Saturday, July 12, 2008

CAFFE DELLA NOSTALGIA






A wonderful lunch at the Caffè Consorzio again today and without further ado, I will tell you about the food: a very welcome plate of prettily displayed antipasti, polpettine di salsiccia [most delicately cooked] with patatae al forno and, to finish, this delectable dish of artistically presented fruit and ice cream.

They must have known we were coming today, for the music that wafted across to us, ensconced as we were in the shade of our favourite olive tree, consisted of British hits of the late 1950s and early 60s. As I sat there, watching white butterflies darting in and out of the lavender bushes I pondered upon the passage of time. Later I got some of my vinyl discs out and reflected that one minute you are 12 or 13, listening to these records [as we used to call them] with your life, hopes and dreams ahead of you; in the twinkling of an eye, it seems, you are nearly 60 and there you are listening again and really feeling no different in your heart of hearts. And that, my Dad used to say, is the great secret of growing old.

16 comments:

CherryPie said...

Oh you are bringing me that lovely dappled sunlight again and butterflies :-)

Mmm! the twinkling of an eye bit has brought tears to my eyes xx

sally in norfolk said...

The ice cream looks fab.... :-)

jmb said...

Lovely vignette Welshcakes of lunch in Sicily.

I can attest that no matter how old you are in your body in your mind and heart you are forever young.

Maria said...

Wow... you are so far from being old. I wish I had the energy and initiave you do and stand in awe of your cooking talents and writing skils!

That dessert by the way looks to die for!

Hungry in America!
luv,
M

Trubes said...

Glad to see you like Gerry and the Pacemakers Welshcakes, one of the many talented Liverpool groups of the 60's...Golden days indeed.

When I was a teenager I used to laugh at my parents playing old Vera Lynn 75rpm records on their ancient gramaphone. Now, If I ever hear music of their generation, it brings tears to my eyes.

You are 'spot on' when you say you feel no different now as you did then all those years ago.

I only really acknowledge the passing of time when I look in the mirror and see my dear Mama's face looking back at me!

Just going to play some of the Beatles Golden hits now and
will think of happy times gone by.

Thanks for sharing such a lovely story dear Welshcakes.


Di.xxx

James Higham said...

Cherie, it would be lovely to have you with us here.

Leslie: said...

I agree that in your mind and soul you're always the same age - early 20s, usually. Then I look in the mirror and sometimes see my mother and it shocks me - not that that is bad, but.....I still enjoy the music of my youth, too. But I "can" embarrass my daughters if I start to move to the music! LOL

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Very tasty meal indeed...I can just imagine you sitting there reminising!!! :-)

Nunyaa said...

All the records we had when younger are housed at the birth persons house but I remember them so well :-)

Dragonstar said...

Oh, the nostalgia! And that glorious icecream with all the lavender - what a lovely occasion.

jams o donnell said...

THe not wide and I love dusting down our old records. but even beter is embarrassing my nephews with what I used to (and still do) listen to. I draw the line at dance given that I have the grace of a hippo on its hind legs

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Ciao, cherrypie. Thanks for empathising. Thanks, Sally - it was. Thanks, jmb. Glad you agree. Much appreciated, dear M. You take care over there! xx Trubes, I'm exactly the same - I cry my eyes out when I hear Vera Lynn and the like these days! So glad you agree that we feel no different emotionally as we grow older. Love to you all there xx Agree, James. Come and visit, cherrypie!
Hi, Leslie. I think I embarrass -simi when I dance around! Thanks, Anne. Hi, nunyaa. I brought ll my old records to sicily with me! Many thanks, dragonstar. Hi, jams. i'm sure you are a very graceful dancer!

CherryPie said...

If I came to visit, I am sure I wouldn't want to come home ;-)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

That seems to happen to a lot of people, cherrypie!

Liz Hinds said...

It' so true that you don't actually feel old even though aches and wrinkles may suggest otherwise!

Gerry and the Pacemakers remind me of Uncle George and Auntie Maud. Auntie Maud used to sing silly words to their songs, which were popular at the time they used to come and visit.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Liz. Having met you, I don't believe you have any wrinkles! I hope the memories Gerry brought back were happy ones.

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