I don’t mean to rub it in, but even though my UK friends have hardly had a summer at all yet (although today is hot and sunny), I’ve had a great time so far. Two weeks seeing friends and family on Martha’s Vineyard was followed by a magical four days listening to music, eating pasta and truffles, and drinking local wine in a little town high in the Tuscan Hills called Anghiari.
Ten years ago, friends of mine started a professional orchestra for musicians just coming out of conservatory called The Southbank Sinfonia. It has now gathered lots of acclaim and launched the careers of over 100 amazing musicians. Part of their annual programme is a week-long music festival in Anghiari. There are two or three concerts a day, most of them outside in piazzas or against medieval walls, or in a surrounding castle or church. The music ranged from the baroque to the modern, but all of it was outstanding. I have been wanting to go for years, and this year I finally made it. Look at the photos:
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| The view from the hotel |
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| Chapel where St Francis of Assisi went & 1 of the concert venues |
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| another venue: a 15thC castle |
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| music in a small square |
This last picture is of a local priest who joined a group of us for dinner, pulled out a pocket full of truffles he and his dog had found, and started shaving them all over our pasta! In London, that much truffles would cost hundreds of pounds!
So it was a wonderful few days and I’m already scheming ways to return next year. But the reason I’m back on this continent now is because….wait for it….my husband will be running with the Olympic Torch this Thursday morning just before 10.00, along the streets of The City. He’s been honoured for having led the youth sports programme,
London Baseball, for over fifteen years. A generation of young baseball players from all nationalities living in London have learned the sport under his careful eye. He’s passed on his own passion for the sport, but even more, he’s worked hard to instill moments of triumph and self-esteem boosts to literally thousands of kids. We’re incredibly proud of him. Look out for the tall, bearded, white-haired strider on your tellies, but I’ll post photos here, too. Ever onward!
Your trip sounds amazing!! One of my fondest memories was of listening to an orchestra in the ruins of an old castle in France…they played Rhapsody In Blue and it has been one of my favourite pieces of music ever since!
And Yay for your husband. What amazing work he does and what a lovely way to be rewarded for it. You must be very proud!
C x