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31 August 1908 — Castel Savoia, Gressoney St. Jean | |
Monday. 31st [August 1908]. Most splendid day. I walked out in the morning with Princess Strongoli & meeting Genl Allason we walked together to Gressoney. The sky was bright blue—there was not a cloud in the whole valley & it was fresh & pleasant tho’ before we got back to the castle the sun was very hot. Lunched at 12 & only just returned in time. The Genl very kindly presented to me a little oil painting he had done for me. He has an extraordinary talent for doing views painted alla prima very rapidly & with great effect. After lunch we only sat working for the Ch. trees till 2 when the Q. rose from her work & talk with Blaserna & the Genl & told us to be ready to start for a walk at 3.30 as we were to go up the hill side to a chalet belonging to Baron Peccoz called Belvedere. It was a lovely walk through the pine woods. I walked on ahead with Mimi & we got up there quite 20 min. before the rest of the party. It is a lovely spot & there is an open balcony round the chalet where the table for tea was prepared. The view down the valley finishing with Monte Rose is very striking especially when as today– The whole sky is cloudless. Prof: Giacosa only accompanied us a little way & then took his leave & returned to his home at Parella in the Canavese not far from here. We had polenta served at tea of which some eat large platefulls, also sandwiches, pastry Marsala, chocolate & tea. The sun was getting low when we set off to return to the Castle & we got in at 6.45. Dined at 8. All missed Giacosa who was amusing as well as instructive. Blaserna is more solemn & the Genl rather sad. At 10.30 arrived from Milan Count Guiccioli with his brother (& sister in law) who has just been appointed Ambassador in Japan & will be starting for his post in October. He & she are old friends whom I used to meet at Css Pisani’s (Vescovana) & I am glad to meet them again. On my return from our walk I found a telegram from Henry Guest saying he & Freddie & his wife are arriving at Venice this evening. I telegraphed to say I hope they will go to Ca’ Capello & wrote to same effect sending letter & telegram to Giuseppe to find them out & deliver to Henry. | |
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