Lee's Tuscan Odyssey: 76. Iris Garden II and Greve flower market

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo

It's only the beginning of May and already Florence is in the middle of a 32° C heatwave and there is still a month to go before the local outdoor pool opens...

Last year we went to see the Iris garden a little late and most of the flowers were nearly finished, so this year we've come earlier and it's much better. We come after work on Saturday and as we stroll round most of the flowers are just about hitting their peak and what a sight it is... Irises of every conceivable colour, beautifu!

Afterwards we cool down with a refreshing 'granita' which is a kind of crushed ice slush puppy, but made with fresh lemons... just the job! Followed by a walk up to San Miniato al Monte, where we enjoy the spectacular views of the city.

Sunday and a short drive into Greve and more flowers! There is a flower market and the triangular piazza is covered with them, making for quite a sight. We purchase a rather nice blue 'ortensia' that's hydrangea to you! Which will go nicely on our terrace...

Here finishes book 3 of my journal and I end it dreaming of summer, holidays, concerts, swimming and the like!

(Original journal entry 4/5/03)

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