Castello di Mugnana - more

Now you see it! Mike R and Glenn preparing an evening meal for the hungry mob. It turned out to be spaghetti bolognese. Fantastico! Mike's slicing of the onions was a 'thing of some beauty.' Even wife Debbie was impressed. Mike, you have proven you can do it. Wait till you get back home and you will be able to hone your skills further.

And young Glen, surprised even himself as well we are sure as Ronnaye. It was one of the most memoraable spaghetti bologneses ever!

And now the dining hall for the evening feasts, showing one of the tables with Debbie in attendance.

Two friends from Oman, Ronnaye from Auckland and Sue from Huldenberg ready for an amazing meal, more drinkies and more peopling with the assembled well wishers.

Young Ian R in expansive mood, waiting, waiting, waiting for the next delectable delight. Sue's uncle from Kiwiland and many places in Russia.

Another view of Mike R relaxing at the kitchen window caught so to speak by an eagle-eyed photographer lurking in the castello's courtyard. Is that a bottle of cooking oil we see Mike? Or is it a bottle of good Toscana red (Carpineto)? All guesses to those tower watchers Clifford and Delores the Greystoners.

Whoops Sue, the eagle-eyed one was waiting and got this reward. Legend has it that said 1/2G was drained that evening - with help of course!!

And now for some of the other party people, Niels, son of Eric and Marija from the Netherlands. They drove to Toscana just to be with Mike and Sue for their celebrations. Eric and Mike are 1st cousins; their two Dads are brothers. Neils is having a rest after playing badminton in the courtyard so that others can take great swipes at the shuttlecock in the hope of hitting it.

A closer view of Niels watching the older ones and wondering ... well that's your guess. Obviously a football fan. Guess who his team and favourite player is?

That kitchen window again - this time it is Debbie explaining what is going on in that kitchen. Kiwi sign language no doubt understandable to Mike R and all Taranakians north of the Republic of Inglewood. Fancy travelling 24+ hours in a plane, survived Roma and the wilds of the drive north to Firenze and the castello only to end up in a kitchen window. No wonder some were somewhat speechless and resorting to strange sign languages. It afflicted us all Debbie some even worse so (grammar dear, grammar!).

Shopping needs hit the castello and the 'girls' set off for Firenze one day and returned with 'curled, slightly smouldering' plastic cards. Two examples caught by the eagle-eyed one, Claire and Celine looking mighty satisfied with the day's catches.

Eric and Judith are in attendance at the badminton in the courtyard and in pensive mood.

Hello here is another using sign language and resting on that kitchen window sill. Another eagle-eyed one caught the 'inaction.'

This 'ere be Claire from Ghent friend and workmate of Mike, caught relatively unawares. Claire's efforts voluntarily hostessing and oiling the wheels of friendship with so many different people was of a high order. Thanks Claire from Sue's oldes (Mum and Dad that is).

Another unposed shot with Marija, Claire and Jean-Marc reviewing things of 'great importance' in that courtyard. Jean-Marc known to some as 'Luigi' is probably dreaming of chainsawing more trees on Sue and Mike's Huldenberg property or maybe how to beat some others at the card game 500 the coming evening.

And this was Celine in fine form quaffing some delectable white 'quaffe mixture.' Whether it was fine French or other has been lost in the mists of the following 48 hours perhaps?

Yes, Judith some of the antics of the 'badminton' players were reason for laughter. Eric andMarija's young daughter had a lovely time amongst all of the older ones and brother Neils.

Whoops, its that Taranakian boy again showing just how good the lads back home are at looking after a bottle.

In the courtyard again, this time with Celine and Mike. Enjoying the atmosphere and the camaraderie.

Sammo is in attendance wearing one of her newly acquired T shirts. Some quotes from the week survived. One of them Sammo's. "Been there. Done that. Got the T shirt!"

"When's my dinner coming?" Once again Judith features waiting patiently in the dining room for another fantastic creation by one of the party people.

And of course the Greystoners again - this time gazing wistfully at an empty wine glass and as fate would have it an empty wine bottle.

Herendith another chapter in the on-going saga of Sue's 40th and Mike's 40 something!

Castello di Mugnana - middle times

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.

Herendeth this episode in the celebrations at Toscana in honour of Sue and Mike and their many friends.

Tuscany - Castello di Mugnana - Early times

Tuscany - Castello di Mugnana

This is a church opposite Castello di Mugnana some 400m directly across a small valley. It is lit up at night and is a remarkable sight. It's bells call each hour, 6 minutes after the hour - you can set your clocks by it although time is not of any major importance to the Vennik partying party.



This is a view from Evan and Sally's pad half way up the main tower. The town is Greve in Chianti.


It has a lot of new home construction under way - a feature of all the small and not so small towns in Tuscany. Evan, Glenn and Olga walked back from the township - some 5 kms - a delightful way to see the countryside - we even disturbed a deer crossing the road and hiding quickly from us. Castello di Mugnana is some 16kms from Firenze (Florence) and the Tuscany contryside is remarkable with lots of olive groves and grapes. The wine in Italy is at least half the price and excellent quality. Of course some of the very top class wines are expensive.

These are the main castle gates and Jean-Marc features. He and Mike Vennik did so much driving of the two vans - they needed a medal - more on that later. A full list of the party-goers will feature as this tome continues and the brain cells recover from the visissitudes (correct spelling please Teacher) of the week long party.



This is the tower part of the Castello and it is 1000 years old. Very comfortable - completely re-furbished some years back and a marvellous place to house 19 party-persons. Sue and Mike were on the top floor, Evan and Sally on the middle and Glenn and Ronaye on the lower. All others were housed elsewhere in excellent rooms. There is a separate large kitchen and a dining hall where all dined each evening. Each meal was prepared by a separate group each evening with some excellent fare being served.



And now a list of the party-people. Sue and Mike; Evan and Sally; Glenn and Ronaye; Olga and Ian; Mike and Debbie; Eric, Marija, Neils and Judith; Claire; Celine and Laurent; and, Jean-Marc and Genevieve Kiwis, Canadian, Kiwi Russian, Dutch, Belgians (of French and Flemish backgrounds and French. A real 'mixed bag' but all with one thing in common; celebrating Sue's 40th, Mike's slightly greater (years, dear years!)and Debbie's 43rd, birthdays. Not only differences in nationality but also not necessarily differences but a wide variety of very talented and experienced people.





The photo shows all the party persons and was taken on the last day at the castello. Claire just missed being in it due to an earlier departure. She features alongside the group photo.

So what did we all do during the 'week in Tuscany.' Eating, drinking quaffe mixtures, playing 'mad buggers' in the swimming pool, trips to supermarkets, 'shopping trips' for the 'girls' in Firenze, talking, talking, talking and then more 'quaffe mixtures. Playing four-handed 500 helped some while away the wee small hours and some were introduced to two-handed 500 by a Massey student from the early 1960's.

Herendeth the first epistle from Castello di Mugnana.

Roma 1 - Ian, Olga, Evan and Sally (in progress 15/8)

The first day of wandering around Rome was a day of wonder. Every corner we turned had some amazing sight! we wandered far and wide and came upon ruins that were still being excavated and Evan posed beside them. Sally, Ian and Olga walked down the narrow street towards the ladscape of spires and domes near the Foro Romano, The Roman forum. We intend to visit this area again and go to the Forum but today we turned left and visited the Colosseo, Colosseum.

Well! Sightseeing in Rome! Wonderful old buildings and parks with many ruins very well preserved. Stacks of us tourists doing tourist things. Eating, drinking, photographing, sweating. We formed our own tour parties and 'found' our own way around. The photos will speak for themselves as they get posted. For the Sadie it was all very humbling to see what earlier generations had been able to achieve. We are so soft today by comparison with those earlier generations. It must have been short, hard living in those days.

Clifford and Dolores posed for this picture just up the Via Crispi on our way up said Via to see the parties that had just arrived from Brussels; Sue and Mike; Debbie and Mike from New Plymouth; Jean-Marc and Genevive from Huldenburg; not to forget Frodo and Forrest (the two yorkies). The yorkies were still somewhat sedated from their flight from Brussels, but that only lasted a few hours before they were 'at it again.' Well - plotting the next few sight-seeing days took much yak and liquid libations.

26 sleeps to go! Yabba Dabba Doo!

It's the widdle of minter and still raining!

Matariki is upon us! Pleidies (Matariki) has risen above the night horizon so summer is coming!

But the rain continues, 190mm in 24 days. Much quacking and sloshing around with webbed feet. Still its not very cold 90% of days are into double figures and few frosts at night. Great blue skies and sunny days (4 of them) and then the rain starts up again. Cockies are smiling and its not just wind!

Europe beckons next month and we are carefully watching Brussels temperatures - fancy a sun tan on the bodies when we get back in October - with a bit of luck. 3 out of 4 offspring will be 40 or 40+ and the fourth has got 40 in his (far off) sights. Picasso is looking forward to his sojourn in Masterton with another Kris and her two doglets and 3 cats. He keeps asking, "how many sleeps Sadie, how many sleeps?" The fact that he sleeps at least 18 hours out of 24 makes the answer hard to calculate. Its more like, "how many wakes Sadie, how many wakes?"

Hang on its stopped raining!

It's raining!

Sure is! Courtesy of weather down from Queensland and meeting up with a High coming across from Bass Strait. Warm moisture laden air meeting cold stuff. Bay of Plenty, Gisborne (Tairawhiti), Canterbury and Otago have had very heavy falls and flooding.

Greystone only got 48mm in 24 hours (it all fell overnight in 12 hours), sun peeked through at midday and now the rain is starting again! Heaviset fall we have experienced in 13 years in the Wairarapa.

Thanks Queenslanders! Is there anything we can send you?

Cheers from the web footed swamp dwellers.

Look whose raking the Autumn leaves!!

Sadie was the photographer and Sammo the raker the of the Greystone autumn leaves. Greytown is picture postcard at the moment with coloured leaves all over the place.