Tuscan Heaven: It’s Not All Superficial «

Tuscan Heaven: It’s Not All Superficial

Tuesday 16th August 2011

The Multis lunched yesterday at my apartemento: we were pool-side and undisturbed by sharers so there was the illusion of massive Tuscan height: the full villa with estate but actually managed for £400 a week. The Multis were divine in pink and wanted the pool-side hedge out for an infinity-edge effect bleeding directly into the vineyards. The Photo Multi got to the airport on Friday; no camera! but just enough time to buy another airside for £3000 plus.

Sonny Hammond went back to Rome in the morning (he came up to the apartemento on Saturday). He modelled at tiny Gucci kerchief and plans to scatter opium poppy seeds in the Roman forum. His new apartment is to overlook and he needs to garden.

But oh! the talk. In Tuscany we feel free. We talk and talk. I’m building up to a great mediation. The revelations! The thoughts! The relationships, so richly configured. Arjan Bose, the pseudo-kitchen who returned to London on Sunday, was superb on the kitchen syndrome (see glossary). You must come back to hear all about it.

On Sunday, Sonny, Arjan and I took an outstanding pecan-pie party at Casper Vilheim’s blissful fastness: he’s owned the whole valley for 40 years and is 8 months there and 4 in New York (‘I kept the apartment in the City,’ he growled Brooklynesque, ‘so Madoff didn’t get it.’ Is that how you spell ‘Madoff’? I mean that one who stole everyone’s money) Peter Ainger, who was at my apartemento Thursday and Friday, went on to Casper’s and kindly introduced. They were dining that night with tycoons. They really were. I’ve not made that up. Tycoons who are known and not liked in England.

Come back later for less name-dropping.