Delicious, addictive, porchetta.Adriatic walk between Giulianova and Tortoreto
As I get older I feel the cold more, and on Friday morning I was chilled to the bone. We don’t have our heating on a timer here, just switch it on when we need to, (the Italian way) and on Friday morning we definitely needed it. The house soon warmed up, and by the time I made my Friday morning market trip, it felt positively balmy. My Friday mornings at Villa Lempa market are always fun. This week it was even better because I picked up Porchetta for lunch. Italian street food at its best!
Porchetta (pronounced por- ketta) isa wonderful boneless pork roast wrapped in fat and skin and generously seasoned with garlic, sage, rosemary and other aromatic herbs and spices.
Saturday was gorgeous. Bright sunshine in a cloudless blue sky. We visited Giulianova and walked along the sea front (lungomare) to Tortoreto Lido. Everyone was out biking, hiking, and enjoying the sunshine. There were even a few brave souls in the water. It made me happy to be alive and I didn’t feel so old anymore.
I realised on Sunday, that we’re getting rather low on wine. I think a visit to see Caterina at Barone Cornacchia is on the cards. We love their Pecorino, Trebbiano and Montepulciano d’abruzzo. They are also a lovely family, with a great history. Their home is set in the most beautiful surroundings and boasts its very own church. Only in Italy!
Ugly beams before Mauro’s magicOur living area feels fresh and clean!
Before and after pictures of those huge oak beams. What a difference!
On Wednesday the painters left around 5 pm, and from the moment they drove away, hubby and I worked hard to make our room comfortable again. With no fire lit for almost a week, it was cold, so the first thing we did was light the log burner to get some warmth circulating.
On Thursday morning I drove to Ascoli Piceno to buy groceries, because we’d been eating out, or living on snacks for a week. We were both looking forward to a home cooked meal. Just before the shopping centre, I had to stop before turning onto the main road, to let a cyclist pass. Thats when my day got worse. BANG! The white van behind me did not stop. He hit the back of my car…oh dear! Being rear ended is never fun. In Italy it’s a nightmare because of that language thing.
I put my hazard lights on and got out of the car. The gentleman who’d hit me got out of his car too. “Mi dispiace.” (I’m sorry), he said. I could barely speak! I was a little shaken up (not hurt) and I had trouble finding the right Italian words. “Guarda, non ci sono danni.” The gentleman was telling me there was no damage. Indeed, there was no visible damage, other that black marks from his bumper on my tow bar. I managed to use my Italian words to ask him for his insurance information. I worried there may be damage we couldn’t see. He told me to drive to a safe place and he would follow me. Risky…what if he took off? I got in the car and drove to shopping centre car park. True to his word, he followed me. I took a photo of his driving license, and insurance, and got him to call my cell phone, so I had his number. “Stai bene?” He kept asking if I was alright. My hands were shaking a little. I think he felt sorry for me.
Before continuing with my shopping trip, I called Paolo De Angelis, our insurance broker. He is an amazing guy, and has helped us so much with numerous things since we moved here. We chatted and he made me feel much better. “Just send me all the information you have, and I’ll get it sorted for you.” Lets hope there isn’t anything to “sort”, but better safe than sorry.
Speriamo (lets hope) the black marks on my tow bar are my only damage!
Monday was a dramatic weather day! I awoke to swirling mists. My afternoon walk ended in dark skies and rain.
I’ve wanted to live in Italy for as long as I can remember. It took a long time to happen, but here we are, living the laid back Italian life. I may not be quite as laid back as the Italians (or even hubby), but I’m getting there. It takes a while to teach old dogs new tricks.
Everyone looks for something different when they move to another country. We wanted to immerse ourselves into the local community and its culture and we’ve done just that. We made life long friends with the good people in Colledimezzo, and now we have wonderful friends here in Gabbiano. I feel that fate brought us to our current location. It has everything we could possibly want! A perfect combination of small villages, historic towns, and of course my view of the beautiful Adriatic. The only thing missing is my daughter. She is always on my mind.
I thought I’d work on my book a little more when the painters were here, not much else to do, so a perfect opportunity. I wish! It seems when my routine is off, so are my writing capabilities. I’ll keep trying!
Monday brought rain and chilly temps again. I had errands to run in Ascoli, and timed them so I could pass by Istanbul Kebab on the way home! That was lunch sorted. I do enjoy a good kebab, but I’ll be glad when I can cook again. Two days to go! Looking forward to settling back into our freshly painted living room. It’s not quite finished yet, but already looks amazing.
Tuesday morning brought a brighter view. Heres hoping the rain stays away!
Mornings here are beautiful. Even if I wake up a little sad, they make me smile.
On Thursday, after a very busy day, I sat in front of the fire and worked on my book. Speak Slowly Please, I’m English, is the fourth book I’ve published, but the most important one I’ve written. I’ve been working on it for three years, and it hovers at around three hundred pages. I had to stop it there. It could have been much longer, but if my readers enjoy it, I have plenty of material for a sequel.
I’d just started my morning Yoga on Friday, when our musical doorbell burst into action. It startled me! I ran downstairs to find a man in a hard hat standing at our gate. “Buongiorno.” I said. “Buongiorno….blablabla!” he responded, waving a plastic key in front of him. “Piano, piano, poco Italiano.” (Speak Slowly please, I have little Italian) I told him. I don’t think he understood because his words continued to race from his mouth. I know it is very difficult for Italians to speak slowly, and I do love their beautiful language, but it’s sometimes impossible to know where one word ends and the next one starts. He unlocked the door to the metal box that held the gas meter, glanced at the reading, and closed the door again. “Va bene.” (It’s good). Then he walked away, along the road towards Piano San Pietro, past a new sign that warned motorists they were approaching traffic lights. I guess they’re working on the gas line.
Friday was a very full day. There was lots of buzz back and forth regarding the script and plot, for hubbies TV appearance next week. On Friday evening he had a call with his stage wife to compare notes. It’s very interesting and amusing listening to them. Maybe there’s a second career in the offing (or not). It does seem like a lot of work.
I’ve been working with Microsoft Co-Pilot to try and put a book cover together, or at least get ideas. My daughter will produce the final masterpiece. She’s an attorney by profession, but an artist at heart. Have a lovely day everyone.
The sunrise over the Adriatic excelled itself on Tuesday morning. I stood in silence for a few minutes and just enjoyed the view. In this uncertain world, a little silence is truly is golden.
As we drove to Rome on Saturday, the sun was so bright we needed sunglasses. We arrived early, and relaxed in the club lounge of our hotel. It was decked for Christmas and the atmosphere was very festive. Finally I got the text. “We’ve landed and we’re in the taxi on the way from the airport.” “Yeaaa, Lester they’ve landed, Christmas can begin!” I thought about how my mum must have felt all those years ago when we visited. It seems like yesterday. In less than twenty minutes Joanna and Christian appeared in the hotel lobby. Hugs all around! When they’d checked into their room and dropped off their luggage we met in the restaurant and enjoyed a few snacks, and a bottle of champagne. So much to talk about. It was fun to catch up, even though it was only a couple of months since we’d stayed with them in Denver. The following morning, after an early breakfast in the hotel, we drove back to Gabbiano. When my daughter visits us in Italy, the first thing she wants to eat are Turkish Kebabs…yes I know what you’re thinking…Kebabs in Italy! Do you know how hard it is to get a good kebab in the US? On Sunday afternoon we made a trip to Ascoli Piceno, and after a little shopping to buy the fixings for green chilli, we picked up kebabs, which were delicious, and made a great early dinner. Yes, we all love Italian food, but its also nice to have some variety.
Tuesday began well. I lingered over my cappuccino, blogged and then practised Italian. I enjoyed a short morning walk, chatted with some of my neighbours and enjoyed the beautiful countryside of northern Abruzzo. Walks and nature certainly help with wellbeing. Glad I did all of this early, because I came home to find hubby with a towel around him and water droplets on his back. The hot water turned cold half way through his shower. At times our boiler shows an F5 error, which can normally be re-set, but not this time. We checked everything we could and then began making phone calls. First we called a technician, who told us to call a plumber, who told us the call the gas company, and so the day went on. It was very frustrating. Finally someone came to look at our problem. His name was Mauricio. He checked the boiler, but that was not the issue. He went outside and checked the reading on the LPG tank. We had plenty of gas. That is when he noticed that the tank has been locked and sealed to prevent use. Only the gas company could do this! Why?…who knows? They obviously turned up when we were out. So now we’re in our third day without gas or a hot shower, could it get any worse….apparently it could. I was boiling the kettle to get hot water to wash our breakfast dishes when the electricity went off. UGH! I’d just filled the freezer. Hubby and I looked at each other in exasperation, and thought the worst. Paranoia set in! Now the electricity has been disconnected…what next. After a few minutes we thought logically. Has a fuse blown? We checked the fuses inside the house, all okay. Then we found the fuse box outside and, with the flip of a switch we were in business again, phew! Still no gas though. Apparently the contract (for some unknown reason) had been cancelled instead of being transferred to us. So after to a lengthy call to the gas company (who were totally unsympathetic) we were sent a new contract via email. We immediately read it, signed it and sent it back, but it could take two or three days. Maybe cold showers until next week. UGH! In the meantime, we’re signing a contract for natural gas to be supplied. I feel much safer without the worry of having my tank filled once or twice a year. We can use the LPG as a back up in emergencies.
We got through the day, and kept a smile…what else can you do?
It’s our second day back in the good old US of A and we’re slowly getting over the jet lag. I went to bed at 9:00 last night and straight to sleep. Although I was awake at 4:00 am, I felt rested. I’ll try and stay up a little later tonight. I decided to do some laundry today, so I bundled up all of our dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine…then stood back and laughed. I’d forgotten how big the washing machines are in the US. I need at least another couple of days worth of dirty clothes to fill its gargantuan mouth. It was a rainy morning and a slightly overcast afternoon, but it made for a lovely walk around Sloans Lake with Princess Tess. I remembered to greet people in American today. When I walked around the lake yesterday morning I greeted everyone with “ciao” and “buongiorno”. I forgot to tell you about my other mistake, I tried to purchase snacks in New York with Euros. It’s also tough remembering to say thank you instead of “grazie” I’m still practicing my Italian every day while I’m here…but maybe I need to practice my American too!
Enough for now, hope you’re enjoying my little mishaps. Have a wonderful week everyone and mantieni un sorriso. (Keep a smile)
No I’m not talking about money! I’m talking about getting a full eight hours sleep, not having heartburn caused by stress anymore. I’m talking about having the time to enjoy hobbies that had fallen by the wayside. All of these things make me feel rich. I woke up this morning at 8:00 am. That is AMAZING! After a leisurely coffee, I showered and then popped up to the pharmacy for some new masks…yes unfortunately COVID numbers are rising so I want to make sure I have an adequate supply. I stopped by the village shop for a couple of things I needed, and then back home in time to get ready for lunch with our good friends at a wonderful local restaurant. The food is so good here! Came home and baked, it was raining outside, baking seemed like a good thing to do. Shared my baked goods with our Italian friends, which made me nervous because their cooking is so excellent. They invited me to stay for a cocktail and some good conversation. Perfect day! Now I’m relaxing and doing whatever I like. Priceless!
To my friends my retirement plans appear to have gone smoothly. Things just fell into place!
They weren’t back stage watching me manage contractors across the Atlantic. Rising at 5:00 am, translating emails, working with furniture stores, banks, Realtors and trying to understand how to get things done the Italian way.
Luckily for me, the folks in our new village are wonderful, kind, helpful people. We couldn’t have done this without them.
“Oh things have gone so easily for you”
NO! It has taken perseverance.
Now we’re in the final chapter. House sold, furniture donated or sold. This final piece of the puzzle should have been easy. Book a flight and “hey presto” we’re on our way to Italy!!!
Not quite! Thank you Mr. Trump, for not being a great leader, actually for not being a leader at all.
Thank you for making Americans unwelcome in Europe! Luckily for us we have Italian residency and UK passports, but getting a flight from the US to Italy is almost impossible. We’ve had two cancelled already.
This isn’t the fault of Delta Airlines, who have been outstanding and helped us through this mess. I rebooked my flight for the third time yesterday, thanks to the great travel agents at American Express. They went above and beyond to help me. Lets hope the third time is a charm.
It isn’t COVID 19 that is bringing the USA to its knees. It is the way it is being handled, or should I say, not handled. Please Mr. Trump, in your last few months as President, show some compassion and decency to the folks of country you promised to “make great again.”
I only drink cappuccino, nothing else hits the spot. I must have at least one cup every morning. There’s nothing better than breakfast in Italy washed down with a huge foamy cappuccino. Unfortunately I don’t live in Italy so I have to make my own. For the last ten years or so we’ve had a La Pavoni coffee maker. The first one was the Romantica.
This wonderful machine produced excellent cappuccino time and time again without letting me down. When I had my kitchen remodelled, I went for the stainless steel look and of course this beautiful machine didn’t match my new decor. My daughter inherited it. When I visit her house I look at it longingly.
We replaced it with a stainless steel Pavoni.
A beautiful coffee maker, and at first it made beautiful coffee, until June 2013. Then it became temperamental. For a couple of months it simply refused to make microbubbles. We all know a good cup of cappuccino is dependent on the microbubbles. We replaced parts, took it apart, put it back together, tried everything to make the damn thing consistent. It would make perfect cappuccino for a month or so, and then for no reason, the pressure went crazy and it was impossible to get a lovely frothy top.
It has been consistent in its inconsistency for over two years now and I’m ready to invest in a new machine. The problem is, every time I throw up my hands and say “that’s it, I’m getting a new coffee maker,” it works again. I guess all the best things in life are temperamental. Italian cars, Latin men, and now apparently, Italian coffee machines.
Travel Tales and Mishaps 