The Farm

Many of you have been asking about the place we rest out weary heads at night, and I agree it is high time I got to this. So here is the farm (otherwise known as rainbow garden).

A freshly ploughed field, by the main house.

Our favourite hedge/fence.

A vegetable patch.

Sonia, the frog catcher from Russia.

The party greenhouse.

Finn barbecuing small fish and aubergine. 

Plums

Finn eating fruits in the orchard.

Bitter dinner at the table just outside our kitchen door - gnocchi with chicory, butter, and parmesan, and a lemony green salad with radicchio and ricotta (my new favourite salad accompaniment).

Currently ripe in the garden

Cherries

Plums (both red and yellow varieties)

Apricots

Rockmelon

Peas

Zucchini (with flowers)

Aubergine

Cucumber

Lettuce

Basil

White onions

Potatoes

Cabbages

Cauliflower

Silverbeet

Fennel

The tomatoes are close, but not quite ready.

The figs and the grapes have a wee way to go yet.

As far as animals go, there are dogs and cats and chickens. Quite a few chickens, 12 or more, plus a rooster. Oh, and frogs of course. They retreat into the trees in the evening, pretty amazing. And also snakes. That's right, we're not safe here either. Finn got a hell of a fright walking to the bus one day - he looked down and there was a snake, slithering along the edge of the road beside him. By the time we walked back that evening it was squashed dead on the road, and that's how we've been seeing them since. (I think we're up to 5 squashed snakes now. Creepy.)

The only downside to this place is the commute - 15-20 minute walk + 30 minute bus + 30 minute boat/45 minute walk to get to work. And then the same again to get home. A bit much really, despite it being an idyllic dinner setting. So we've been doing a bit of scouting and there's the possibility we'll be moving into Venice proper in the next few days. Will keep you posted.

22 June 2011