It’s been a while since our last update, nearly 2 years, so we’ll give you the condensed version.
We weren’t living in ‘our’ loft apartment by Christmas 2006 though by then all the other apartments were pretty well complete.
Rosario came back to rebuild the bread oven, the magnificent edifice is now used on a weekly basis for pizza making which has become a popular tradition here at Casal dei Fichi.
Summer 07 was a great success for us, the apartments were occupied most of the time and we got to meet some lovely people from all over the world. In July we held an Inaguratione or launch party at the house. A beautiful sunny day with a selection of friends and curious villagers contributing to over 200 people enjoying an excellent buffet provided by Madre Tierra (MT’s), our local restaurant, eccentric live, and increasingly pre-recorded music from the increasingly inebriated ‘piano-man,’ a bouncy castle and rounded off with spectacular poolside fireworks, it took a week for Ian to clean the debris out of the pool.

September saw another party as Bruce and Elaine, who had married in the spring, came to Casal dei Fichi to celebrate with their friends and family. A delicious sea-food lunch was followed back at Casal dei Fichi by pizza and dancing to a live accordionist. The following day Elaine, beautiful in her bridal dress, and Bruce were driven by Rosario, who had scrubbed himself up almost as much as his sparkling black truck, to the magnificent church of Santa Croce where an informal ceremony was held under the ancient brick arches.

Roger (oh yes, still here) tiled our bathrooms, ah – the bliss of having a bath after 2 years! – the kitchen was fitted and in January we finally moved into our apartment occupying the whole of the top floor. Moving in was a matter of urgency since the rest of the house was occupied by our friends who came out on 2nd Feb for our Civil Partnership party. If we say so ourselves, Casal dei Fichi is a damn good place for a party. We had a marquee on the front of the house and opened up 2 of the living rooms. MT’s catered a delicious meal for 50 people, mainly our friends from the UK. In the evening we were joined by 70 local friends, Mauro from the Dorchester and Harrods entertained us with his fantastic piano playing and singing, Lorraine Bowen performed her unique and wonderful show and we danced till the small hours. Francavilla has never seen the likes, but all the people of all ages were so supportive that we really felt that we have been totally accepted into the community.