We had a gorgeous fine, sunny day today at Casa Debbio, so my friend and I went for a walk through gorgeous Vergemoli.
We walked past ripening cherries.
And growing figs.
Yellow flowers with bees.
Past the outdoor amphitheatre with the huge chestnut trees shading the stage.
Down past the cemetery.
And down the road to the old mill that I had heard about.
I called out Buongiorno, and Sisto came out of his workshop and greeted us warmly. Sisto was born and has lived all his life in the most amazing house beside a water wheel. He works with wood and his machinery is still driven with water power. He was much too shy to be photographed, but he did allow me to take photos of his house.
This is his view.
He took us through a tunnel to the water wheel. The original wheel was made of wood, but it has been replaced with a metal one.
He has a water fall which ends in a rock pool where children like to swim in summer.
Did you happen to notice the speakers under the eaves of the roof?
There are about 100 of them and when the mood takes him, Sisto likes to play classical, tango or accordion music. I can hear it at Casa Debbio and I love it. When our house was being built I would often watch the builders laying bricks and stones to a tango beat.
I told Sisto that I thought his house was wonderful and that I would be happy to listen to his music whenever he felt like playing it. I wish he had let me take his photo. He is a delightful, charming and very attractive old man.
His cat saw us out.
Later in the day we drove to Trassilico, the village we look at from Casa Debbio.
As we walked to the top of the village to the old fort high above Trassilico, we could hear snatches of music when there was a gap between the houses. From the fort we could clearly see Vergemoli and Sisto’s house, and his music was coming loud and clear across the valley.
It was quite hazy by then, so the photo is not clear, but you can see Vergemoli on the top of its mountain and Sisto’s house to the right.
My friend got a bit carried away and tried a little conducting.
I think this could only happen in Italy…how could you not love it?