The Cook and The Gardener: Kiwi visitors and Italy

biscuits and pasta

August 27-2011. This is the Cook reporting in. Sadly Sue's Dad passed away last Thursday so we got Sue on a plane that night and she is back in NZ for the Funeral and to be with her family. Was very sad but not unexpected.
So---- That leaves me in charge holding the fort till my lovely wife returns on 7th September. Hopefully I won't have any visitors till after Sue returns.On the 14th August, Kerry Tait ( a good friend from Geraldine) arrived with 2 friends and stayed the night before heading off to Scotland. Was good to see them and catch up on a bit of "goss", then on the Thursday Deb and Paul Clarke arrived. We picked them up from Banbury station and they stayed with us for 4 days. Unfortunately, Susie, our employer was due up that Saturday so we sent Deb and Paul off for the night to Chipping Campden and then they came back late Sunday after all the guests had departed. It was so good seeing them both especially Debbie who is looking really well.On the Monday the four of us flew to Milan, stayed one night then had a good look at the shops the next day. Boy the Italians are the true fashion icons of the world. Shoe shops to die for and clothes of every colour and design. Sue managed some shoes and yours truely 2 polo shirts and 3 pairs of undies!!!! We then picked up a car later in the day and drove to our apartment in Menaagio on Lake Como. This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our apartment was on the side of a hill, about 5 minutes walk to the main Piazza and the views from our balcony across the lake to Varenna and Bellagio were stunning.
Every day was sunny and hot (37-38 c ) so that meant a few swims in the lake and several gelatos along with cold beers. Did a ferry trip across the lake to Varenna, Bellagio, Tremezzo and as well a drive to the top of the lake to Colico. George C has his villa just down the lake at Leno but no we did not sight him during our stay. We met 7 lovely African girls, who were staying in the same apartment as us. One was from London and was turning 40 and her 2 sisters and 4 friends flew in from South Africa to celebrate the occasion.
One night we were treated to a free concert by an Italian Orchestra in the Piazza. We dined at a restaurant right next to the stage and listened to Vivaldi and Mozart for 2 hours- quite magical.
Sue and I flew back to England on Monday but Deb and Paul stayed on for 2 more days before heading off to Singapore.All in all a wonderful week but now back to rain and much cooler temperatures. The garden and lawns are in need of some attention so that will keep me occupied. Spent last couple of days assembling some new furniture and nothing is ever straight forward. Got the trundle bed erected only to find that the mattress for the bit that rolls under the bed is the wrong size. I did squash it in but then it wouldn't fit where it was supposed to go!!! Has been put in the too hard basket till next week.
We have about 8 large apple trees here, absolutly laden with fruit so its chutney time. Have got a large pot of pear and apple on the Aga so must keep my eye on it. The good news is that I am getting a new ladder so that I can do the hedges safely and not balancing on one foot with both arms extended, with the petrol hedge trimmer threatening to amputate one of them. We are also getting a new dishwasher and drier ( it blew up the day we left for Italy). Have now got to project manage the decorating of the pool room and tower which will be a challenge. Well chutney is looking good, stewed apple is done so must away for some LAMBS FRY and BACON