Hysterical water

I found this little bottle walking up a trackway to Fiesole the other day and put it to one side. It was still there today and brought it home. On one side it says in raised lettering S M Novella (Santa Maria Novella) and on the other Acqua Antisterica - literally Anti Hysterical Water.

The bottle is from the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, which is 400 years old. You can still buy SM Novella Water here. It is made from
 a mixture of 'aromatic plants used over the centuries and known for their calming and digestive properties: costmary, mint and cinnamon. The original formula was developed in 1614 by Friar Angiolo Marchissi.'


It was a terrible dreich day and I had a visit to the dental hygienist. Ouch.



We've got 30kg of olives in the back of the car which come from the few trees at the house.  I shall try to get them milled tomorrow although way below the official threshold.



Brexit unfolding like a slow motion car crash.