Freecycle.org

Used Freecycle.org to advertise a few things we did not want. The basic idea is that you post a message on a website and if people are interested they contact you and arrange collection. No money changes hands. Got rid of old scanner, some of Jaynes OU books, sink & toilet etc.

Paris trip postponed

Did plan to go to Paris to UQS workshop however had to cancel as could not walk. Took a couple of days off work resting.

Cut foot in garden - anzac day

While working in front garden I stood on something that went through wellies and cut the sole of my right foot. Don't know what it was. Went to A&E for x-ray, bandage & tetanus injection. Catherine & Chris came around to dinner and George did most of the cooking - what a star.

Gartner Agile event in Egham

Drove up to Egham for a Gartner workshop on agile development. Jayne & George went to see Aunty Brenda.

Easter in Italy

Wednesday 8th April
Up @ 4am, away by 5, breakfast at airport. Flight was on time and a couple of hours later were in Pisa. Lunch at a pizza restaurant and then Georgina & I went up the tower while Jayne waited at the bottom. Great views and the lean was really odd - especially walking around the top. Georgina tried out her new camera. Left Pisa mid afternoon, stopped for food shoping in Aulla. Prices have gone up alot - was €100 for a few bags. Apartment was fine and the central heating worked this time (although we didn't need it). Cup of tea and relaxation on the terrace. Fish & salad for dinner

Thursday 9th
Had a little sleep in til 9. Jayne & I went to Aulla to get me a couple of shirts and shorts - weather was warmer than we thought. Also bought a few more food items for dinner. Prio to shopping had a lovely caffe in Bagnone - ahh the coffee is fantastic! Lovely, warm and sunny day sitting outside. George was at the apartment revising :-( Saw Catherine briefly. Lunch at home outside on the terrace then some reading and more relaxing. Later afternoon we all headed out for a drive to try and see Angela (not there) and Catherins (busy with clients). Went to Opillo (heard it had a great restaurant) although didn't find it. Tiny village, not much to see. Had a wander around Malgrate castle. Home for dinner - pasta with asparagus, pears, pinenuts & lemon. Almond torte for afters.

Friday 10th - Good Friday

Pontremoli caffe : my bicycle : card shop in pontremoli

Bike ride in the morning to Pontremoli - very pleasant and had coffee and pastry in the main square. Everything was open (Good Friday). Note to self - add "holidays" info to apartment web site info. My hayfever was really bad - sneezing - obviously not a good time of year. Relaxed at home in the afternoon. Roast lamb & beans for dinner - yum.

Saturday 11th
Went to see Angela first thing and had a coffee (how many is that? I'm not counting) with her. She is well and B&B is steady. Went to Aulla market - plenty of cheap clothes but very limited food. Had lunch in Piazza Cavour at a nice winebar. Excellent choice of wine. Spent afternoon relaxing on terrace (where have I heard that before?). Takeaway pizza for dinner

Very large Easter Eggs in Aulla

Sunday 12th - Easter Sunday
Chocolate Easter egg for breakfast and then long bikeride (30miles?). Lunch on terrace, very warm and sunny afternoon

Bike ride route.


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Monday 13th - Easter Monday
Met Angela and friends in Villafranca and then headed up to Zeri (famous for lamb) for lunch. Beautiful sunny day. Lunch 25€ all you can eat and drink - brilliant value, excellent food - antipasti, several pastas, various combinations of lamb and vegatables, dessert, coffee and some unknown but very tasty firewater. After this went to a place called Bosco - at the end of a road in the middle of nowhere. A nice little village. Stopped at a lovely waterfall along the way. Back to one of Angelas friends (Gigi) for a drink & coffee. He runs the theatre in Bagnone and we talked about having a food and cinema (cucina & cinema) event in the summer when we return. Basically - watch a film about food then eat the food - sounds good to me!

waterfall & village of Bosco

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Tuesday - just potted about home - not the best of weather. Got all packed up

Wednesday - early start, drove to Pisa and eventually got home to Bath mid afternoon.

Orange Wednesdays

George, Jayne & I went to Pizza Express then cinema (The Boat the Rocked) - both 2 for 1 deals as part of Orange Wednesdays. Had to queue for about 1/2 hour for restaurant - who said there is a recession?