Stanley si sente parte della famiglia
Stanley is made to feel part of the family!
Stanley wants to say he’s sorry. He has no excuses for eating the entire fish on the beach. He says he knows he’s quicker than the average dog and it’s hard for mum to keep on top of the many delicacies he likes to try. By delicacies, he wants you to know that these are dog delicacies and not something he cares to speak about with his human fans. Suffice to say, without knowing how old said fish was, we had an interesting day talking to Italian vets about how best to take care of him. Emotions ran high until Stanley, fish topped up with mashed potatoes, proved he had successfully run the gauntlet and come out the other side unharmed! The same cannot be said of his mum’s nerves.
With that in mind, the last couple of days took a more laid back approach, and with that came different and, once Stan was known to be fine, equally lovely experiences.
That evening, we ventured forth to Leigh and the Lanzaro family’s favourite restaurant in Vico Equense, Terramia. Despite the fishy escapades of earlier that day, it was seafood I was drawn to. As I ordered the gnocchi, our waiter was quick to share that this gnocchi was made without flour. I’m quite pleased that the photograph captured the beauty of the dish. As it arrived at the table, it was as if the glistening pebbles from the beach, warmed by the sun, had been served up. Unlike a pebble, the delicious gnocchi morsels were soft and melted in the mouth. It was the perfect second course after the lightly fried, stuffed courgette flowers that had popped crunchily in our palates only minutes before. Leaving aside the wonderful food at this reasonably priced family restaurant, Stanley received that same welcome reception we have grown accustomed to from Italians. It’s a delight to see his engagement with humans bring such joy to those around him. If only they had seen what he’d eaten on the beach earlier that morning!
Everywhere you go in Italy, the importance of family is evident. The next day, fully satisfied that Stan was well, we ventured to Sorrento. It’s a beautiful place. We traveled there on the train, just ten minutes from the Sieano stop close to our apartment. On the boat trip, we had seen the town arguably from its best perspective. Perched high above the sea below, the many winding roads that lead to the beaches provide a Harry Potter or Escher-like vista. It’s somewhat other-worldly.
Our search for stories continued in Sorrento. So far, it’s been incredible what we’ve experienced upon on our travels - and today was no exception. The history of the town is one of holiday making (from as far back as Roman times) but also craftmanship and artistry, such as marquetry (woodwork), ceramics and lacework. And it’s our experience in the shop, Stinga Tarsia, that provides an insight into the power of family and the bizarre connections we find with others.
As a child, I often coveted the musical jewellery box in which my mother held her most cherished pieces. I loved it more because I knew how much it meant to her. My Great Uncle Stanley gave her the box. Suffice to say, it’s no coincidence that when Stanley came along, naming him was an easy task. Growing up, we didn’t have the traditional nuclear family and Great Uncle Stanley was an important male figure in her and my childhood. I hope that reassures you that this post celebrates families whatever their shape and size! So, imagine my surprise, when we happen across an almost identical replica of that jewellery box here in Sorrento. As I write this, I have just concluded a phone call with my mum in which she shared something of Uncle Stanley that I had not known. He visited Capri and fell in love with it, with his wife and youngest child Marilyn, in 1965. Could it be that he bought that musical box here in Sorrento, or even from the same store? When I return home, I’ll do my best to determine if that is the case. If he did, then perhaps it was Roberto’s father, Aniello, that Uncle Stanley met!
Stinga Tarsia is a very special place. The walls are adorned with work from across the generations. Roberto, the grandson of the founder of the store, works there faithfully. His wife is an artist in her own right, perfecting jewelry with coral sourced from the town renowned for it, Torre del Greco. If you’re serious about buying the highest quality coral make sure you ask about its provenance. However, it was the marquetry that intrigued us.
Despite the many signs on the wall asking that visitors did not take photographs, Roberto was happy to let us snap away. I’m glad he did, as those photos told the story of his family and expressed his pride and passion of their livelihood. Perhaps, it was the faithful way in which Stan took his place at Roberto’s feet as he showed us the traditional way in which the marquetry was created. What I would say, and I don’t think he fooled us, is that Roberto didn’t do this for every visitor. He had that perfect demeanour of understated confidence in his skill with respect for the fact that not everyone might want to see him perform it. As he settled into the ancient machinery to show us how it was done, he turned and said, ‘I will show, but only if you have time.’ We had all the time in the world and felt honoured to watch him.
Such is the impressiveness of this craft that the Italian fashion brand, Fendi selected Stinga Tarsia to create a bag in celebration of the twenty year anniversary of the baguette bag. Twenty artisans from Italian regions were selected and the honour passed to the brothers of Stinga Tarsia to represent Campania. The bag and accompanying literature is proudly displayed behind the desk and Roberto did us the honour of letting us see it in all its glory. Only seven versions of the bag were created, the one here is the prototype from which all the rest were created.
Now it wouldn’t be fair of me to write about Stanley’s human familial connections without a mention of the doggy kind. Many people stop and ask us what kind of dog Stanley is. They assume he is a cross breed variety, one of those gaining significant appeal - perhaps a West Highland Terrier teamed with some other breed. In honour of Stanley’s lineage I am proud to share the names of Stanley’s brothers and sisters: Another Stanley, Alfie and Twilip and one other sibling that I sadly don’t know the name of were part of his litter. And, like any great Sealyham, he was bred in Wales. The sibling, Twilip stayed there, she was destined to become a show dog but ended up having puppies. That said, her puppies have reached the very highest level of appreciation by Crufts. Below you can see Bobbi receiving his RCC, one of the highest awards Crufts bestow, meaning he will have lifetime membership of the elite organisation! Only 137 Sealyhams were registered in the UK last year. Knowing what a plucky, delightful and as one Italian yesterday described Stanley, elegant dog they are, I can’t see why. If this story of our adventure achieves anything, I hope you will appreciate and get to know this breed.
Our day in Sorrento was over, and what a day it had been. The only way to celebrate our departure was to take in that fabulous view whilst sipping a cocktail at the Bellevue Syrene. Tomorrow, on to Rome!
Moments before the fish incident
Squid ink gnocchi with rocket and shellfish
Stanley fits right in!
Sorrento built above the sea
Stan sits by as Roberto does his magic marquetry
Roberto’s family tree
Fendi commissioned Stinga Tarsia to make the wonderful Campania bag
Bobbi at twenty months old receiving his life-time membership of Crufts
The view from the Bellevue Syrene
