We got the news that our Contessa Pepita passed away 2 weeks ago and we wanted to share some photos and memories of her with you.
Her passing marks the end of an era for sure. It is because of her and her beautiful Lodoline that Il Chiostro ever began.
Maria Giuseppina Radicati Di Brozolo Hamilton yes, Hamilton. She married the love of her life Major Hugh Hamilton just a few years before he passed away. He was a legend in Chianti for bringing tourism to this beautiful area and even though they had been together for many years, she was still married to her Italian husband and divorce was not legal unless she claimed he beat her. Pepita refused to lie about the relationship so she and Hugh waited until the laws changed to finally tie the knot.
A British Equestrian magazine wrote an article about her describing her as a small, fragile looking woman made of steal.... that was Pepita for sure!
We went up to Lodole a few days ago to say goodbye. There was no one there so we snuck in the way we always did, jumping over the fence from Cipressaia, and paid our respects to her in her chapel.
As Michael and I sat up on that hill overlooking the rich valley of vineyards and olive groves, the golden light causing Siena to sparkle in the distance, we realized that even though we will never have those days again the joy we felt there was what inspired us to shape the experience of Tuscany we want to share. It will always be special place for us. We are filled with gratitude for having known Pepita and Le Lodoline.
Pepita shied away from the camera saying she wasn't the looker she used to be but here are some pix I managed to capture when she wasn't looking.
Thinking of you all,
Baci from Tuscany,
Linda and Michael
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| Le Lodoline from my kitchen window |
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| Pepita in 2008 with her trusted dog Prince |
4 comments:
I love the story, especially the part where you jump the fence to honor Pepita. And that is how it should be. You were lucky to have had time with her. Polly
We rented the old estate's manager's villa by her home in 2000 for my 50th and briefly got to know her then. She was lovely. Prince was only a young pup then. On my birthday she brought me a vintage bottle of her wine...... 9.00am on a Tuscany morning.... in full makeup ☺
Lots of stories of Hugh & the war & battles with the Archbishop of Florence. ...and of her many previous dogs & Horses. A delight. Rob Webb, Cheshire
We rented the old estate's manager's villa by her home in 2000 for my 50th and briefly got to know her then. She was lovely. Prince was only a young pup then. On my birthday she brought me a vintage bottle of her wine...... 9.00am on a Tuscany morning.... in full makeup ☺
Lots of stories of Hugh & the war & battles with the Archbishop of Florence. ...and of her many previous dogs & Horses. A delight. Rob Webb, Cheshire
Hi, I have stumbled across this post and I'm not sure if anyone still monitors it but, I am Hugh Hamilton's great-niece. He was my dad's mum's brother. We were so lucky to have many family holidays to Lodoline in the 80s and 90s mostly. We took his sisters out to see him one year (my grandma and my great aunt). Pepita was a force of nature and so kind to us. Hugh was wonderful too. Most of my memories of him after after his stroke. And to see your photo of Prince is amazing
He was hilarious, once waking up the whole estate in guard dog mode though he was actually barking at a hedgehog! Thank you for sharing these memories xx
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