Ok I may not be mad, (or at least not quite yet) but I am crazy about my dogs and want only the best for them.

A few weeks ago a couple of great guys from Bergamo came and stayed at Bellaugello Gay Guest House here in Umbria and brought with them a divine two year old Beagle called Lilly.

Well Edo, my blue belton English Setter took no time and instantly fell in love with Lilly.  He would sit patiently and quietly outside the Suite waiting to catch a glimpse of the lovely Lilly.  He went off his food and wandered around starry eyed, hoping to catch a glimpse when she returned from her day out with her masters.

Luckily for him by the end of her two week stay Lilly began to show amorous feelings for Edo. In the morning at breakfast on the terrace here at Bellaugello Gay B&B she would receive small tidbits and blow me down if she did not bury them in the gravel, making little piles with her nose scraping the gravel up.  She did not eat a morsel, and evidently knew Edo was lovesick and not eating and she was leaving sustenance for him….  it was just so cute..  Romance blossoming at Bellaugello

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There was a double celebration yesterday here in Valdichiascio near Gubbio in Umbria, Italy.

My great friends Luca and Valentina were married and shortly after had their son, Pietro baptised, a cause for a major party.

Luca flies helicopters for the Corpo Forestale, and in every sense of the word has a sense of adventure and over-abundant generosity, which to me is complimented by Valentina’s sense of humour, infinite patience and fantstic sense of fun.  They are a great couple and organised a superb evening to which they invited over 200 friends.  It seemed like the whole of Valdichiascio were there present, along with Luca and Valentina’s familes, and work colleagues and friends.  Guys staying here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House, were all invited to the party by the bride and groom, (thanks Luca and Valentina, they really had a fantastic time) and had a chance to mix with the locals and meet many of my cool neighbours.

Catering was by Sabrina and Calaudia of my favourite restaurant, ‘Bargello‘ in Gubbio, and  music by local dj.  The entire evening was held outdoors in the garden with tables bedecked with organza and groaning with food and wines.  To the north over the Apeninnes rumbled unheard a large storm, the clouds illuminated vivid oranges by the distant lightning, very dramatic and quite spectacular, but overhead here a magical cloudless starry sky.

Oh and I just had to wear my kilt and be photographed with the Bride

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To Alex and Olav, thanks guys for the wonderful photos you sent me of your stay here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House in Umbria, Italy, with the sun shinging brightly here today I just had to post your picture of the sunflower, fabulous!!

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I simply adore lavender.  When I was young it was a fragrance associated with fusty old aunts and wardrobes in long forgotten distant bedrooms, however it was a fragrance that captivated me.

Here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House near Gubbio in Umbria, Italy I have planted over two hundred lavender bushes.  They line sides of paths and steps and billow over the embankments, forcing guests to brush past and release the potent fragrance.

I also cook with lavender and thanks to two great guys from the north of Italy I now have violet food colouring (they rushed into Perugia and found what I had singularly failed to find, thus leaving me with no excuse not to try out the receipe!) and make pretty lavender cakes with lavender frosting, also using lavender for lamb and salmon.

Gabriella, the fabulous co-owner of the herboristeria in Gubbio has suggested lavender as a relaxing bath.  Using a clean sock stuffed crammed with lavender flowers hung under the bath tap the water is fragrant and the lavender oil softens the bath water, divine…

Another great guest from Belgium has sent me a recipe for lavender jam, the required apples are now ripe and so lavender jam making will commence, and two cool guys, recent guests from Padova have sent me a large selection lavender recipies, all of which will be tried, they sound wonderful.  I also learn of a store selling solely lavender products, sounds dreamy to me…

Thanks to Swa for the picture which he took whilst here on holiday at Bellaugello

Any further lavender recipies or suggestions for use of lavender will be much appreciated

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One of the Suites not previously seem on the blog is the Specchio or Mirror Suite here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House near Gubbio, in Umbria Italy.

The Specchio Suite, traditional in style, is accessed from the shady upper west terrace and has its own private covered verandah.  Entered through the living room with kitchen corner, log burning stove, and luxury sofa bed.doors lead to both the bathroom and bedroom.  There separate double bedroom with super kingsize bed has views to the Apenines, and also accesses the large bathroom with Double showers.  Windows to both east and west make the most of the sunshine and views both to the Apeninnes and our garden.

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I awoke early this morning, something just told me it was to be a wonderful sunrise and indeed it was…

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Ieri Sera ho fatto una cena sul terazzo per i mei opsite a Bellaugello Gay Guest House in Umbria.

La casa era pieno di ragazzi interessante e di diverse paese del mondo.  L serrata era belissima, caldo, e il cielo era pieno di stelle.

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A stunning morning here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House in Umbria, Italy.  I awoke early this monring to the spectacle of mist hanging in the valley below, utterly beautiful..

And now having done the chores I’m off to sit by the pool and catch a few rays… join the guys in a lazy monday

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Sì ai matrimoni gay in 10 paesi nel mondo. L’Italia, con la Grecia, un’eccezione in Europa

Vai su link:  Repubblica report on Gay Marriages

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News from the BBC in London this morning;  A  judge has overturned California’s Proposition 8 which banned Gay Marriages.

His basis is that in banning same sex marriage through proposition 8 the state denies equal rights to some of its citizens and therefore should be renounced.

I learn that this has ramifications for all states in the USA  who will have to review their positions on same sex marriages.

A small step with potential for big change hurrah!

As always when I learn of another country or state allowing gay marriage, I offer a free weeks honeymoon here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House here in Umbria, Italy, to the first newly married couple in California under the new law.

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