After a coolish June, when we had rain and thunder almost every afternoon, the summer switch was finally flicked ‘on’ and July was suddenly very hot and dry.
With the mercury soaring to high 30s, from low 20s, seemingly overnight, a few adjustments needed to be made. Bedding, wardrobe, exercise regime, food, coffee and alcohol intake all needed to be altered, for the sake of survival.
One could now really only be deemed competent at eating a gelato in the evening, or one would risk making a shameful mess in public. So, a short twilight walk down to the gelateria….
In summer I’m always very grateful for the beautiful water in the taps of Montalto, arriving cold and pure, as if just-melted snow, and in the low 40s a glass of cold crystal water is better than anything else I know.
Luckily the local shops are full of fresh salad produce, and it’s always a joy to shop each day just for what you need.
Eating out with a group of good friends is better in the cool of the evening, and thankfully there is no shortage of wonderful people still happy to fire up their kitchens for us, even in the heat. La dolce vita!
In July the seaside is too crammed and too hot for us, so we like to drive up into the mountains. The scenery is stunning, and up there, the beers stay cooler longer.
Getting all chores done early, or later in the evening, leaves a few hours indoors or in the shade of a good tree for reading, art & music, which is just perfect. Haymaking is being done by the farmers at night.
The summer evening festivities begin in July, and it’s a great time to catch up with friends who have returned to Montalto from the cities for the summer months. These excellent events are provided free by the town council, and everyone attends!
Until next year.
Ferragosto, August 15th, signals the start of summer holidays all over Italy. There is no point in expecting to contact a worker until September.
Late August gives way to early September and the mercury is now down to the low 30s, with a cooler evening breeze, making it much easier to sleep.
The air is clearer now, hillside bales of straw and hay are ready for collecting, and it’s back to the beach again.
September is a superb month in Italy. We have time for one more trip away with good friends. I’m looking forward to the colours of autumn, getting in more long walks, the new wine, chestnuts and olive picking in October.
My Hilltop Town Italy 