Images

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If a move to another country is determined solely by the view then we think these images are sufficient justification. The cliché is true – the light is ever changing in Tuscany and this must be a classic amongst Italian vistas. Every day it is different and rarely less than stunning. I must confess that on those moments when I wondered what I was doing, digging out the 2,000 tonnes, a look at the sunset was enough to restore one’s faith

The castle is on a knoll at 600 metres with a sweeping view of the lake and far mountains, approx. 12 miles away. This part of the Apennines is known as the Alpe della Luna- Mountains of the moon – largely because the underlying terrain is soft alluvial mud.

Behind us the mountains rise to 1400 metres and for me they have such a feeling of West Ireland that it makes me feel at home. So we have the ambience of two countries. Unfortunately fitting in the odd fjord, to make Janne feel totally comfortable has proved a little difficult!

The castle and its reconstruction apart, the most important aspect was the proximity of the nearest bar/restaurant which, joy of joys, is a mere 2 kms away. The nearest town is only 10 minutes further on. Hence a truly tranquil spot is adjacent to bustling life – fantastic.

We hope it is possible to understand progress from these images. The entire site was clearly an outpost of the Matt Grosso jungle.

It took about 5 weeks to arrive at the condition in photo 2 and a further 4 years to reach photo 3. What we saw after the ivy was removed was very close to our original assumptions. The aspect that took longest to confirm was the loggia above the main gate.

Getting rid of the Ivy needed chain saws and anything with a sharp edge. Burning the infernal stuff involved vast quantities of petrol – spectacular explosions and some near misses. Slow learner that I am I eventually concluded diesel was a tad safer.

As may be imagined the views from the rebuilt tower are stupendous covering virtually 360 degrees. The detailing of the rebuild is as close to the original as we can make it.

This is the side of the building for where there was nothing from which to obtain guidance.

The probability is that the original East wall was 4 metres further east. The tiny fragment of wall poking above the surface of the rubble has been rebuilt and can be seen inside the arch. The arches were a bit of a guess, at first, as to how the ground floor might have appeared. Fortunately, when excavating a rubble filled room, we found the remains of a medieval arch, which justified the design.

The view from the sitting room is as it was for centuries (bar the existence of the lake).