Watermill at Posara, Italy, Newsletter

..... Snow has fallen, snow on snow …

We’ll, we’d hardly finished thawing out after the great December and January deep freeze than another flurry of hail, sleet and snow dumped itself on this part of Scotland, and in early February we’ve been driving gingerly over icy roads again.

Lara and Bill went on an expedition to the upper part of Forglen to seek out snowdrops and are happy to report that there are plenty there, pushing their way through their snowy covering. Here’s Lara’s picture of February 2010 snowdrops on the left. Not looking particularly happy, are they? Compare and contrast with last year’s flowers at around the same time, seen on the right.

Bad weather is always a good excuse to cosy-up in our little cottage and get on with the creative projects that can all too easily get pushed to the back in the everyday activities of transporting girls to schools, choirs, bands, dancing, swimming, skipping, piano lessons and girl guides.

(Is that all? Ed.)

Lois has been contemplating the topic for her PhD music thesis and seems to be homing on a 16th Century female Italian composer and musician called Francesca Caccini, who was born in Florence and spent some time in Lucca. (Such dreadful places in which to have to do research!)

Bill’s been honing Chapter One (and making a start on Chapters Two and Three) of his 15th Century detective story A Matter of Perspective and fleshing out his hero-detective, the young Luca da Posara (yes, he comes from Posara, where his father is the miller.)

All this takes time, what with the chaffeuring and chaufessing duties outlined above, but it’s great for stimulating the little grey cells and guarding against the dreaded neuronal atrophy.

Last chance for our Winter Warmer Allowance!

To celebrate us all surviving the deep freeze in December and January in the northern Hemisphere, we offered you a special Winter Warmer Allowance, of £50 off any painting holiday or creative writing course.

And you can still take advantage and warm the cockles of your wallet, but you’ll have to be speedy. The offer ends on the last day of February. So why not warm yourselves up in anticipation of a week’s pampering at the sunny Watermill of Posara. Email us using our secure Contact Form or call (UK number) 01888 568 375 and we’ll reserve your place.

The mollycoddled bambocioni

Our Italian friend Maria (we’ve changed her name to avoid embarrassment) worked long hours as a cleaner after her husband died, to bring in enough money to raise her family. And when she got home from work in the early evening, her 19-year-old son would be there, full of questions: “Have you ironed my favourite shirt?” he would ask. “I need it tonight to go dancing. And what’s for supper, I’m ravenous. Oh, and have you any money, I’m broke.” Then he’d slip upstairs for a shower and a hairspray, scattering his dirty clothes not only over the bedroom floor, but the bathroom and landing, too.

“Bless him!” said Maria, picking up his jeans, “Carissimo, dearest boy!”

We were once having dinner with other friends when their 23-year-old son and his 21-year-old fiancée came home and after a perfunctory ‘hello’ slipped upstairs to the bedroom they shared in her parent’s house. There were odd bumpy noises above us for some time, which we tried vainly to cover up by loud Italian conversation, and then, about half-an-hour later, the two of them came downstairs, showered and changed. “What’s for supper?” they said, “We’re ravenous.”

“Carissimi,” the girl’s mother said. “Dearest ones, bless them.”

Just two examples of the Italian phenomenon of bambocioni, mother’s boys (and girls), hundreds of thousands of young people who are still living at home in their 20s and even 30s. According to the newspaper La Stampa no fewer than 59% of Italian men and women aged between 18 and 34 are still living with their parents. This compares with about 34% in Britain, 23% in France, 16.5% in Germany and 10% in Spain. A quarter of the Italian ‘stay-at-homes’ were students and half said that they still lived at home for ‘economic’ reasons.

But a government minister, Renato Brunetta, suspects that many just like having their meals prepared for them, their rooms cleaned and their laundry done. He has proposed introducing a new law to force the bambocioni to leave home at 18 and make their own way in the world, before they become hopelessly dependent on their parents.

His proposal is highly unlikely to become law – and Mr Brunetta himself revealed shamefacedly that he had lived at home until he was 30 years old. At that age, he admitted: “I did not know how to make my own bed. My mother took care of things like that.”

Carissimo, bless him!

Stradivarius violins: a golden postscript

In our last newsletter we talked about Stradivarius violins, “made from trees in which nightingales sang".

One of our readers, David Cuin, who came on a course at Castle of Park some years ago, writes to tell us: “Today, I'm giving a lecture on the history of the Golden Ratio from 500BC to date - all in an hour! Did you know that there is documentary evidence that Stradivarius placed the f-holes in his violins according to the Golden number? I don't think anyone is attributing the unique sound to that but it's an interesting point.”

Painting holidays and creative writing courses:
what's included

It is very important to realise that our painting holidays and creative writing course are truly all-inclusive. There are no hidden extras. Everything is included in the cost: tuition, accommodation (including all linen and towels), pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals (including dinner with wine at charming local restaurants) and local transportation (including transfers to Pisa airport; an excursion by train to Lucca).

All you have to do is to get to Pisa and we do the rest.

And you don’t have to worry about the strength of the Euro versus the pound. The only Euros you’ll have to spend on your painting holiday or creative writing course are on that extra cup of coffee or a postcard for Mum. Let us worry about the pesky exchange rate.

Prices depend on which room you choose (see www.watermill.net for details). They start at £930+IVA (Italian VAT) per person per week (based on two people sharing), with a discount of £25 for a non-painting on non-writing partner. Single rooms start at £995+IVA (Italian VAT). Italian IVA is currently 20%.

Tutor of the month: Fergal Flanagan

Our featured painting tutor this month is the delightful Irish painter Fergal Flanagan, who will be teaching in gouache, watercolours and pastels from 15-22 May 2010.

Fergal, an accomplished and sympathetic painting teacher, currently enjoys working in a rural setting in County Wicklow and is looking forward to sampling the peaceful, yet dramatic, rural setting of the Watermill at Posara, with its millstream walks, vineyards and olive groves, ancient nearby villages and walled towns and the dramatic mountains in the background. A rural environment, he contends, is very conducive to creative work. Spring is a wonderful time of year to be at the watermill and in Tuscany.

Fergal’s Irish studios are at Glendarragh in County Wicklow and he also teaches at the Burren Painting Centre in County Clare, as well as on painting courses abroad. He studied at the National College of Art in Dublin under Henry Healy RHA and Desmond Carrick RHA and has been painting on a full time basis since 1986.

He has had seven major exhibitions in this time showing works from Ireland and lately from around the world. His world trip in 2003 resulted in an exhibition showing paintings of Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and Canada. Opened by the Australian Ambassador it was his most successful exhibition ever. In 2006 his exhibition of paintings of Thailand and Laos showed these countries landscape in warm vibrant colours. His exhibition of 2009 showed local Irish scenes of the area where he lives and works.

Fergal enjoys painting in gouache and oils, but also in watercolour, pastel and mixed media. But since Ryanair won’t let him bring oils to Italy, his course will concentrate on gouache, watercolours and pastels. Although if you would like to bring your own oils with you he is happy to teach you.

Here’s one of his delightful Irish pictures, of Elough in Connemara:

Fergal says: “This gouache painting shows a quiet beach and harbour in the west of Ireland painted on the spot with a fast changing light which forces one to paint quickly. The paint is laid with washes which dry fast in the windy conditions. The mixing of the paint is mostly done on the palette rather than on the paper."

And here’s another scene from Western Ireland, the Ballyconnelly coast, also in Connemara:

Fergal says: “This oil painting captures the incoming tide on an Irish beach showing the rock formations and the source of the light highlighting the shadows on these rocks. The distant headland gives a feel of space to the painting allowing the eye to move through the scene.”

You can see more of Fergal’s paintings on the watermill website. And you can meet the man and paint with him at Posara and in the Spring Tuscan sunshine: Fergal’s course in gouache, watercolours and pastels runs at the watermill from 15-22 May 2010.

If you’d like to come on this, or any other painting holiday, email us using our secure Contact Form or call us on (UK number 01888 568 375 and we’ll make sure your place is reserved. We’ve only have four or five places left on this popular painting holiday, so if you want to come, now is the time to book.

And don’t forget, if you book before the end of February, you can take advantage of our £50 Winter Warmer Allowance, which makes a week under the Tuscan sun with Fergal even more appealing.

Your 2010 painting holiday tutors:
the full list

We’re introducing our painting tutors individually in more depth in our regular newsletters and blogs, but here’s the full list:

Fergal Flanagan
Saturday 15 May to
Saturday 22 May 2010
Gouache, watercolours and pastels
Fergal is a leading Irish painter and an accomplished and sympathetic teacher. He has painted in many locations around the world, producing warm, vibrant landscapes. Fergal works at the Burren Painting Centre in County Clare
For more about Fergal and his paintings, visit his Tutor's page and see above for more details.

John Christian
Saturday 5 June to
Saturday 12 June 2010
Watercolours
We are delighted to welcome John back to the mill this year. He’s been several times before and loves the place. John is such an enthusiastic and sympathetic tutor and his courses are always full - and full of fun! He works in a fast spontaneous manner with a large brush and a limited palette. For more about John and his paintings, visit his Tutor's page.

Guy Gruwier
Saturday 19 June to
Saturday 26 June 2010
Watercolours
Guy is considered to be one of Belgium’s leading watercolour artists. He paints in a ‘realistic-romantic’ style and he passes on his insights and skills with love and patience. Previous students on Guy’s courses remember him as a gifted, patient and very helpful teacher. For more about Guy and his paintings, visit his Tutor's page.

Liz Seward Relfe
Saturday 10 July to
Saturday 17 July 2010
Watercolours
Liz has a widespread reputation for still life floral, and landscape paintings . Her main inspirations are light, colour, and the heathland landscape around her home in Surrey. Liz demonstrates to Art Societies throughout the country and teaches at residential courses. For more about Liz and her paintings, visit her Tutor's page

Freda Alschuler
Saturday 24 July to
Saturday 31 July 2010
Watercolours
Freda is a full-time artist and teacher, born in England and now living in Switzerland. Freda has taught in art schools and run painting holidays in America and Europe. While her course will concentrate on watercolours, Freda is also happy to teach acrylics and mixed media. For more about Freda and her paintings, visit her Tutor's page

Annelise Pio Hansen
Saturday 28 August to
Saturday 4 September 2010
Watercolours
Annelise is a regular and very popular tutor at the watermill. Her colours are soft but bright, just like the light reaching the sandy beaches and the soft hills not far from where she lives just outside Copenhagen. For more about Annelise and her paintings, visit her Tutor's page

Laraine Simpson
Saturday 4 September to
Saturday 11 September 2010
Watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels
Laraine, who's taught at the mill for several years now, is a Fine Arts-Painting graduate of Central School of Art & Design (now Central St. Martins), London. She is highly regarded as a perceptive, patient and encouraging tutor working with beginners and advanced students alike. For more about Laraine and her paintings, visit her Tutor's page

Barry Watkin
Saturday 11 September to
Saturday 18 September 2010
Pastels mainly, but also oils and watercolours
Barry returns to the mill this year for another great course.. His inspiration is the play of light on the landscape and the changing atmospheric effects throughout the seasons. Much of his work is started on site and finished off in the studio. For more about Barry and his paintings, visit his Tutor's page.

Charles Sluga
Saturday 2 October to
Saturday 9 October 2010
Watercolours
Charles is a highly respected and sought after artist and watercolour teacher in Australia. His friendly and enthusiastic approach, and eagerness to impart his wide knowledge, is reflected in his popularity as a tutor, and the waiting lists for his regular classes. For more about Charles and his paintings, visit his Tutor's page.

“What more does a wannabe romance writer need"

You know you must be doing something right when guests return to Posara for a repeat painting holiday or creative writing course. Many of them do and we are always very pleased to welcome them back. One or two like the place and the people so much that they come back year after year.

Like Rachael Thomas, who seems to be absolutely hooked on Posara and on Sharon Kendrick’s Writing Romance course. She’s just booked again and she said in her blog in mid-January: “I’d just thought I’d stop by to tell anyone thinking of going to Tuscany in May for Sharon’s course to stop thinking and book! I’m am looking forward to going again, not for the second time but the third.

“To me, the combination of a wonderful setting, being well looked after by the fabulous team at the Watermill and Sharon’s excellent teaching is highly recommended. During my first two visits I have made new friends, meeting people from USA, Spain, France and UK, and with the wonders of email we have kept in touch.

“Imagine this: warm sun, a gentle breeze and the sound of the river. Quiet tranquil settings, only disturbed by the chimes of the village bell. Freshly prepared food that is so delicious. A group of people that come from all walks of life, brought together by their desire to write romance, benefiting from all that Sharon can give."

Rachael adds: “What more does a wannabe romance writer need? A night out? That is supplied too, all you do is get ready and you will be taken out to lovely places. Maybe a day out would be good, just to give you a day off from writing: well that, too, is arranged for you.

“So what are you waiting for? All you need to do is book the course and apart from your flight to Pisa you don’t need to worry about anything else.”

We could not have put it better ourselves!

Sharon’s Writing Romance course runs from 8-15 May 2010. We still have three or four places left.

And don’t forget our other skilled and sympathetic best-selling author, Jessica Hart, who is returning for another Writing Romance in the Autumn, from 25 Sep - 2 Oct 2010.

To enjoy the delights of a watermill week, to learn more about the art and craft of writing and how to produce what publishers really want – as well as having that vital encouragement and support from other aspiring writers – now is the time to make that reservation. And you can save money by taking advantage of our Winter Warmer Allowance: £50 off the cost of your creative writing course if you book before the end of February.

Go for it!

Your 2010 best-selling creative writing tutors

Here are the background details for Sharon and Jessica’s courses in 2010.

Sharon Kendrick
Saturday 8 May to
Saturday 15 May 2010
‘Writing romance’

This will be Sharon’s third visit to the watermill: “One of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. The mountains nearby are tall and green, streaked with a pure white, which looks like snow, but which is really the Carrara marble from which Michelangelo chiselled his David. How neat is that?”

Sharon has written 75 books for Harlequin Mills & Boon and regularly tops the Waldenbooks list in North America as well as selling well all over Europe, Asia and South America. Sharon will pass on the benefits of her vast experience in writing romantic fiction and her intimate knowledge of what publishers like Harlequin Mills & Boon are looking for in a romantic novel. You can find out more about Sharon and her books on her Tutors Page.

Jessica Hart
Saturday 25 September to
Saturday 2 October 2010
‘Writing romance’

RITA* award-winner Jessica Hart has written more than 50 books for Harlequin Romance and has been published around the world in more than 20 different languages. (*The RITA is the US romance-publishing industry's highest award of distinction.) She is also a winner of the coveted Romance Prize, awarded by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in the UK.

Jessica’s second course at The Watermill at Posara will focus on the emotional tension that is key to all romantic fiction and it will provide a practical approach to constructing a satisfying – and sellable – love story. There will be plenty of opportunity, too, to talk about writing romance with like-minded people: “The social side of writing is so often underestimated, especially when it comes to structuring a story,” says Jessica. You can read more about Jessica and her books on our Tutors Page.

What's available

When the mill is not full of painters or writers, we divide it into five elegant self-contained apartments available for self-catering lets.

Two of these bright, sunny apartments (Apts 1 & 2) are in the three-storey Tuscan house in the mill courtyard, with views over the gardens and the mountains beyond; two others (Apts 3 & 4) are set above the older watermill, with river and valley views; the fifth (Apt 5) is set beside the olive press and the artists’ studio and looks out over gardens and the river. All have comfortable living rooms, well furnished bedrooms, a well equipped kitchen and modern bathroom. There’s more information and plenty of pictures on our website.

If you choose a self-catering holiday you’ll find a thousand fascinating things to do, in the mountains and at the seaside. And the mill is in easy reach of Florence, Pisa, Lucca and the other tourist attractions of Tuscany. But you are actually more likely to spend a lot of your time relaxing at the mill itself, enjoying the beautiful setting and sunning yourself in the gardens …

.If you would like to book a self-catering apartment next year, please call us on (UK number) 01888 568 375 or use our secure Contact Form

Anything more you’d like to know?

If there is anything more we can tell you about our activities, and the true Italian lifestyle, please call us on +44 1888 568375 or use our secure Contact Form. And keep up with our website and blog at www.watermill.net.

In the meantime, with very best wishes,

Lois and Bill, Lydia and Lara, and Bella and Rosa (the Labradogs)

Thank you for reading our Watermill Newsletter! if you have any Newsletter questions, comments or complaints, please write to us using our Contact form.

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