Greystoned: Castello di Mugnana

Our welcome to the castello was in many forms, apart from the owners, and the one below was the shyest. Taken over some 5 minutes this last photo was from about a metre.

The castello was very extensive. This tower shot had accommodation for some 3 couples whilst the rest were in downstairs apartments. An extensive courtyard was good for daytime talks and drinks with many changes for people as they came and went from walks, shopping, swimming or planning their contribution for their evening meal activity.

The swimming pool was outside the walled castello grounds, about a two minute amble. Much fun was had in the pool! Later commentary and photos will highlight some of the polo and daring dives and jumps.

The weather was perfect for the whole week Sunday to Sunday - although hot by NZ standards. Over 32C daytime and 20C more or less at night so sleeping was not a difficulty at all - except where drinkies and/or 500 at cards got in the way. A truly magical time for all of Sue's friends to get to know one another. The selection of the venue by Mike and Sue could only be described as 'inspired.'

An example of wearing off the previous days excesses is shown above - prior to another 'cooling-off' dive.

Each apartment in the tower had its kitchen facilities. Here Sammo is enjoying toast, cheese and yoghurt for breakafst.

Because the castello and particualrly the tower towered over the surroundings some wonderful shots were obtained.

The houses/mini-castellos were all actively engaged in grape and olive growing. The olive orchards of Tuscany are very extensive. In the winter of '84 they experienced some very cold weather -19C and many olive trees were badly damaged. Many distorted olive trees still showed the effects with some getting new growth but clearly showing the effects. Snow is quite common in some of the higher, cultivated parts of Tuscany with many signs showing 'care required' in winter conditions. Hard for us to comprehend in a hot, dry Tuscany summer.

This was a huge property/building some 500m 'as the crow flies' across the valley to the north of the castello tower.

The workmanship and age of the castello had to be seen to be believed. This is one of 4 windows in our tower apartment. The floors/ceilings were made of massive wooden beams, adzed before placement. The tower was built in 1000AD and the facilities modernised for accommodation in the 20th century.

Our interpid companions, Clifford and Delores from Greystone NZ spent many hours keeping an eye on the locals and reporting back in the evenings. Many of the insights are theirs! They advise they are quite happy to enter into any correspondence by way of comments regarding their stay and impressions of the 'week to end all weeks' in Toscana (Tuscany dears, Tuscany).

Outside the main gates was this sculpture/carving guarding the entrance.

A number of the party was convinced that so much of Italy and this castello in particular would not be so grand or even built if the present day 'cost-accountants' had been in the ascendancy as they are in many countries today.

The internal courtyards of the castello showed simple, but very decorative and effective pot gardens in terracotta. The combination against centuries old stone work was stunning.

This is the entrance to the tower with a fig tree growing out of the stone work!

And below here is Sammo in the main kitchen taken from the dining room close to the 'kaboom' gas stove.

And here are two of the party people with one of the doglet bosses; Sue, Evan the Dad and Forrest.

And once gain those two Greystoners guarding the 'essential supplies.' They had given up their 'tower surveillance' for more pressing matters and responsibilities.