We found our Tuscan Garden on March 18, 2006. We had seen an ad. for an apartment in the Centro Storico (Historical Centre) of our town in Tuscany about six months before but, since we were supposed to only be staying in Italy for two years, we hadn't inspected the property. Now, The Gardener in our partnership decided he wanted to have a look anyway.He didn't pause from the moment he entered the apartment - it was straight through and out the back door!
Which took him across this little bridge....
And into his idea of Paradise!
I started to get interested when I saw the big terrace, at the end of which there was a small building that looked like a potential studio for my art.
The Gardener was keen that I should climb up to the top of the garden.
And this is what I saw. Lovely views across the houses to the Tuscan hills beyond.
I also noted that the garden was a bit of a mess!
The Gardener however, was already planning tomato beds.
And the terrace did have potential - if only I could keep it free of bags of manure and tomato seedlings.
Very nice views, said the Real Estate Agent. I said I thought there were signs of a leaking roof in the living room.
Just look at that view, said The Gardener.
Just look how close the neighbours are, said I.Regardless, we abandoned our intention to return to Australia on the spot. We made an offer on the apartment. And that's how we came to have Our Tuscan Garden.
I've created this blog because I have taken such a lot of photographs as the garden has evolved. My plan was to paint everything as it appeared but frankly I can't keep up. I will post a few of my garden paintings here but it will largely be the photos of what has gone on - and as I catch up to present day - what is going on, in Our Tuscan Garden.
13 comments:
Yeah yeah, now go and pick up my poo, please.
Poo! You can't poo in a garden - the tomatoes won't like it and besides it will confuse the local cats!
Lovely photos and I'm looking forward to the rest.
Katherine - Many thanks for being my first human visitor.
I've only put my toe in the water with this blog but I'm hoping it will encourage me to do more paintings in and of the garden.
Oh, I can't wait to see more, more! I love looking at what others do with their gardens as much as looking through their sketchbooks. Goodness I'm a nosy!
I am going to enjoy this trip with the gardener and his team! Love ALL the photo's!
ronell
Jeepers! You must be running on high-octane juice, Robyn! A third blog! (Oh, don't carp, Dermott - we all know your big hairy feet can't type without a little help!)
Seriously, Robyn, I am looking forward to the sketches, photos, words about the garden's development.
this looks fun. thank you for sharing.
LOVE your new blog! I, too am excited to see how the garden has evolved. The scenery is fantastic. I see how you could have an endless supply of paintings in the works and I see why The Gardener loved it.
I can hardly wait to see how this unfolds. I can picture it already. I know it is beautiful.
Lisa B - Nosy is nice, why else would one make a garden if not to share. I spend my life being nosy, peeping over other people's fences.
Ronell - Many thanks. I'm looking forward to more garden pictures and paintings from you this Spring/Summer too.
Dinah - I only have TWO blogs. Any assistance Dermott gets come from another bloke. I can't write blokey stuff like that, and I would certainly never mention p**, or those deadly explosions Dermott lets loose with.
df, Katie Jane & Toni - Thank you for visiting. I do hope your expectations aren't too high for this garden. It still looks like Steptoe & Son's backyard in places.
nice! this is a real treat to see your garden. I've added this one to my bookmarks!
Thanks, judybec :)
Robyn, I don't know how I missed the start of this blog! I must have been on a trip and/or in general psychic disarray. I'm so glad I've found it now! I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories, these Expat in Italy or France stories--you're doing what I long to do. And I'm a gardener, too, though of the flower variety (don't tell Graeme). Most of all, I'm a fan of your particular story, however expressed.
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