My husband John and I took a huge leap of faith a few years ago.
Faith in our future and also each other. We packed up a van and drove across Europe to settle in the Tuscan farmhouse that we'd recently renovated. Family waved us a teary goodbye but it was our time, our gap year ... or two ..... or three! Actually, it's six and still counting.
We have since acquired a dog, Sophie, and the occasional chicken, a garden, a business and an enormous amount of work!
People say we're brave. I'm not so sure. Naive maybe.
I'll be honest, it's been a steep learning curve. The pace of life is so different from the UK - well that's what you wanted surely - I hear you say. And you'd be right, it's just, well imagine going back in time 60 years, and you'll get an idea of what I mean.
Life is amazing, peaceful, incredibly frustrating and, occasionally, terrifying. The bureaucracy here is a minefield that even the Italians don't understand, but that's another story for a rainy day.
So, we live in our converted, 300 year old farmhouse, isolato, as our Italian friends friends lament with confused and worried shakes of the head. Though we love it, how can you not? To wake up to this magnificent view everyday, sometimes with a glimpse of deer or wild boar, mostly to sunshine, no cars, just the odd tractor now and then. Bliss.
So this is my blog. It's been said that the Welsh and Italians have a similar temperament, both being volatile and spirited and, along with the mountains, maybe that's why I feel so at home here. Though you'll have to ask my husband about that.
I used to pop into London for a 'buzz', now it's Venice or Florence or Rome - I am a lucky Welshwoman living in Tuscany.
Keep in touch,
Sue xx
Faith in our future and also each other. We packed up a van and drove across Europe to settle in the Tuscan farmhouse that we'd recently renovated. Family waved us a teary goodbye but it was our time, our gap year ... or two ..... or three! Actually, it's six and still counting.
We have since acquired a dog, Sophie, and the occasional chicken, a garden, a business and an enormous amount of work!
People say we're brave. I'm not so sure. Naive maybe.
I'll be honest, it's been a steep learning curve. The pace of life is so different from the UK - well that's what you wanted surely - I hear you say. And you'd be right, it's just, well imagine going back in time 60 years, and you'll get an idea of what I mean.
Life is amazing, peaceful, incredibly frustrating and, occasionally, terrifying. The bureaucracy here is a minefield that even the Italians don't understand, but that's another story for a rainy day.
So, we live in our converted, 300 year old farmhouse, isolato, as our Italian friends friends lament with confused and worried shakes of the head. Though we love it, how can you not? To wake up to this magnificent view everyday, sometimes with a glimpse of deer or wild boar, mostly to sunshine, no cars, just the odd tractor now and then. Bliss.
So this is my blog. It's been said that the Welsh and Italians have a similar temperament, both being volatile and spirited and, along with the mountains, maybe that's why I feel so at home here. Though you'll have to ask my husband about that.
I used to pop into London for a 'buzz', now it's Venice or Florence or Rome - I am a lucky Welshwoman living in Tuscany.
Keep in touch,
Sue xx
Check out our website - www.time4tuscany.com - we offer great holidays here!