ALL IS REVEALED

Meet Giancarlo. He quite liked having his photograph taken but would not stop working for an instant which means, as a result, I have shots of the top of his head, his back and so forth and none is in focus. This has been sharpened to within an inch of its life. I should wait to see if I can do something better but truth be told, am not feeling 100%.

Giancarlo is a falenagme, a carpenter or joiner. His is a family firm located high up on a mountain top in a village called Fiano. They are more than carpenters, however. They also build very strong furniture in the rustic style. He, his brothers and his father built the kitchen and now Giancarlo is re-finishing the doors and the bits that go in between.

The father was a small, fierce chap. We were the first foreigners for whom he had done any work. He was fascinated by the Woodstock chimes hanging about the place and finally got up courage to ask if they had any significance. I said they did not, they merely "made music from the winds". At this he heaved a huge sigh of relief and asked if I could get two sets for him. I suspect he thought they were some pagan, devil worshiping devices. Giancarlo is the kindest, most gentle person you would ever care to meet.

As you can see, the kitchen is very, very small and was part of the old cantina where wine was made. It is built into the hill and has no windows. I had the door made of glass to let in some light. For all that the ceiling is low and it is dark, it is highly efficient.