Shopping, Biking and Me – Shopping, bici e io

What a glorious bike ride I had on Thursday afternoon. It was only ten kilometres, but look at those views of the lush countryside. Sometimes rural Abruzzo is so green it dazzles me. We lived in Colorado for almost thirty years and although I loved that wonderful state with its fantastic Rocky Mountains, it is only green for about a month every year. The lush vegetation in Abruzzo lasts all year round. It is much more humid here.
We are still battling with our fireplace and last night things didn’t improve. We have a lovely big wood burning fireplace, which also heats up the radiators. It does a great job when it’s working right, but for the last week or so it’s been kicking smoke back into the room so badly we’ve had to stop using it. We can’t figure out why because it has a glass front. We’re getting a technician to take a look. We aren’t without heat if we need it, because we can use the gas boiler, but with the price of gas who wants to do that.
Friday morning arrived full of swirling mists, but soon cleared to show beautiful blue skies. Grocery shopping day. I attached a photo of Al Battente Mall in Ascoli Piceno, which is where I do most of my grocery shopping. I like this mall because it’s all on one floor and has everything I need clothes, food, electrical, hair salon, restaurants, home goods, ATM, and it is only twenty minutes away from our house. Can’t be bad.

Friday evening brought Piero. Piero is a master plumber, but can turn his hand to anything, and I think he was involved in installing the fire when the house was built. It would make sense because it has water pipes behind it. Yes our fireplace, when lit, heats the hot water and radiators. He examined it, tapped, poked, shone a light up the chimney and diagnosed the problem. One of the dampers is not opening so smoke is not escaping as it should.
“Ordinerò una parte e tornerò per ripararla!” (He’ll be back).
Now this could be tomorrow, or next week, but we’ll get a phone call before he arrives. He is a very smart guy and has solved many problems, even those not related to plumbing. Piero is a good guy.

And finally…I don’t think I’ve ever shown you our fancy mail box…look at that then. Yes, I know, my bright green writing isn’t perfect, but you certainly can’t miss it.

Happy Saturday everyone! Buon sabato a tutti!