This derelict mill is a wonderful example of the many early twentieth century flour mills which lined the banks of the Corsonna river. They were used for grinding sweet chestnuts to make flour, the chestnuts having been smoked for weeks and then shaken rigorously to remove the shells. In September when we run the last of our Tuscan painting holidays in Italy, the chestnut burs start falling, the driveway strewn with brown shiny nuts bulging from spiky husks.
