Saturday 8th June

Saturday 8th June

We were up a bit later but still in the kitchen by 8.30 a,m. There was much to do. MAC was set to dead head the flowers in the garden and I worked with Stefania grating a mound of zucchini, slicing salami, prosciutto and cheese for the antipasto for the100 people coming this evening. We cleaned up around the place and did a few odd jobs as Stefania ran errands and continued preparing the food for both this evening and also for tomorrow’s party of 70.

By mid day it had got very hot outside, probably in the upper 80’sF

We had lunch with the left-overs from the baby octopus dinner we had cooked a day or so ago. Then a nap and then, at 2.30 p.m. back up to the kitchen where the staff had arrived and we cut up fruit for the dessert, melon and watermelon. Then we helped to set up the tables outside with tablecloths, plates, cutlery and floral table decorations. There were 18 tables set up on the grass outside and the whole things looked very attractive.

The set up for the big party for over 100 people

Around 4.45 p.m. the first guests arrived and set up balloons and other decorations. The star of the show, a one year old girl celebrating her birthday, arrived with her parents.

Gradually more people drifted in and wandered around looking at the animals. A lady approached us and told us that one of the baby goats had got his head stuck in some fencing. Having backward facing horns, the baby goat was unable to extricate itself. MAC and I rushed over and MAC was able to maneuver the goat’s head out of its predicament for which it seemed to be grateful. Later Stefano, who looks after the animals says the small goats are often doing this as they see hay in the next enclosure. 

We sat outside in the warm evening, mulling whether to go out or not and decided against it. Soon Nadia brought down some antipasto and later Stefania brought at chilled bottle of wine and then later some croquettes. We are just spoiled here all the time and it will be a shock to get home where we are not!!

The party was slow to start and the pool was an attraction for the young ones so the food service was delayed.

MAC has started to pack our things for departure tomorrow. We will leave around midday for a hotel near Rome’s Fiumincino airport where we will stay until early Monday morning when we will return the car and board our flight to London and then onwards to JFK. We have already ordered a car from there home and should be home around 4 p.m. Monday 10th June, with luck.

Mac continued to pack, grumbling all the time even though on the return journey packing is not important and clothes can be stuffed in anywhere.

The party started at around 5 p.m. and lasted past midnight with those with young children leaving earlier but some stragglers staying later. This meant that Stefania and the staff had to clear up very late and this with a party again tomorrow starting at around noon. It is a hectic schedule.

We went to sleep to the sound of the children’s entertainer singing ‘Old Macdonald had a farm’ in Italian and other kid’s songs.