A special visitor came to stay at La Preghiera this week, Sebastian Kelly, Editor of the Daily Mail’s Property on Sunday, and author of Amedeo, a fascinating account of Amedeo Guillet, Italy’s most decorated war hero and distinguished postwar diplomat. Sebastian had met John and Liliana some 15 years ago when he was writing another book “Setting up in Italy”, about living and working abroad and found that they had much in common, not least John’s substantial lead soldier collection, which is now housed in the museum at La Preghiera. Here also, Sebastian was pleased to discover that John has many original newspapers of “Corriere della Sera” from the 1930’s, the time of the Abyssinian campaign in which Amedeo was deeply involved.
Leaving us a signed copy of Amedeo, Sebastian writes:
“To John and Liliana – After the years, we meet again. I’ve written a book and you’re living in an idyll….”
Accompanied by his delightful daughters, Emily and Anna, they too signed our visitor book:
“Cool, fab, fun and lovely” – Coming from an eleven year old, we think this high praise indeed!
The 8th October was a very special day for all of us at La Preghiera. It was the wedding day of our manager Sally Ann Lucock, now Mrs Marconi, and we were all involved in preparations for the big day! Sally Ann married in a civil wedding ceremony in the ancient Comune (Town hall) in Città di Castello, a medieval building with an elegant Sala di Consiglio in gothic style, large enough to hold the 150 guests!!! The civil ceremony was enhanced with friends reading poetry and a brass quartet played Handel and Purcell. An extra surprise, the town band of Città di Castello was waiting to serenade the newlyweds as they came down the stairs after the ceremony! Great friend and world champion ice cream maker, Palmiro Bruschi of Ghignoni Ice Creams, made a fabulous wedding cake (see the photo) for the reception.
