Old Friends New Friends - and laying our rustic Italian floor

It’s been a big week here in our part of the valley, Claudio and Sam have been laying the rock floor in the rustic lounge. Getting it level is an art form in itself, and for a few days we had to only walk on certain rocks which Carina thought was just like a Barbie movie.

Hopefully the floor will be finished next week and then we can start getting the heating in, Sam is meant to pick it up on Saturday. The house is getting a little cool in the evenings which could be due to the fact that we have no window in the lounge so the evening breeze blows straight in.

I’m not sure where the window actually went only it was taken out to put in the rock windowsill.

The art of finding, moving, fitting and laying these massive rustic Italian slabs of rock has me wondering just how long it took to actually build our house. I remain totally fascinated by the entire process and soak in any information I can find. I can’t wait to have a lounge room again and space to put my books, a big rug and a little desk to write at, my idea of heaven.

Through the week we have had many visitors which is a wonderful part of Summer. We got to meet up with Richard and Allegra from Living in the Langhe and spent the day talking non stop. They are also renovating and Richard blogs so I was in my element. They are expecting a baby which took us right back to the early days with Carina, ahhhh renovating with a baby now that’s a big adventure.

Richard wrote a wonderful post about the visit titled ‘Really Renovating Italy‘, it was great to see ourselves through their eyes and know that what we are doing here in our rustic Italian hideaway can be inspiring to others. Carina was totally smitten with ‘Otto’ who is the most gorgeous beloved little dog and she has been dropping hints ever since.

We also had a visit from Canadians Marj (pictured above on the right) and husband Lloyd, these two are volunteering in Bobbio and are almost at the end of a two year stint in Italy. Marj has just taken Italy into her soul and has the most beautiful excitement and enthusiasm which just shines from her.

Lloyd and I wandered along talking about parents and life and eating the blackberries, we met up with Antonio and his friend (above with the stick) who are both in their 80’s and we struggled to keep up with them. So many stories and a life time of knowledge and friendship, just beautiful to see. We did try our first batch of stinging nettles out on Marj and Lloyd and now have a free readily available replacement for spinach.

Sheila and Adrian came to see the house and stayed for lunch, we only recently met at a birthday party. Wonderful conversation and as they also love renovating and have a house we are yet to visit we had plenty to talk about. Sheila has such a vast knowledge of the history, traditions and building styles of the valley. She showed me the difference between the original lime and more modern cement used on the walls of the buildings and explained the differences and now has a convert. She is the queen of all things rustic Italian.

Friends from Gambasca also spent a day with us, we had another great walk and Marina and I talked about the kids, schools, and life as we walked. They have two boys so Carina and Luca were happy playing Lego, sunning on the river rocks and yes eating more blackberries. Funnily enough the men were happy to stand talking at the riverbank right next to two buxom ladies wearing bikini’s one with a g-string.

This year we are expecting visitors from Australia and America, I can’t wait to show them around. It is as we say in Melbourne getting ‘busier than Bourke Street’ x

In my quiet moments I have started rediscovering my creative side, experimenting with different effects for my photos and finally getting started on my book. Notice how I slipped that in right at the end in tiny letters, just so nobody can hold me to account…. it’s now in writing ….My Book!

So sending out thanks and love to old friends, new friends and those we are yet to meet….you make our world go round. I hope you love our Rustic Italian lifestyle as much as we do.

and the gang x

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Linda Rhyne says:
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Lisa, I love your blog. I can get lost in the pictures and descriptions of your life in Italy. I am a little confused about where you are now. Is Bobbio and Malpertus the same place? What has happened with your house in Veravo? Blessings, Linda, Charlotte, NC
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hi Linda, the closest town is Bobbio and Malpertus is the name of the borgata (village). They are around 3kms apart. The house in Veravo is up for sale and we have a lady interested in it at the moment. It is just beautiful but we are settled here now and love it x
  Hope I am not too confusing, sometimes I don’t even know where we are and what we are doing xx
Catherine says:
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Two very dangerous words have been written. My book!! Now I will badger you! I know how hard it is (thanks for the mention, this is cat) to feel creative when your kids are screaming, dinner hasn’t made itself, it’s cold, you have to drive somewhere, your stuff gets rejected anyway.. argh! I also wonder why I do it. But this week my second book came out (there’s a giveaway on my blog http://peltandotherstories.blogspot.com if you want to give a shout) and I’ve done it all with a terrible Internet connection, stuck in the foggy Veneto countryside, single-handedly raising four monsters (kids!), miles away from bus stops etc.. And yet I did it! So you can too! Good luck Lisa and I can’t wait till you have your rug and your desk and your best books on a shelf! Hugs xxcat
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh I am pulling my hair out and have tried a few times of day and different locations to do some writing but to no avail. You are so inspiring and if you can do it with all those demands on your time then so can I. Things are happening slowly but they are happening, xxx
Lisa Wood says:
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What an amazing floor you guys are putting in your Lounge Room 🙂 It is going to look so stunning when finished…I so can see a Cute Little Writing Table with a vase of Wild Flowers sitting on it, in the corner waiting for your Book to be written.
Your Renovating Italy is such a delight – meeting new friends, old friends and waiting for more to show up – such a wonderful way to live 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  The house is really coming together now Lisa and I can’t wait for the time we can just sit back and put our feet up. I also keep that little desk in mind through the mess and chaos, and have a few little ‘spots’ around the house that visually remind me….some african violets that my Mum sent me for Mothers Day, two little wooden birds from my sister in law, a madonna hanging in the bedroom given by my aunt, a big pot with flowers by the door, one day soon x
  
  I was trying to find a quote I heard in a Barbie movie about setting a place for the friends you are yet to meet… xx
  sending love to you and the gang xx
Sharon says:
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I think you are living my dream! X Sharon
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Sharon I’m so glad I found your beautiful blog, so many inspiring images and yes I am a secret Francophile as well and actually have a fb page called Renovating France for my more girlie moments.
  My Aunt in Australia sent me your link, and I come from a big renovating, decorating family and it has always been a passion.
  So great to meet you and here’s to dreamers!!
  ciao lisa x
diana says:
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Very ethereal photos and beautiful sentiments. This life brings one back to the most basic components of our existence, and helps us remember that they are truly sacred.

Is there a cement screed of some kind under the flagstones in the lounge? How is the moisture blocked?

Very good that you are writing your book into reality. The only way projects like writing happen is exactly the way houses like this happen. By doing it.

And you, my dear, are doing it.

Remember to take care of yourself and not get too exhausted – the biggest danger when there are so many things in the air.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Diana this is so true, life has changed dramatically in just five months. I am reminding myself to just get out and soak it all in, our family is slowly adjusting to a new outlook and I know this is home.
  
  The floor in the lounge is over the stables below, we are on three levels here with the old road down below and the new road above which we can access through a door on the upper landing.
  
  My husband loved the comment ‘By doing it’ as I’ve been doing it for some time now without actually producing much. I do so relate to your writing and those moments when it all is too much and think of you and what you take on xxx
  sending love xxx
Christine Long says:
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Hi Lisa

You sent me a lovely email via SourceBottle in response to a callout for an article I’m writing about buying cheap property in Europe for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Money section. I’ve tried sending you a couple of emails but haven’t heard anything. My deadline is this Wednesday (Sept 4) so I thought I’d try posting here as I’m keen to hear a little more about your experiences and in particular how you financed it – did you have the cash or did you get a mortgage? If you’ve got a few too many visitors and demands at the moment I understand. If that’s the case – I’d still like to draw on some of your experiences that you’ve already outlined in your blog. So perhaps you could just let me know if you are happy for me to do that.

Thank you!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hi Christine,
  
  Apologies once again and I just sent you an email. If you need anything else just let me know. So happy you contacted me again and please feel free to use anything from the blog xx
  ciao lisa