
Apuan

Western Tuscan and Apuan are the ones that affect us. Even here, however, because of the nature of the land with its villages separated by high hills and mountains there are further sub-divisions:

These are

Upper Garfagnanese (above Castelnuovo)
Lower Garfagnanese (below Castelnuovo)
Barchigiano (Region around Barga which is not part of Garfagnana but which belonged to Florence)

Local inhabitants can quite easily place where someone comes from in our Serchio valley from the way they speak. One of the most distinctive accents is from Vagli di Sopra. Try following what people are saying in one of the bars there, even if you are fluent in Italian!

We were recently present at a book presentation in nearby Borgo a Mozzano. Gabriele Matraia’s “ ‘l diaule nela trafùsora” (roughly translated as ‘she’s got the devil in her fanny = she’s impatient for sex’, diaule = Diavolo = devil, trafùsora = accia = a fabric made of 75% wool, 25% of cotton, flax or hemp, and also meaning the female genital organ) presents the variant of western Tuscan, Luccan province, Serchio valley, Apuan area spoken in the village of Cune, where Matraia lives.

Gabriele Matraia has taught literature in secondary schools in Garfagnana and Borgo a Mozzano, where he was three times mayor. Matraia has also published two volumes of poetry and has curated publications on ancient Luccan organs – musical, not biological, I hasten to clarify – and a volume on the urban structure of Cune.

‘Some like it hot’, as I would politely translate the title of Matraia’s latest literary offering, makes fascinating reading for anyone with a knowledge of Italian and who is interested in linguistics and its relationship to local culture. The book is divided into four main sections.

Sayings/songs/rhymes.
Grammar.
Dictionary. I found this part, which forms the book’s largest section, particularly fascinating. For example, ‘ciucio’ means ‘cat’, còcca is a hen or a girl.
Appendix, with some musical notations and a story written in the local dialect.

The book is exquisitely illustrated by Fiorentina Maria Moriani Poli and has an excellent introduction by Massimiliano Argentieri.

(L’arbuolo = item used to shake chestnuts, maize or olives so as to separate impurities from them)

‘L’diaul nela trafùsora’ can be found at Borgo a Mozzano’s tourist office. I was unable to find an ISBN number for it.

Cerreto’s ‘Place of the Heart’

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Francis

The nearest Italian equivalent of the United Kingdom’s National Trust is F. A. I., which stands for ‘Fondo Ambiente Italiano’ (Foundation for the Italian Environment). Founded in 1975 and, like the National Trust, looking after and campaigning for the conservation of beautiful buildings and landscapes, FAI has a web site at https://www.fondoambiente.it/.

(See also my post about FAI at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/its-fai-week-end-again/ )

Every year a ‘luogo del cuore’ campaign is launched in which people vote for a building or place worthy of protection from the ravages of time. I remember when that exquisite baroque jewel of a church, Santa Caterina, was restored and re-opened to the public in 2014 after years of neglect. (To see what wonder could have been lost for ever see my post and pictures of her at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/luccas-baroque-flower-blossoms-anew/)

Friend Rita Gualtieri has been campaigning hard to save Bagni di Lucca’s magnificent Villa Ada in the old part of the town on the hill. As Rita writes “Fino al 30 novembre 2018 si può ancora votare. . Ma al 30 settembre il FAI “I Luoghi del Cuore” farà il primo vero resoconto fra i voti via internet e le firme sul cartaceo. . Vogliamo darci da fare questa settimana ed arrivare almeno a 500 su Facebook e Google . .. Adesso siamo a 370 voti. Forza ..” (“Until November 30, 2018 one can still vote. . But on 30 September the FAI “I Luoghi del cuore” will issue the voting results. . We want to get at least 500 on Facebook and Google. .. Now we are at 370 votes. Come on..”)

(The Villa Ada at Bagni di Lucca)

Originally a late Renaissance structure owned by the De Nobili Lucchese family, the Villa Ada was completely renovated in the nineteenth century, by Sir MacBean British consul at Livorno, when the two tall hexagonal towers were built giving the villa its present characteristic appearance. The building is surrounded by a large English-style park, enriched by artificial limestone caves, wrought iron railings in the shape of intertwined branches, and other elements of garden furniture typical of the period. A path, starting from the terrace near the villa, leads to a pergola and continues towards an artificial cave. The villa, purchased in 1975 by the Municipality of Bagni di Lucca, was used as a spa treatment establishment. To date, however, the villa is abandoned, with obvious structural problems due to poor maintenance.

It’s quite unacceptable that Bagni di Lucca can’t muster up at least 500 votes (needed for a building or place to qualify for consideration) with its population of 6,000 plus. Even if you are not a resident of BDL you can still vote. Do it now!

My own ‘place of the heart’ would be the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista, Cerreto’s former parish church. One wonders at first why the old church was built so far from Cerreto which lines the hill above Borgo a Mozzano. The fact is, however, that originally Cerreto occupied this site and only moved to its present position in late mediaeval times.

Built by order of that great Lady, the Countess Matilde di Canossa, in the eleventh century, San Giovanni Battista has a dazzling apse and some geometrically intricate stone walls.

The campanile is joined to the church by a picturesque arch.

Unfortunately, San Giovanni Battista is also at risk, as seen in my photos taken a few days ago. Some of the rifts in the stonework are quite frightening.

We never had the chance to visit the interior but evidently the church still has its hexagonal font. San Giovanni Battista di Cerreto antica has truly a place in my heart!

The Best Sin of My Old Age

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Francis

How on earth do they do it in Italy? Get together a cracking professional choir with four supreme soloists, hire two grands and a harmonium, have a truly on-the-ball conductor, find an idyllic setting in a Franciscan monastery, and play Gioachino Rossini’s eloquent, eclectic masterpiece, his ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’, on the occasion of the Pesaro composer’s 150^th death anniversary. Then, after a superlative musical banquet, provide another foody one in the Arcadian grounds of the monastery gardens with pasta, a multitude of finger dishes and a mouth-melting selection of sweets. And all for a voluntary donation to the local Misericordia or emergency and ambulance service…

This wouldn’t happen in London except if one pays for three-digit priced tickets (and then the drinks would be extra, unlike the free-flowing prosecco of Sunday evening).

The simple fact is that in Italy it’s often too much of a bureaucratic bother to set up ticket sales, what with all the government taxes and so forth. Furthermore, Italians are generous towards such organisations as the Misericordia and, of course, the Banks of Lucca are not mean-minded machines like they are in Europe’s former (after March 29th next year, that is) financial capital, but are true Maecenases of the arts.

Rossini packed everything into this greatest of his ‘sins of my old age’ as he termed his post-theatre productions. Gioachino had given up opera over thirty years previously, realising full well that his style was going out of favour (he’d anyway earned his dosh out of writing such masterpieces as the ‘Barber of Seville’ and ‘William Tell’).

It’s a ‘Petite’, (lasting well over an hour…), ‘Messe’ (perhaps that’s right as it’s a hotchpotch with everything from the strictest double fugue counterpoint in the ‘Quoniam’ and the ‘Vitam Venturi’ to heroic arias worthy of the finest operatic stage) ‘Solennelle’ (strictly speaking a Mass is solemn but there are plenty of witticisms in Rossini’s version which can bring a smile to the most dour-faced listener.

The gorgeous evening was also the concluding event in the greatest music festival this side of Lucca. Maestro Roni’s inspiration for the ‘Serchio delle Muse’ (translation unnecessary) was to bring music to the smallest village, to the highest mountain side to the most distant valley. This year was as varied as ever with a concert on the heights of the majestic Pania della Croce mountain, with three wonderful operettas (yes Italy has a great operettic tradition equal to anything that G n S, Offenbach and Lehar can conjure up) and lots more.

If you know nothing of the Serchio delle Muse festival then inscribe it in your brain ASAP. It’s the best thing going around here and more than makes up for the sad demise (temporary, I hope) of Barga Opera.

I should add that the evening was also a nice social event and I met up with truly valuable friends, some of whom had come from Pisa just on my Facebook announcements.

Don’t miss out for next year and the great maestro Roni’s festival if you’re in our lovely part of the world.

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In for a ‘Penny’, in for a Pound?

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Francis

With the wonderful trade opportunities which will open out for the UK after the end of March next year I thought I’d investigate how deeply the British market had penetrated that most elusive of Italian retail sectors: the discount store.

I chose our local ‘Penny Market’ at Borgo and scoured its shelves yesterday. Heading for that other essential item when having a cuppa, the biscuit, I found the digestive biscuit. Penny has had an imitation, manufactured in Italy, for some time.

Now, however, it has the real McCoy!

I think I will start having ‘can you tell the difference between Mcvities and……’ tea parties. After all, a sensitive palate does often link up with a sensitive personality. A good way to distinguish true friends? OK, so you couldn’t tell the difference … don’t look around for another invite then!

Of course, one could always drown one’s sorrows. There’s a choice between two brands of mother’s ruin, one of which is manufactured in Italia under license and the other which, reputedly, is distilled in the Great Wen.

Of course, no gin is complete without its traditional complement:

I do know local friends who like to mix the stuff with pineapple or other fruit juice, however.

The water of life is distilled north of Hadrian’s wall and I await a really freezing winter’s evening to allow myself a tipple of this tincture.

Naturally, if you go to ‘higher class’ (but not necessarily higher quality) supermarkets you’ll find HP sauce (but only the barbecue variety) which has abandoned Brexitain and is now manufactured in the Netherlands (how low….), Heinz baked beans, Lea and Perrins (still matured in Worcestershire) and several other items.

However, unless one enters the few speciality English shops in our area (like the one in Viareggio), it’s going to be difficult to find items like Wensleydale, Cheddar Stilton or, indeed, any other fabulous English cheese. Scrumpy drinkers will just have to go dry …… to say nothing of tea-cake or ginger-nut devourers.

Now all this is happening while the UK is in one and the world’s largest market. So what are the prospects after the next April fool’s day I wonder?

There may be excellent markets for digestive biscuits in South Africa, perhaps, and a G n T will be essential at sundown but….

Just realized I missed out on that classic snack, the Kit-Kat (now owned by a Swiss company) which I also spotted in ‘Penny’.

Perhaps, dear feeder, you might be able to fill me in on other great British exports, at least as far as food is concerned, on Italian discount supermarket shelves?

Do let me know. Thanks!

PS Prices are in Euro but there’s not too much difference now with sterling thanks to the UK’s glorious chancellor of the exchequer.

From London to La Costa (and Lucca and Beyond) Part Three

Category Archives: Borgo a Mozzano