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15 October 1883 — Castagnolo | |
Monday. 15th October [1883]. Went to see Mr Ross’ orchids with him & then the Ross’, Henry & I walked to Lastra to see the town wh is surrounded entirely by its own fortified walls & has its four medieval gateways. It is a small town & the walls most picturesque. We walked half round it & were only away from the villa abt ¾ hour. Packed up my bag & then went with the whole party to wh was added 2 Miss Stauntons to the vineyard to see the vintage & to help. We had scissors or knives given us & large baskets & large white aprons & we set to work but it was so hot bending in the sun that we did not keep to it very long & were glad to get comfortable chairs in the shade. All the Orsi family, brother & sister & nieces (I dont know how many) were there. We met the Dss of Sermoneta & her friend Lady Franes Michal (née Legge) & the latter joined us at lunch– The Ross’ factotum, Fortunato, served us an excellent repast & when it was over the guitar came out & we had a great many Tuscan songs & were merry & forgot the real business of the day, the vintage. Abt 3 we had to return to the Villa & prepare for our return to Florence. Mr Ross escorted us to the tram & we found the Dss going up at the same time & went together. Just before we started as we were sitting in the garden of the Villa came a Mr & Mrs Tharpe to pay the Ross a visit. After I had been introduced to Mrs T. she told me she remembered me & that we had met in 1867 at Spa when I was there with our governess Miss Kemble & she Mrs Tharpe was then Miss Amesley. I have a vague recollection of the name nothing more. We got to Florence at 5 & went to the Gran Bretagne & took our same rooms. Dined at table d’hôte & sat next to Lord Hardings and Henry & he had much artistic talk. Cribbage in the evening. | |
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