ILLUSTRATION
Bettona Siamo Noi 11
Bernardo Bartolini
One of the things I realized when I bought my orto (garden) was that I was going to need help. Along came Bernardo who was still at the Agricultural School of the University of Perugia. Bernardo is the son of one of Bettona’s well know characters and the grandson of the great Enrica Longhetti, whom I’ve also illustrated. I’d seen Bernardo at family things over the years and knew he was at school. One day I was bringing a Book Club tour up to Montelabbate — a monastery midway between Umbertide and Gubbio — for a special visit and who should walk out of the abbey front door but Bernardo. We started talking and he said he had time to take on my orto. And so he has. From reinforcing the terracing on the hill to pruning the olive trees in winter, this great young man and has become indispensable. Thanks Bernardo
