It seemed fitting to celebrate the fruit which sustained so many Italians in war time on the same day that we raised funds to sustain Italians struggling after recent earthquakes in central Italy.
Sadly the famous wasp from the east has made the chestnut harvest very weak and heavily infested, so it was not easy to find good examples of these treasured fruits, however our families were willing to try and headed off happily into the chestnut forest.
Some of our guests were distracted by other forest goodies......!
Back at the Hazelhut we had prepared a chestnut rich feast for everyone - papardelle with mushrooms, chestnuts and pancetta, rabbit and chestnut stew and 3 different chestnut sweets! Chestnuts truly are a versatile and very tasty food!
After lunch we put our guests to work planting bulbs in aid of the Italian Red Cross. During the last earthquake the Hazelhut was full of children and we were forced to revise our idea that Italy would not need our donation. We now know that the crisis will not be over for many many months and we hope that the €186 we raised in the sale of bulbs will make some difference.
Afterwards there was time for the children to enjoy the sunshine, have a tractor ride, or finish their artwork.
Thank you all for your generosity in buying bulbs for the Red Cross and for being a part of our first Chestnut Day. We are sorry that the fruits were few, but we hope that you can all come and see the tulips, daffodils and crocuses in bloom next spring - a sign of hope for better things to come!
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