November News Letter

Bring on Autumn

Now this is getting spooky, three news letters on the trot and all on time, it is a record!
October slipped by and on the whole it was a nice month with daytime temperatures nudging 20 degrees on some days, even the night time temperatures were good holding up at around 10 degrees which is still quite respectable.

The grape harvest is done and dusted and the local farmers have fired up their ovens and re producing copious amounts of home made Vino Cotto. For those that don’t know it the best way I can describe it is to liken it to a Sherry, but stronger. It is made by pressing the grape pulp a second time then boiling the liquid and hey presto Vino Cotto. So now they have made the stuff it is now not a good time to be driving around the lanes here as they are all very keen to get some of their home brew down their neck as soon as it hits the bottle, plus they tour their friends farms trying their annual brew, it’s three wheel Ape mania!
Staying with this theme back in June, a builder friend of ours from Gualdo, arrived one day clutching a bottle of home made Cherry Wine. I assumed it was last years as the cherries for this year were only just ripe and ready for picking, but no, he said he picked the cherries earlier in the week. Pam tasted it and said it was absolutely fantastic and asked him how it was made. ‘Can’t tell you, sorry but it’s a family secret’ they always are! Anyway she persisted and told him that if he wanted anymore work he would have to spill the beans, or in this case the cherries.

Our local expert on all things                                             Exchanging recipes

He went to great lengths to explain how you remove the stones from the cherries and place a quantity in a grape press and then squeeze out all the juice from the cherries. Once you have your liquid you then add sugar, the quantity of cherries to sugar was not going to be divulged. At this point I assumed some kind of fermentation would take place, but no, remember the Vino Cotto, they aim here is the same and that is to produce alcohol as quickly as possible, so where does the alcohol content come from? Well in this case it was simple. Once you have your cherry juice and sugar you then add three litres of........................... VODKA!    and, hey presto, Cherry Wine ready to drink straight away. You have to smile!

November historically is a very wet and miserable month but so far it has been much better than previous years, here’s hoping it continues.

You will remember in last months issue we featured a selection of properties for sale here, and as a result a number of people have booked to come and have a look around the area and they are ready to buy, so maybe things are looking up. There is certainly no shortage of properties available at the moment and the better agents working here are recording a decent level of business, not just from the UK but also from Holland and Germany.

       

From this issue on we are going to start printing a recipe each month. The recipes are all from dishes we serve here and will include Antipasta, Prima, Secondo and of course some of our Dolce. They will be our favourite recipes plus the ones that people ask for most when staying here, have a go at them they are all easy to make and I am sure you will enjoy them.

Finally in our round up of what’s going on I would like to say a big thank you to our Water Company who for reasons best known to themselves have decided to lay a new water main to the properties along the lane here. They tell us that the existing main is now too old to be repaired anymore so a new one is the only answer. So the plan is to run a pipe from the farm at the end of the lane down to us and onto the properties further along the lane, in all 500 metres of plastic pipe. It all started two weeks ago and it will be no surprise to anyone that it’s not finished yet. What they have achieved is to reduce the lane to a hill climb challenge. I don’t know if you remember watching it on TV where people have various types of automobile and they have to climb a muddy, slippery hill, the one that gets the furthest wins. Well that’s what our lane was like. They started cutting the trench and after they got about half way the rain came, so they stopped work and having spread soil and rocks from the trench all over the lane plus they had reduced the width of the lane, it soon became a quagmire.

The first problem came when my son took the bus out to collect some people and got stuck half way up the hill, he slid straight into the field. No problem the four wheel drive pick up soon towed it out.
Next day the water people bought in a bob cat digger and started to shovel up the mud and slurry, this made it worse.  Anyway this particular morning Pam was taking some guests to the airport and collecting another guest at the same time. So me being the kind and considerate soul I am decided that she should go ahead in the Pick up and I would follow in the bus, therefore if the bus got stuck, which of course was most unlikely as I was driving, we could tow it out. Once we got to the end of the lane we would swop over and I would come back in the pick up. For the record Pam was doing the airport run as she wanted to visit IKEA, I don’t do IKEA.

So off we go, the Pick Up is in four wheel drive and Pam steams off down the lane and straight up the hill past the work men and over the rise. Now it’s my turn, my theory here was to attack the slope at speed thus using my momentum to carry me up the hill using as few revs as possible to keep traction on the front wheels. Now this plan was working well until I got halfway up the hill and one of the workmen stepped out in front of me and held up his hand to stop me. WHY? I don’t know but the stupid idiot was adamant I had to stop which I did and of course I was knackered. When he waved me on all I succeeded in doing was spraying muck and stones everywhere with no forward movement whatsoever. Never mind though the pick up was on top of the rise and Pam will have seen my dilemma and would therefore be reversing down the lane at any time. NOPE!

To reduce this story to a reasonable length I managed to roll back to find some more solid ground and managed to get to the top. Where was Pam, who was after all going to be my saviour in the unlikely event I failed in my quest? She was outside the farm at the end of the lane chatting to a friend. When questioned about the logic of all this she looked puzzled and explained that she thought she was taking the pick up so I didn’t have to walk back. Trust me, I did not swear or even cuss, not out loud at least. (He is a total fibber – the air was blue, AND, he shouted!)

                                                Our lane after the work

My turn to spill the beans
Have you ever been overtaken with a fit of the giggles? Mirthless laughter, unable to stop. AND. You know it’s not really funny, but someone else’s misfortune. I have that kind of humour, as does Georgina.

This story began with Ian trying to round up the cats to put them away for the night. But, he hadn’t banked on Ralph (Georgina’s very spoilt and lazy cat) who had slept all day and was now ready for a game. Ian chased him all around the garden, you know, just reaching him, only to see him sprinting off to another part of the garden. Finally Ian got very close, and thinking Ralph was tired, as he was now sitting on the bank, made a grab for him. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case............. Ralph was actually stopped for a comfort break. So, poor Ian returned to the house with Ralph, and a face like thunder, AND very wet! Needless to say it took some time for us all to regain our composure. In the meantime, having shared the story with Georgina, who was in the UK, she called Ian several times to commiserate, only to have him hang up on her as she couldn’t stop laughing. This was not quite the end of the story. Subsequently after a posting on Facebook, there were many comments with helpful suggestions then went on for days .......

      

      Just helpless with laughter, an unimpressed Ian and Ralph taking it easy (as usual)

Reminders
Just a reminder about our special offers available for the coming months.......

Just looking for a Break?
Maybe you are not interested in buying but simply want to unwind and de-stress – take a day or two out to wander the streets of medieval towns, do a little retail therapy, take a walk in the mountains, book in for some pampering beauty treatments or enjoy a cappucino in an old piazza. Whatever your motivation, why not book in and enjoy a long weekend in Le Marche?

Three night, all inclusive stay €199 per person

All that’s left to pay for are your drinks from the bar, flights, transport, treatments and designer purchases

                    Pampering and Shopping - how could you resist?

New for 2010 a Holiday Bonus
Looking to book a villa for a self catering holiday in 2010? Have you noticed how much flights are, when you travel on a Saturday? Why not fly out a day or two early and stay at Villa Sibillini before you move into your villa?

We can help you with where to visit, what to see while you are here, and which restaurants to try. We will point you in the right direction for the best beaches, designer shopping and which festivals to check out. On a more mundane note we can let you know where the best grocery shops are and when they are open. With prices starting from €40 per person, it is well worth considering extending your holiday to make the most of the low fares airlines. So we can save you time and money and let you enjoy a longer summer holiday

So why not extend next years’ holiday in Italy, by a day? Or maybe even two. Get all the local knowledge and enjoy a cheaper air fare? Email: admin@villasibillini.com

  La Torre                           Piazza del Papa, Ancona                      Civitanova

Luxury Pampering Hen Weekends
If you are looking for a very special way for your last weekend of freedom – Luxury Hen weekends are our speciality. Why not let us help you to celebrate in style? You can take over the Villa exclusively, with absolutely no other guests – just your party. It’s really like having your own private hotel!. With plenty of pampering and designer shopping it’s a perfect weekend up to 16 adults and a long weekend of three nights can cost as little as 50Euro per person per night. See our special HEN GOES FREE offer if you book before December 2009.

  Hysterical hen weekends, Babalu (one of the largest open air clubs in Europe) & Beauty 

Fairytale Weddings in an Italian Castle
If you have always dreamt of a fairytale wedding in a castle, we have managed to find some incredible venues for weddings. The first is a medieval castle, complete with drawbridge, turrets and battlements, which can cater for up to 200 guests. If that’s not enough, we also have a Napoleonic Fort right on the beach, that is now a four star hotel. Prices are really reasonable and just think of the photo opportunities.

If you are looking for something different for a special celebration it’s also possible to book for dinner in the armory at the castle, all you pay for is dinner, and its perfect for groups of up to twenty.

   Private dining in the Armory                                  Fairytale castle

2010 Prices
Here are our prices for 2010 which we have lowered from last year in view of the climate at the moment. If you book a stay of three nights before the end of December to stay between May and August next year w will give you an extra night free. So that four nights for price of three.

Prices are per person per night (for 2 sharing) including Taxes and Breakfast (Euro)
Room Types
Superior Double with four poster bed - 4th Jan to 30th April €40 1st May to 10th Sept €55 11th Sept to 20th Dec €45

Superior Double/Family room with 2 extra beds available - 4th Jan to 30th April €30 1st May to 10th Sept €45 11th Sept to 20th Dec €35

Standard double with extra bed available - 4th Jan to 30th April €25 1st May to 10th Sept €40 11th Sept to 20th Dec €30

Small double - 4th Jan to 30th April €20 1st May to 10th Sept €35 11th Sept to 20th Dec €25

Whole villa rental including staff per week (up to 14 adults, more with children sharing)

Definition
Two Superior rooms are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, free bottle of water and a bottle of Prosecco. In addition we provide dressing gowns, and a range of shampoo and soaps plus bathroom and pool towels. Hairdryers and fans (in summer months). Four Standard rooms are equipped with tea and coffee facilities and a range of shampoo and soaps plus bathroom and pool towels. Hairdryers and fans (in summer months). One Small Double has tea and coffee facilities and a range of shampoo and soaps plus bathroom and pool towels. Hairdryers and fans (in summer months)

Cots for infants plus baby listening equipment are provided free of charge

Extra beds in our rooms are charged at 15 Euro per night

Two portable air conditioners at €20 per night

WI FI is provided free of charge

Car Hire can be arranged for collection at the Villa at a surcharge of 18 Euro

There is no minimum stay surcharge

Recipe of the Month
As we said earlier we re producing a recipe here every month, this month we have chosen our Bread and Butter pudding. We have served this ever since we started here and it has proved our most popular dessert, this recipe has been asked for more than any other dish we serve. Have a go and we hope you enjoy it. If you have any problems with it or you have a favourite you would like to see here please email us at admin@villasibillini.com

Bread and butter Pudding Italian Style
Serves 6/8 Time to make 20 mins Time to cook 55 mins
Ingredients
3 Croissants
6 Eggs
250 g sugar
500ml Milk
500ml Sweet Cream
Pinch of Salt
Vanilla Essence
Butter, enough for greasing the Baking Tin and eight cubes 10cm square (approx)
30g Sultanas
Apricot Jam
Icing Sugar to serve

Equipment
Baking tin 28cm x 20cm
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Large Baking Tin half filled with water (Bain Marie)
Small saucepan

Bread and Butter pudding is a typical winter pudding and is served with hot custard, which is absolutely fabulous, if you have not just eaten a big meal. It is to say the least a very heavy pudding.
Some years ago I found a recipe for this dessert which was a much lighter version and I adapted it to suit the ingredients I have in Italy.
It is easy to make and if you are not keen on sultanas then leave them out. I also flavour the milk with chocolate to make a rich chocolate version......very nice it is to!

Preheat your oven to 160 C and place your Bain Marie in the oven to warm
1 Pour the milk and cream into a pan, add a pinch of salt and six drops of vanilla essence. Bring this to the boil slowly, for a chocolate version add 75g of dark chocolate at this stage
2 Break the six eggs into a bowl add the sugar and whisk until the egg mixture is a pale yellow colour
3 Cut the croissants lengthways in half.
4 Butter the pan you are using and sprinkle some of the sultanas on the bottom of the tin, now place the croissants cut side down in the bottom
5 Cut the remaining butter into cubes and sprinkle them over the croissants, now sprinkle the remaining sultanas over the top evenly
6 When the milk mixture is just starting to boil add it to the egg mixture and whisk. Now pour the liquid over the croissants, they will float to the top with the butter and sultanas. Submerge the croissants slightly to ensure they absorb the liquid
7 Place your dish into the Bain Marie and cook for 45 to 50 minutes
8 After the cooking time carefully remove the bain marie and lift out the bread and butter pudding. The centre of the pudding will wobble, don’t worry it will be fine.
9 Leave the pudding to cool for about an hour
10 Place a tablespoon of apricot Jam (Strawberry Jam is better if you are making the Chocolate version) into a pan and add two tablespoons of water. Heat the pan stirring all the time to break up the jam and to dissolve it into the water
11 When you have melted the jam remove the pan from the heat and brush the Apricot glaze over the pudding
12 Place the pudding into a fridge for about two hours to set

To serve we cut the pudding with a 6cm circular cutter and ease it out of the pan with a cake slice. Set the pudding in the centre of a plate and dust with Icing Sugar and serve with some cream.

   

   Italian stye Bread and Butter Pudding with spun sugar or decorated with fruit


And Finally
Have you noticed that where ever you go in the world there is always someone that can give you advice or explain why something has not gone as well as it should, they are the local Guru of all things to man. They are the people that when unable to answer the question on perpetual motion or the detail of Newtons fourth law of physics, will always have an answer anyway, like ‘It all depends on your point of view’, you know the type. Well we have one and he serves petrol at the local garage.
He has a view on everything, why the mushroom, grape and olive crops have been so poor this year. He will give you the reason for the freak weather in July that flooded his much loved forecourt. He will answer your question on why earthquakes happen and why they can be so devastating. He can tell you why we can have hailstones falling from the sky and everyone is wearing shorts because it’s a hot day.
He can, and does tell us all how to plant trees and shrubs and what is killing your much loved rose bush.
Quite simply he is the font of all knowledge with his answers ranging from just one word to many sentences, I admire the man, and as I said earlier there is one everywhere you go, which also reminds me of a saying one such wise man in the UK shared with me. He said that where ever you go in the world never ever take an idiot with you, the reason being that you can always pick one up when you get there!
Anyway back to my guru, who if I’m honest has a small flaw, no matter what has gone wrong, is going wrong, that will go wrong in the future he has one reason and one reason only.........................Berlusconi!

Warm regards

David and Pam