Supper Inspiration…….

I sometimes have to think long and hard about what we are going to eat for supper….

Most days before I have started any work in the house, I make a coffee, go to the computer and look at Google Reader, have quick glance, see who is posting what and there it was…Pasta Puttanesca by My Bella Vita…..I had all the ingredients, and the Anchovies were from our holiday in Liguria.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of help….it was delicious….Thanks to My Bella Vita..

More from Colletta di Castelbianco, Liguria...

Please click on photo to enlarge. Thank you and I hope you enjoy them. I still have a few more to put up, still sorting through them!

The Bernard Noble Sculpture Prize 2008.....

goes to Toby Christian for "Snowball".


Snowball’ is carved from a block of white Carrara marble. The work aims to address issues such as the temporal aspect of outdoor sculpture, the status of the handmade within contemporary fine art and truth to materials

Toby was awarded by The Bernard Noble Sculpture Foundation, the jurors enjoyed the twin ironies of the freezing of a snowball’s fleeting nature in stone and of a snowball set in Italy’s sunny clime. The marble snowball sculpture will reference the stone quarries one passes on the way to Colletta and the chiselled medieval rocks from which Colletta itself was created.

The foundation chose the extraordinary medieval e-village of Colletta di Castelbianco in Liguria in Italy to establish a sculpture park that will be open to the public on a permanent basis. What better place could you find...beautiful!!

Colletta di Castelbianco ....

is a stunning and very interesting village. This is a place you have to visit to get the true feel of the place. Each morning I would get up and head off with my camera and explore even more. They was just so many interesting little corners, and alleys, and steps!!I have put together some very interesting collages for you all..I hope that you enjoy them!

Portofino and Sante Margherita Ligure

Another sunny day, we were so lucky, so we drove out to Portofino, a beautiful but very small place, we were really pleased we went. We didn't do much, just had a coffee next to the sea, that was an expensive coffee, but worth the views! Walked round to the other side then climbed up towards the castle, which unfortunately was closed this particular day! Restoration work..Never mind.



We then carried on around to Sante Margherita Ligure. We didn't stay very long, as we were unsure about the parking, and couldn't find a meter, but we were lucky, got away with it.


It was a glorious sunny day, and worth the drive!

Another day out in Italy...

We decided that we would like to see more of the small towns along the coast, and we were not disappointed..today we went to Finale Ligure. The town has a beautiful beach, and the walk along the promenade is stunning, with all the Palm trees and lovely little cafes and restaurants to stop at.


The weather was fantastic for November, and I was amazed at all the people out, it was great. Lots of families, groups of older people, all sitting there chatting away.

From here we drove on to Noli. This little place was buzzing when we got there. Everyone eating out on the front, a small market just finishing, and and Art Exhibition going on. We had a quick walk round the small town, and I mean quick, my husband was hungry. We went to the busiest little cafe, with all the Italians, and had Fritto Misto...what a treat that was...very tasty!!!


Perfect way to end a very enjoyable sunny day!

Google Map of Our Holiday

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Birthday Meal in Colletta .....

Whilst on holiday it was my husbands birthday, so I decided to treat us to another meal in the restaurant in our village. We had eaten there on the second night of our hols, and what a meal it was!!! Only thing was, if we calculated the price in pounds it turned out to be quite expensive but oh so worth it!!

Now we could not of got a restaurant closer to us!! If you look at the picture above, you will see a little red door in the top left, up the steps, that is our apartment, and you will see the door on the right --- that was our restaurant, how brilliant is that.!!

The first meal we had was a "meat" feast, my husband loves his meat, I don't mind, but thought maybe fish this time. So I spoke to Dianos who was the barman, he spoke english quite well, and in turn he spoke to the chef Giorgio..all understood, very good. They also asked if I would like a special cake/tart, fine I said. Grazie, Arrivederci.

The evening of the 20th arrived, and we made our way down ..Ordered some wine, and chatted for a while. Whilst chatting though Dianos kept appearing with small containers with fish..you name it, small shrimps,huge prawns, crayfish, mullet, squid..A fantastic choice. Giorgio had gone out that afternoon, and bought the freshiest fish I have every seen..he was only feeding us!! We were amazed, even hubby decided to have fish as well. We were not disappointed, never had such a meal.

The plate on the bottom right is Mullet with Artichokes..(Carciofi in Italian)

Here is the tart that Girgio made a few hours before our meal..just for us!

A fantastic birthday meal and one we will never forget!

Please click on photos to enlarge.

The sun came out - part two....

After visiting the amazing town of Alassio, we drove to Albenga.

Albenga is one of the Riviera di Ponente's most important cities. It owes if fame not only to its historic centre, but also to the mildness of its climate abd the fertility of the land.

The Cathedral which was rebuilt in the Middle Ages on the site on an early Christian basilica. This cathedral is dedicated to St Micheal.


Apse of the cathederal

The Baptistry is the only example of late Roman architecture left intact in Albenga. Built by the general Contanso in the early 5th century, the baptistry is the foremost Early Christian monument in Liguria.

Santa Maria in Fontibus. This church as medieval origins but was remodelled in 1600.

After a lovely meal of Spaghetti alla Vongole and pizza..we set of to another lovely town called Loano. Unfortunately my camera decided not to work, hopefully I will get back there for shopping and photos!! We walked the beach, and then settled on the rocks with the other people who were basking in the sun, or watching the fishermen!

The Sun came out...

so we went to Alassio, such a beautiful beach, quaint shops and lots and lots of cafes, to people watch..



..whilst walking the little passage ways, we came across a beautiful chapel, where I lit a candle for everyone.

Colletta di Castelbianco .....

is where we have come for our holidays...Colletta is a medieval hill-top village restored as an internet e-village. I have never seen anything like it before..it is amazing.. Lots of little houses/apartments all built in together, with lots and lots of passages, steps and terraces..

Apart from the people who look after the place and a man I met who lives here, we are the only people staying here..and we are being looked after so well. Last night we had a meal in the restaurant , which incidently is down the steps and next door!!! Our meal was delicious, but I have never eaten so much in my life...and it was all meat. For starter I had venison..I thought it came with a salad, not..it was a plate of thinly sliced venison in olive oil..then Primo was spagetti with a Rabbit sauce...but this turned out to be Hare..and secondo was Fillet steak in a berry sauce...yes you quess right...a fillet steak and that was it...but I can say, it was delicious..with wine, and then chocolates and coffee!!!

Our view in the morning....

from terrazza looking left...

from terrazze, looking right..

from our bedroom ...