The morning was spent packing, clearing up and getting ready for trip. Drove to Bristol airport for flight at 16:45. Arrived at Milan to cold weather and some snow on the ground - a good sign. Easy drive to the apartment, stopping for dinner on the way. Not much open. Took about 3 hrs.
When we arrived at apartment the central heating wasn't working again - pump had seized up. Hot water OK though. Into bed about 1am
Saturday 27 December
We forgot the cellar key so had to call in at Catherine's, pick up the keys and get the plumber around. He arrived late morning and after a quick tap of the pump with his hammer it worked OK. Cost €30 - still I know what to do next time. Did some food shopping and got the apartment organised. Takeaway pizza for dinner - yum. No credit cards taken
Sunday 28 December
Potted around the apartment and did some reading. Baked some chocolate muffins. Prepared a beef caserole. Made minestrone soup.
Angela & friend came around late afternoon. At 9pm went to a place called Vico - above Bagnone. Old medieval village and they have a 'real nativity'. Basically people of the village dressed up and doing old crafts - weaving, bread making, shoe making, blacksmithing etc in some of the cellar rooms in the village. Very realistic, friendly and lovely. Also a Mary & Joesph, baby Jesus (with a dummy!), donkey and cows in the stables. Afterwards some nibbles, cake & mulled wine. Delicious.
Monday 29 December
Headed to Cerreto Laghi for skiing. Had to buy Snow Chains. Got there about 12:00, had lunch and then after sorting skiis and boots (€16) bought an afternoon pass (20€ each). George & I had a great time skiing, Jayne read book in a local restaurant. Weather was mainly foggy with sun breaking through at the top.
Sausages, Rocket & pasta for dinner.
Tuesday 30 December
Nativity scene - Bagnone
Beautiful sunny but cold day. Jayne & I wandered out to Aulla for a little shopping. Coffee & pastry in Bar Nello. Went into bike shop to look at shoes. More expensive then UK. Sorted out new bank account in Bagnone. Very efficient bank manageress. George mainly stayed in the apartment doing some study and reading. Went to laundrette to wash towels & sheets. Dinner was chicken, stuffed with green beans and mozzarella.
Wednesday 31 December 2008 - New Years Eve
Post office first to pay water bill and post card to Mum & Dad. Coffee & pastry in Bar Nello. Went to Aulla for some food shopping - very busy. In the afternoon prepared some chocolate puddings for dessert. Went to try and find english speaking people in the village to see about chimney. Found a lady from Israel (Manuela)
Started to rain in afternoon.
Angela phoned saying her friend was sick. Original plan was to go to their house on the coast for New Years Eve, instead we went to Angela's @10:00pm. Cotechino (like a salamie) and Lentils were our traditional dinner. A couple who were staying at the B&B came around for pudding and seeing in the New Year. Lovely evening.
Thursday 1 January 2009
Lazy morning packing and tidying up the apartment. Left about 2:30 to drive back to Milan. Easy trip back. Car wouldn't start when we picked it up. Had to get it jump-started. Quite cold -2C. Back home about 10:00pm
No comments:
Post a Comment