2011 Olive harvest

Deborah and I have just completed the 2011 olive harvest, with the help of Anna Gregor who came all the way from Edinburgh, and head gardener Roberto Ballini. 2011 has been an exceptionally hot and dry year, and most people have made less than half the amount of oil they made in 2010; we made about two-thirds of last year's quantity ( 200 litres instead of 300), so we are pretty pleased. We used a mechanical shaker for the first time, and it made a huge difference to how fast we could work - we did the whole job in 4 days, collecting 1158 Kg of olives in 56 crates, which our friendly builder Marcello delivered to the Frantoio ( olive press) for us. Four hours later we had our oil, and the good news is that the quality is exceptional - it tastes just wonderful !

We have cracked Broadband at last !

For the last few years there has been only one fly in the ointment at Ripertoli - the unreliable broadband internet connection supplied by Telecom Italia, which worked for about two-thirds of the time at best, and slowly at that.

Our indefatigable IT consultant Alessio Civai has been hard at work researching alternative WiFi solutions, and even installed one at his own home to test it out. He was satisfied with the results, and in July 2011 we signed a contract with " T & T Tecnologie & Telecomunicazioni srl" for a 3 Mps service. So far it has proved 100% reliable, and much faster than the old service.

Right now the internal wireless network covers only the main house, but we will extend it to the capanne shortly.

Ripertoli 2011 season off to a great start !

8 bedrooms with 8 en-suite bathrooms at last ! Deborah & I feel that we have finally achieved our aim with the construction programme we put through in the winter of 2010 - 11, and our clients so far this year certainly seem to agree - we have had some lovely thank-you letters, some of which are now comments on this blog. The whole place looked an absolute picture when we left on July 23, and we can't wait to go back in October, and again in November for the olive harvest. Nigel Tully.

Ripertoli is Absolutely Beautiful!

Ripertoli is absolutely beautiful! We had a wonderful time.

Thank You, Beautiful Marisa

Bella Marisa

Grazie cosi tanto per tutti che abbiate fatto per noi mentre siamo stati qui a Ripertoli. Siete una gemma! Il vostro senso delicato ci ha reso il benvenuto di tatto molto. I pasti che avete cucinato per noi erano completamente autentici e molto squisiti...il meglio abbiamo avuti in tutto della Toscana.

Siete cosi dolce e premuroso...il regalo di un telaio in argento fine d di un legno alla mamma ed al papa e bello! E noi, lo ricorderemo sempre!

Puo il dio continuare a benedirlo e la vostra famiglia con l'abbondanza e la gioia...avete nostro amore...

La famiglia del Adams

P.S.: Anche se il nostro italiano era molto difettoso, eravate cosi paziente con noi! Graize per quello pure. Se dimentichiamo qualche cosa, non esiti prego a metterselo in contatto con...che lo renderemo di destra.

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(In English)

Beautiful Marisa

Thank you so much for all you have done for us while we've been here at Ripertoli. You are a gem! Your gentle way made us feel very welcome. The meals you cooked for us were completely authentic and very delicious...the best we have had in all of Tuscany.

You are so sweet and thoughtful...the gift of a frame in fine silver and wood to Mum and Dad is beautiful! They, and we, will remember you always!

May God continue to bless you and your family with abundance and joy...you have our love...

The Adams Family


P.S.: Even though our Italian was very bad, you were so patient with us! Thank you for that as well. If we've forgotten anything, please do not hesitate to contact us...we will make it right.

Welcome to the Ripertoli blog

Welcome to our new blog, which will be all about Ripertoli, our 1000 year old farmhouse in Tuscany. We rent out the house throughout the year to visitors from all over the world, giving them all the opportunity to discover the beauty of Italy from the comfort of a 40 acre estate with enough room to sleep 17 (not to mention a pool to siesta at!).

There's plenty more information about the house at its official website: http://www.ripertoli.com/

This is a video of my band, The Dark Blues (www.darkblues.co.uk for a shameless plug) performing near Ripertoli last year. It shows off the house, the beautiful surrounding countryside and the band all in one fell swoop!

If you have any questions or comments about the house or the band please drop me a line at nigeltully@darkblues.co.uk