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

36 replies

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Krista says:
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Oh LISA!!! I’m SO thrilled for you about all these lovely, lovely things. 🙂 A book, a gorgeous floor, such wonderful people visiting, and summer. 🙂 I hope one day soon I’ll get to visit you and set to work helping you with ANYTHING. 🙂 xo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh that would be just fantastic, you and Sam could cook up wonderful medieval meals and we could all sit around the fire toasting marshmallows lol. I’d so love to meet you guys in person and you’d love the locals here, so friendly and down to earth. You always inspire me Krista and Sam now knows your photo and has stopped asking me ‘who’s this blonde chick?” now he says ‘Oh Krista’s said hello”…. he drives me nuts when he gets in my comments lol
  xxxx
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Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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Lisa, Steve said to tell Sam that if he’ll buy him a ticket he’ll come over and work for him! In amongst losing four parents in three years we took this little unintentional sabbatical from life and Steve stoned a little terrace area up the back in between two old original concrete sheds. I made him lots of cups of tea. It’s our little piece of Italy in Bathurst. It’s such a big job. Be careful you don’t hurt yourselves. He also said to say that Sam’s rocks look bigger than his!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Sam laughed when I read him this, we’d love to have Steve over and you as well!! Now buying the ticket could be a bit of a problem..
  I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of the parents, how sad and all so soon. I have lost my Dad, Brother and we lost our son but Sam has never lost an immediate family member and fingers crossed I hope he doesn’t have to deal with this grief for many years.
  Tell Steve I’ll join him in the cups of tea, and we can make some terraces over here, how wonderful would it be to see you here in Italia!! And as for Sams rocks…. well I’m totally not going any where near that comment LOL xxx
  ciao gorgeous you always make me smile, sending love xxx
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  - Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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    Good to hear xx Let’s consider it a work in progress.
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Trisha Thomas says:
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That is an incredible floor ! It reminds me a bit of the old Roman Roads, as though as far as I can tell, those weren’t very flat. I admire the incredible skill of Claudio and Sam. And what a gorgeous spot and exciting adventure, and good for you for starting your book. I finished my manuscript two years ago and then started a blog because I was told that would help me find a publisher. I’ve been blogging for two years, have not touched my manuscript, and am nowhere closer to getting published. I wish there was someone out there who could help me figure this whole blog, book-writing and publishing thing out. Still, I think you and I are both on the right path trying to do both –even though sometimes I get overwhelmed with it all. And on top of all that we are both mothers, and you are renovating and I am working, so I think we better take the long-term view.
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- Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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  Trish, You might want to contact Christine Gilbert over at Almost Fearless. She runs a blogging course called Blog Brilliantly and she’s also in the throws of having a first book published. Very savvy about this sort of thing. Margaret
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  - Lisa Chiodo says:
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    Fantastic Margaret and I love Almost Fearless so I’ll go and take a look now. Thanks for helping Trisha she is just brilliant and is a journalist in Rome. If you get a chance take a look at her site, the link is below on her comment. I love that we all have such big dreams and are slowly finding a way to make them come true xxx
    
    Sorry it took me some time to get back to everyone here, been really tired x
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hi Trisha, do you know Catherine over at The divorced Lady’s companion to living in Italy?
  http://thedivorcedladyscompaniontoitaly.blogspot.it/2013/08/i-am-sorry-cecile.html
  So many people through my fb page are writers and I’m part of a group here in Italy I”ll add you .
  You are way ahead of me having a manuscript so don’t give up, it can be overwhelming especially as you say with all that goes with family life. I know that person who could help you work things out must exist so it’s just a matter of finding them!! Is it a novel? Maybe we should make this our year of the book!!
  sending love my fellow writer xxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  OOps somehow my reply is in the wrong spot and I have no clue how to move it, just look a few down under Margaret and you’ll see it Trisha xxx
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jann says:
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Wonderful floor!!!! Wonderful friends!!! To be renovating and then inundated with visitors to boot–that’s the good and crazy life! Good luck with your book project, Lisa. Can’t wait till it comes out! xxxxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Early days Jann but putting it in writing is certainly helping me focus. Life is good even through the craziness and we are expecting two lots of friends from Australia in the next few weeks and a new friend from America in November. All Good!
  xxx lisa
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Nicki says:
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It sounds so busy up there now, a constant stream of visitors! Maybe one day we,ll stop by too..
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  That would be wonderful Nicki, you’d be very welcome!! xxx
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Janine says:
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Overwhelmed, inspired, proud excited…for you, dear Lisa! Un abbraccio da Melbourne, xox
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes I must say sometimes overwhelmed myself Janine lol x Now if only I could have a house in Melbourne and Italia that would be perfect xxx
  sending love x
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Richard Noble says:
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Hi Lisa – thanks for your lovely words! The floor is looking incredible already, it’s really coming together. How’s Sam’s back holding up after lifting all those stones?? And well done for getting started on the book! I look forward to your next update…
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Well his back is okay as I give him a massage every morning…I’m surprised he can move some days. The stove is coming in as I type….yep it’s 8.55pm but Sam and Claudio have decided now it the right time arghhhh! This should be good! Enjoying your posts and fb updates…ciao ciao lisa and Sam xx
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Doug Porter says:
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Ciao Lisa, no backing out on the ‘BOOK’ now that it’s in the public domain!!
buona fortuna.
xox
D
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hmmmm this time I don’t want to back out, it’s time to start achieving rather than talking!!
  I see you doing this already with your new website, just stunning photography and I sent you a link I think you’ll like.
  ciao ciao dear friend
  xxxx
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Wynne says:
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“Your book!” Now it’s real. It’ll be fabulous, you’ll see. And that rock floor for the lounge…that is going to be so incredible! Loving your journey…
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I’ve been thinking about this for so long it seems real in my mind already lol x
  The floor is almost done and I can’t wait to use the room, we got slats for the bed today so I might move back in. So much has been happening and it’s hard to keep up with everything, can’t wait for you to visit xxx
  lisa
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Anne says:
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Wow this is just amazing how you have found a new life ,, and lots of new friends ,, I think it is wonderful ,, and Now I see you are going to write a book !! Well done to you ,, 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  This time everything just seems to have gell Anne, I feel I’ve been here a lifetime and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Great friends and the beautiful valley, and our family slowly coming together is just priceless. Life is good,
  sending love xxx
  Reply