Tape 6 Side 2
Kitzbühel
The recording opens with a visit to Eugène Lubomirski in Kitzbühel, describing the “beautiful” alpine landscape with “green” valleys and “tremendous rocky heights.” The group swam, lunched, and reminisced.
Trebbio
A detailed account describes travelling to Trebbio to prepare for Krysia’s arrival with children and Adam. The return journey passed through Verona, Trento, Bolzano, Brixen, and Innsbruck, with a notable stop at the Hôtel Elephant in Brixen and at Schloss Linderhof, King Ludwig II’s “Rococo crazy palace.”
Trebbio itself receives glowing description as “a wonderful place” with excellent accommodations and “beautiful” surroundings. The Scaretti family proved hospitable, as did the Thomas family at La Rochetta. Paul gives warm praise for Krysia’s mothering abilities, acknowledging it is “a 24-hour job.”
Distinguished Visitors
Turkish Ambassador Shems Mardines and his wife visited for lunch. Sapieha notes their shared history across multiple postings: Athens, Ankara, Istanbul, Sudan, Beirut, and Vienna. He observes that “many of these people from the East are so much nicer” than Western counterparts.
La Maddalena
A brief visit to La Maddalena reveals declining romantic appeal. The property increasingly feels civilised and less remote, prompting reflection that “we shall never live there; I shall never build anything there, and the only reasonable thing to do is to sell the place.” Development threatens the location’s charm through planned village construction and incoming telephone infrastructure.
The Death of Kuriłowicz
Kuriłowicz, described as “one of my oldest friends” from 1921, died at month’s end. Sapieha emphasises their long relationship and his role as a loyal supporter. Historical context: Kuriłowicz was employed at a chemical factory in Tarnowskie Góry beginning around 1931.
Recorded: 21 September 1970.