As I write this note it is the last day of February. March tomorrow and only three weeks till Spring officially starts! This has been a very wet month, has rained a lot and on many days. Most olive trimming continues with ladders sinking into water soaked ground as individuals try to reach the upper branches. But Umbria is most definitely green! It is beautiful. One of our local expats returned from a couple of months in Washington DC, where he went to escape the Umbrian winter and has been up to his backside in snow drifts and commented on how rich the coloures were!

So if you want to visit this part of the world it is a great time - low season from a pricing point of view and Spring is arriving with almond trees in bud and spring flowers appearing. Business has been slow for the tourist industry as well. So I would like to again mention two places we really like and suggest. One is l’Agriturismo Le Grazie, which is a working farm that produces its own produce, delivering woneful meals and reasonable accomodation at a great price. We have previously covered their olive oil production here. The other place, very different and an opportunity to spoil yourself is la Palazzetta del Vescovo.

Here in Umbria it is the season to trim ones olive trees. and Sarah writes:

In an effort to learn more about olive tree care and pruning (useful in the centro storico!), I followed the internet trail, through a wonderfully informative article on olive tree pruning, by Brian Chatterton, to the source itself: Brian and Lynne Chatterton are a delightful couple, living near Montegabbione, on their olive farm of 20 years, where they invite visitors to stay, or to have a day tour in groups, for a cost of 120€ per group, plus lunch 20-25€ each.

Brian has written numerous articles on olive tree care, and 2 books, specifically on olive cultivation. I bought the more recent ebook 'Growing Oil and Producing Olives', which is well written and clear in all its practical advice. Lynne has also written several books on their extensive and interesting travels, and on food/nutrition. This would be a great place to have an outing for those of us in need of advice in English, on olive care, as well as having some valuable reference material on hand, for year -round care, as well as when facing the tree with pruners! For further info, see their website