But, there we were in summer, weren’t we? So let’s see what could be done other than working . . .
     Nicolette had not come to Turin to talk business, she had come for holidays and was just trying to be kind with me by sending her note. We managed to drive to some of the less celebrated parts of the countryside. We started with: “I am not accustomed to sit on the right side,” she said: “normally it is me driving.” But it was my car and I knew the places by heart. Both ladies survived my driving anyway, and this took our party to three main destinations, Gabiano, Vezzolano and Moncalieri on the way back.
     On day one we took a long walk in town and managed to see some of the attractions, at least from the outside. Turin is rather interesting city with many parks, castles and museums. Many of my friends and guests, who came once for a visit, invariably returned, which is a good sign in terms of appreciation.
     Day two was a bit more demanding for the three of us. First we drove to the country house I bought in Gabiano in January, which I wanted Nicolette to see.     
     It is and end-1800’s house with much Art Deco added to it. The restauration of the house is ongoing: no way to have lunch in the front yard… so we drove for lunch to a small local Café where I think you can have the best “agnolotti” in many miles… Bar Italia, what else?
     The family run restaurant provide no frills, delicious food and we were all quite happy.      
     If you look at the picture of the Agnolotti below, just try to imagine the taste in your mouth and you will join our delight. I took some Carpione, which is a series of fried, juicy staples then dipped in a vinegar and sage sauce and served cold, ideal for summer.

     The food was accompanied by a modest quantity of the local wine, which Nicolette liked so much she wanted to buy a few bottles to take home.
     Having had a copious, delicious and actually inexpensive lunch, we left to visit the medieval Vezzolano Abbey in the vicinity, which is proudly kept open thanks to the goodwill of the local association.

     On our way back, my driving was put to test by the default of Google Maps, and we got lost in the hilly landscape. We were not returning precisely on our footsteps, as I was trying to dash to the other side of town to collect a certificate. Lest we got disoriented again, in the end we drove through the area where my family had lived and prospered for time immemorial (Moncalieri) and where my sister still has a piece of orchard on the beautifully sloping hillside facing south. At least those were roads I knew very well!
     We drove around the beautiful Moncalieri Castle and then reached my destination on time, despite another snag with Google Maps. In the evening we took it easy and we just had dinner on my terrace. The two ladies were about to leave in the following morning and it made sense to take it easy.
     In the morning, when Carlijn and Nicolette were about to drive to the seaside to continue their holiday journey, they opted to stay a bit longer to cast a glance to the “Gran Balon”, which is allegedly one of the largest flea markets in Europe, by making a short bicycle ride to the centre. I hope the market was as interesting as its historical reputation gets.
     In the following days, Nicolette sent me some pictures of the wonderful country resort where she chose to spend the rest of her holiday on the hills looking out over the coast near Genoa. The atmosphere was clearly idyllic and I am just so happy that Nicolette and her daughter had the opportunity to spend a few days in that wonderful area.
     I am now alone in my apartment. The swallows are flying tirelessly and madly in the sky I can see form my terrace, chirping and tweeting, sometimes sounding as screeching bicycles in the air. It has been a typically hot summer in Torino, after a rainy and cool springtime, in line with traditions and in sharp contrast with the unnatural heat wave (and drought) we have experienced in 2022 and 2023. As things remain in line with the habits, we had a few storms breaking the clear skies of August and then we quickly plunged into autumn.
     By now Ms. van der Leyen would have completed the first part of her initial tasks and I guess CLECAT would have made additional, articulated comments to the Commission’s proposals. Nicolette will have a busy autumn, as is customary after each EU election.
     I hope to have the house in Gabiano completely restored and available. I hope many friends will come and visit. If any of our readers were to consider a holiday in this area, I would be more than happy to provide assistance and suggestions. There is a lot to see and a lot to do, depending on the period of the year.
     Looking at the fall, the sequence is: mushrooms, grapes, wine, game and truffles . . . then skiing as soon as winter starts. Piedmont has no access to the sea. The seaside is about 100 miles away from Turin, but sometimes you are so busy you don’t seem to have time to notice its absence.
     Best wishes from Turin.
Marco L. Sorgetti