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The
Grounds
Sei
Camini is set in two hectares. The pool and surrounding lawns, the four
rows of vines, the fruit and olive trees are set in a
hectare
of gently rolling hillside. There is enough flat ground to play
badminton, football or frisbee.
Two
new large (up to 3.5m each) teak tables and 20 chairs are available for
al fresco dining.
A
built in barbeque (spot lit, for cooking
after dark) and the original pizza oven are in good working
order and available for use. A portable barbeque is also
available for larger parties.
The swimming
pool slopes gently, there are Roman Steps to enter and a
ledge round the edge - but the centre is deep enough for jumping/diving.
The pool is alarmed.
There is a sensor alarm at the pool. When activated, the sensors can
detect waves from falling objects weighing more than 7kg and sound a
120 decibel siren.
Beyond
the grounds, unworked pasture land and woods extend for a few hectares
across and down the valley. Our nearest neighbours are out of
sight, half a km away. (The two nearest houses are currently
uninhabited).
To
the west, beyond the seldom used access road, is the
other hectare of virgin forest. This slopes steeply down to the valley
bottom and is inpenetrable - a haven for a large variety of
wildlife.
The
Surrounding Area
In
the east, the Le Marche coastline is lapped by the
warm waters of the Adriatic Sea and in the west is protected by the
Sibillini Mountains, a part of the Apennine range. The natural beauty
of the Marche region extends from the Monte Sibillini mountain range in
the Apennines, which provides skiing in the winter and has an abundance
of hiking trails, to the Adriatic shore with it's resorts and fishing
villages.
Its
culture is closely related to its neighbours, Tuscany and Umbria, and
yet is quite distinctive - as yet unspoilt with varied cuisine of
locally produced rural fare and fantastic seafood as one would expect
from the Adriatic.
It
is an area with renowned health spas, local handicrafts still being
produced in the same manner they were in the last century and many
local fairs; especially the new wine, the fungi and truffle fairs
usually held in the autumn.
Monte San Martino:
Our local village of Monte San Martino has a population of
approximately 800 people and stands some 600 metres above sea level and
is a village of great interest, standing in a good position
precariously jutting out over the valley of the river Tenna. In its
churches are preserved wonderful artistic works by Carlo and Vittore
Crivelli and Giovanni da Camerino dating back to the 15th. Century -
Prince Charles visited Monte San Martino to view the artwork and had
lunch in the local restaurant in the piazza!
Monte Sibillini National Park:
Whether it is summer or winter the mountains of Le Marche have
something to offer to the hiker and lovers of winter sports
alike.
Ancient
legend has it that the Lago di Pilato in the high Appenines is reddened
by the blood of the devil.
There
are great walks such as a pass known as Golla dell'Infernaccio (the
gorge of hell) and one can also visit a cave in which legend says that
a soothsayer lived.
In
addition to these legends, the Monte Sibillini National Park is the
most beautiful part of the Apennine range that are, in places, Alpine
in character and extend to forty kilometres (25 miles) in length from
the Valley of the Fiastrone to Force Canapine with many peaks in excess
of 2,000 metres in height.
The
summit of the Bove Mountain can be reached by the highest cable car in
the Apennine range, rising to over 2,100 metres.
The
best way of exploring the Sibillini is on foot however, with
the most agreeable bases for touring being the numerous medieval towns
and villages scattered around the foot of the mountains.
Health Spas: The
Marche region includes a large number of water springs which, from time
immemorial, has been drunk by visitors for their therapeutic value and
these thermal centres have now been organised so that there are 2 for
each of the 4 provinces of the Marches.
The
nearest centres to our house are:
Sarnano: Has one of
the most important and well equipped baths resorts of the
region, the St. James Spring, it is situated at the foot of
the Sibillini mountain chain and is approximately 30 minutes
drive from our house.
Tolentino:The St.
Lucia Springs are situated on a hill some 2 kilometres from the
town.
Festivals: Local
festivals include the chestnut festival in Monte San Martino, the
truffle and fungi festival in Amandola and the flower festival in
Servigliano.
In
the summer at Fano there is a festival known as "Fano dei Cesari",
where for a week people dress in Roman tunics, drive chariots and do
battle with barbarians from Norway!
One
of the best known wines of the region is Verdicchio dei Castelli Di
Jesi and, in October in Cupramontana, there is a festival to celebrate
the grape harvest.
Other
events of some note at other times of the year are Verdicchio festo at
Montecarotto in July, in the autumn the Verdicchio d'Oro festival at
Staffolo and the wine fare at Offida celebrating the well known red
wine "Rosso Piceno Superiore".
However
there are festivals in most towns and villages on a regular basis,
either celebrating the harvest, the new wine, an historical event, a
religious feast or a pagan feast!
Useful links
Local estate agent
Our house managers who also do B&B
www.italymag.co.uk
www.italia-magazine.com
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