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“September 2006
We’ve just been in hot Vicinato
So a debriefing message is due
As the visitors book has gone missing
Herewith, then, our comments to you.
We’re delighted that someone remembered
This old house, ‘forgotten’ by name,
Unknown to the Ordnance Survey
And hid down a dead-ended lane
Whose original turn is a hairpin
Obscuring the important sign –
Oh, and did I mention the gradient/
Our chassis was scraped to a shine!
The directions at best were misleading
And as evening descended to night
We had just passed the Rio a fourth time –
The chest of the driver was tight.
But at last we discerned the ‘Termina’
Which brought to an end our chagrin…
All that’s needed is ‘hit Molazzana,
Turn around, then turn right at the bins’!
In the mornings we woke to the birdsong,
At night we were lulled by the bark
Of a huge hairy neighbourhood watchdog,
Echoing round about in the dark.
We all thought the house was enchanting
Though we see building progress is slow,
The number to sleep being ten now;
‘second kitchen and bathroom’? Well..no…
But the ones that there are function stoutly,
The pipes only just short of boil,
And a grown-up attempt at the hip bath
Giving great entertainment to all.
Claudia the owner is lovely
And her restaurant tips can’t be beat,
The prettiest and best Eremita
With its fine, if anonymous, meat –
Just beware of her guidance to find it:
If you (wrongly) get up to the part,
1 in 3, one car’s width – Vergemoli –
have a care for that same driver’s heart!
Good advice was not bother with Florence
A traffic and parking nightmare,
Though it’s fun to observe David’s huge hands
Somehow odd with his pretty boy hair.
But Lucca was simply delightful –
Ma and Pa even took to two wheels –
And Gallicano market Wednesdays
Had good shoes and linen, a steal.
So goodbye then to dear Vicinato,
And back now to work – what a bore!
Our thanks to you, Forgotten Houses, -
We could not have enoyed ourselves more.”
“Absolutely fantastic …best holiday we’ve ever had … better than basic”
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