On our way back from our morning in Sora we stopped by the Fibreno, a tributary of the Liri, another river that flows through the area and is a good water resource for the farms thereabouts. There are several garden centres that we've used in the past, but this time we didn't visit any despite being tempted to browse rather than buy! It's disappointing that I can't grow the flowering plants that I once did when living permanently in Italy. I have to be content with the shrubs that don't need much maintenance other than pruning, the rose bushes as well as the irises and bulbs that lie dormant until they flower in their season.
Walking over the bridge and past the house (above) I spotted a magnificent specimen of a flowering shrub, the brugmansia (angel's trumpet). It was very photogenic, but I've since read up about it and it's one that I wouldn't want to grow in my garden as apparently all parts of the plant are poisonous with the seeds and leaves being dangerous and the sap being an irritant.
Across the way is the 11th century Abbey of San Domenico which was built on the ruins of a country villa belonging to Cicero's family. (More about the monastery church next time).
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| The main entrance door of San Domenico Abbey |
REMEMBERING
Today, as we remember the 100th anniversary of the Great War we continue to reflect and give thanks for our freedom due to the courage of those who served their country then and for all war veterans, past and present. It's difficult to put into words how I feel at this time due to my own personal sadness for the grandfather I never knew, killed in battle in France in December 1917 and who never knew my father born days beforehand, but I take comfort in knowing I share in the act of remembrance and gratitude that 'they died that we might live in freedom' with millions of others throughout the world.