The summer solstice has us all celebrating as we embrace the onset of summer. Mind you, in Tuscany, the summer heat this year has been with us for months – one of the hottest Junes on record according to the local farmers here in Italy. The much-needed spring rain was just a trickle, then departed. The near-drought conditions soon bleached the vibrant green fields of newly sprouted, waving and undulating wheat that surround our property to a shimmering golden yellow. Even our hardy olive trees seemed to be gasping for a drink under the relentless sun.
I have always loved the heat. The long hot summer days of my childhood in the north of England were blissful. Memories of blue skies and no rain, absolutely
no rain. This is doubtful in one of the wettest area of Europe, but in my mind those summers were perfection. Thin cotton dresses, best friends and
lazy school holidays that seemed to go on forever. Lying on our stomachs listening to Mungo Jerry (google him and smile) on a portable radio whilst
licking fluorescent ice lollies and giggling about some boy at the other end of the football pitch. The only miserable moments occurred as the summer
sun set and I was called inside each evening by my hateful mother. She would scream into the street to leave my soccer game or rounders (a kind of
British version of Baseball.) “Bed!” she would yell. “So not fair, everyone else gets to stay up.” I would wail back as I was dragged inside. Of course,
I wasn’t the only kid to be bathed and put to bed before the village street lights came on announcing grown-up people’s bedtime! The next morning,
the sun always rose, cereal was laid out by my lovely mum and another glorious day of freedom blossomed before me.
Jump forward forty odd years and unbelievably to me, I am in another country, Italy. I am still lapping up the summer with the same relish and joy
of that seven-year-old. Now I get to share the great outdoors in this foreign land with others who visit our Tuscan Getaways. On their first day of
this weekly retreat I guide them along the pathways that snake amongst the olive groves. We wander along the rows of vines that stand to attention
in our vineyard and explore the dense chestnut woods. I marvel at their delight as wafts of mint floats up from under foot followed by wild oregano
and garlic. The sheer pleasure of sharing my plot of summer paradise with complete strangers is reminiscent of ‘schools out.’
These women, who visit our annual retreats from around the world, are luxuriating in being far away from their daily responsibilities, work and even
family. They shake off their woes, lose the endless noise in their heads as they abandon their everyday lives, albeit for only a week. I watch them
blossom with happiness and childlike enthusiasm. They come to my getaways for a variety of reasons. Many to tick off something from their bucket list
or to experience everything that spectacular Tuscany has to offer and always to revel in the comradery of new friends. They bring their often weary
souls to mend and change. I would love to think it is my lovingly decorated property, or our chef’s delicious Tuscan food or even the copious amount
of local wine, but I am convinced it is the sunshine and the sense of summer school holidays. The bombardment of vitamin D, the relaxation of tight
winter muscles and the smiles that soften faces as the Tuscan sun guides us through each breathtaking day.
For years I had a vision of what my endless summer days would be like in Italy, in fact I began buying floaty dresses years before I’d even decided
on the furnishings. I often envisioned my new life as I dragged myself through airports and meetings. I pictured myself, basket swinging on my arm
as I gathered the delights from my vegetable garden, sipped wine in the hammock in one of those flowery dresses and chatted to neighbors with names
such as Luigi or Giovanni. And I pulled it off. I now look forward to the endless summer months in this baked land as I welcome my guests, family and
friends. Summers in Tuscany are perfection. Enjoy yours, wherever you may be.
~ Debbie