The Tullys at home in Hemel-Hempsted

Nigel and Deborah Tully, our friends and Tuscan villa owner/business partners, hosted us at their stunning farm home in Hemel-Hempstead when we were in the UK last week. The purpose of the visit was to finalize details for our wine tasting trip at their villa in Ripertoli. Poor Deborah badly broke her ankle a few days before they were supposed to go to Ripertoli and make sure things were in order for us. Their beautiful lab-greyhound Tina was the cuplrit for Deborah's fall but as you can see, they've made up. We will miss them at Ripertoli but glad Deborah is recovering well.

Deck Progress

The guys are back today even though it's threatening rain. So far so good ...

From Ghent Fever

Let the Deck begin!

The front entrance is almost done now - they'll be coming back to do the new mahogany front door and bluestone threshold. Today the big machines are here digging the foundation holes for the deck. I'm so glad we'll be able to enjoy that this spring and summer. As the weather gets nicer we're dying to hang outside. Although it is almost like being outside in our great room with it's wall of giant windows.....