http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums This is a forum about Italy. A place for lively debate and discussions. From visiting Italy to living in Italy our forums are full of useful information. We also have a large Italian Links Directory to help you find out the most about Italy and Italian Life. Chat rooms and much more. en Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:13:17 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/../forums/images/ibulletin/misc/rss.jpg http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3442&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:22:07 GMT On my recent visit I noticed that the amount of Italian Men wearing Man Bags seems to be on the increase. I observed and considered the wearing of... On my recent visit I noticed that the amount of Italian Men wearing Man Bags seems to be on the increase. I observed and considered the wearing of such item and came to the conclusion that it still is gay to wear one. So discuss and take the poll. ]]> Italian Culture Colina http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3442 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3441&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:59:35 GMT Ciao belli I took a GCSE in June this year at the local school with all the local teenagers and got a good result:cute:. I would reaclly like to... Ciao belli

I took a GCSE in June this year at the local school with all the local teenagers and got a good result:cute:. I would reaclly like to take another qualification as I have been learning this damn language for years now, but can I find any where else that does classes in Italian in Hertfordshire ... no. The nearest is Stevenage and it costs 550 quid a year plus another 200 pounds for exam fees etc I already go to private lessons. Does anyone know anywhere that does A level or something equivalent? I wouldn't mind doing it by distance learning, but that doesn't seem to exist either - there is a Certificate in Italian at the Open University but that is all. Adult evening language classes don't seem to exist anymore which is very poor. Has anyone any ideas:idea:

I know I'm a bit old for this but I'm actually enjoying it and it makes me work at my italian a bit more. I write to some friends I have in Italian and read Italian, but I tend to get a bit lazy with my grammar and spelling and think I need this extra motivation to improve. ]]> Language Queries headyheady http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3441 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3440&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:21:40 GMT A bit on the twee side for me, but worth watching for the beautiful background music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOhwdEWTNp0 A bit on the twee side for me, but worth watching for the beautiful background music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOhwdEWTNp0 ]]> The New Playpen Finbar http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3440 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3439&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:56:20 GMT I have lived in Italy for 6 years and have been stopped by the plod 3 times, all ok apart form when the local guy stopped me. He said as I am... I have lived in Italy for 6 years and have been stopped by the plod 3 times, all ok apart form when the local guy stopped me. He said as I am resident that I have to change my license to an Italian one. I am ok about this as I have no desire to visit, drive or live in UK ever again.
So I went for eye test 50 euros, then took my docs to the agenzia to do the change over. They asked for 200 euros and told me I had to surrender my UK license which means I can't drive for a month till they send me a new one. First I already have a license so why the hell should I buy a new one and second there is no way I am gonna be without a car for a month so I had a strop and walked out. There have been various opinions on forums about what the law states but if anyone has any "factual" imformation on this subject I would appreciate it. thanks. ]]> Other Legal Issues Herealready http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3439 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3438&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:00:23 GMT Travelling through Switzerland, minutes from the Gotthard Tunnel disaster struck, the car died - hard shoulder for us, Mr. T sprung into action and... Travelling through Switzerland, minutes from the Gotthard Tunnel disaster struck, the car died - hard shoulder for us, Mr. T sprung into action and produced hi-viz vest and warning triangle from the equivalent of the man drawer in the boot

12.00pm - spoke with recovery in England, one hour maybe longer said she. So Twigletta climbed over the barrier with the picnic rug to catch a few rays, Mr.T and I shared a bottle of warm coke and mentally tallied the cost involved of a breakdown in Switzerland.

1.30pm – Geneva recovery contacted us, ‘be with you soon’ said she.

2.00pm – Marco the mechanic lands, perfect English, smart jeep, shocked to his Toblerone that we had been waiting for 2 hours. We explained that the first hour and a half was at the English end and this seemed to make him less likely to top himself.

Safely loaded on the trailer, Marco takes control, ‘I will take you my village and you can eat and drink’ says he, ‘you are hungry and thirsty after two hours on the motorway.’ More of a command than an observation.

So we land in Wassen,’ I will call in one hour’ says Marco, and drops us in the centre of the village. We found a lively restaurant and dined on Schnitzel, frites, green salad and beer, not cheap but needed and delicious.

3.00pm – precisely, Marco phoned to say that he had located the problem (starter motor) ordered the part and he should be finished by 4.30pm.

We strolled around the village which is very picturesque, three or four hotels including a hostel and ended up in a bar favoured by bikers for ice cream and coffee. Watching the world go by we counted four Ferraris an Aston Martin (possibly driven by Jason Bourne) loads of super bikes driven by older gents and cyclists heading up into the mountains, mad fools.

4.15pm – Marco calls, the car is fixed he will collect us in 5 minutes. 3 minutes later, his trusty jeep picks us up and we go to his workshop. The car is not only fixed, but has been washed. We pay the bill, very fair we think, though Marco does apologise for the 30 francs for courier of the required part.
‘This would have taken a week in England,’says dear Twigletta.
‘You are tourists, I must get you on your journey’ replies the lovely Marco.

So we continued our journey, but with a bonus, driving through the village, we joined the Gotthard tunnel queue right at the front no waiting.
If you need a hotel, meal or indeed a mechanic near the Gotthard Tunnel, Wassen is the place to be, and you can queue jump the tunnel. So every story has a silver lining. ]]> Holidays and Travel twiglet smuggler http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3438 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3437&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:55:55 GMT This question has been asked on another forum but I thought the experts here might have the answer. What would be a reasonable cost for registering... This question has been asked on another forum but I thought the experts here might have the answer.

What would be a reasonable cost for registering a new build?

The person asking has been told that it will be several thousands as two surveyors are needed and a concrete analysis needs to be done too as well as the registration, but she has also been told there should be no signing off and registration costs because they should have been factored in by the builder in his original costs.

Who is right? ]]> Building/Renovation http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3437 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3436&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:57:16 GMT Here is a link to some amazing photos of Ferraris which have burst into flames! They have now recalled all of these models made this year, it seems... Here is a link to some amazing photos of Ferraris which have burst into flames! They have now recalled all of these models made this year, it seems that the cause of them self-igniting was some adhesive used in the wheel arch assembly, which got warm, melted and then wreaked all kinds of havoc with other flammable bits.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11071047 ]]> Current Affairs in Italy Relaxed http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3436 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3435&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:39:44 GMT Hi everyone

You've always been so helpful in the past, so I thought I would try asking this.

We are going to Sorrento next week for five days, does anyone know of a reasonably priced shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel - we're staying at Hotel Hermitage on via nastro verde. It would save us a bit of time if we could just share a bus there. I know there is one called Seahorse and I have sent them a query. Also any reasonably priced restaurant recommendations would be good.

Thanks in advance of your help again.:cute: ]]> Holidays and Travel headyheady http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3435 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3434&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:08:33 GMT I was sitting tonight in a pizzeria next to a table of people speaking some language which was impossible. My companion and I had gone through... I was sitting tonight in a pizzeria next to a table of people speaking some language which was impossible. My companion and I had gone through Russian (no, not quite), Polish (insufficiently guttteral) we agreed it wasn't Albanian, Moroccan or Rumanian (languages with which we are reasonable familiar) - so basically we were stumped. Tunisian being the only option (given the well tanned complexions) - though we had considered Sicilian (rejected that one) but Sardinian was an open option...

Anyway - that table departed - although their closing phrases included some recognisable Italian words - like benzina.

So, we then got talking to another table of Napolitani, and enquired of them what language they thought the other table had been using. The other table hailed from Beneveneto, we were confidently informed. A capoluogo mere kilometers distant from their own paese! Come mai non parlano Italiano?

Well basically why should they not have been speaking (amongst themselves) an extreme dialect? Fair enough - but the other Napolitani were as amused as us stranieri (and those guys spoke not only perfect Italian but had a little bit of exquisitely accented English!)

So - believing that Beneveneto had to be a no hoper spot in the depths of evil Campania, it got googled. Well, bugger me, it's as stuffed with important monuments and art as any place south of Rome might dream of - but maybe their schools are not that good! ]]> Campania Relaxed http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3434 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3433&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:03:44 GMT Can anyone tell me what the position is regarding collecting funghi? I’ve noted posters in Monti that seem to suggest that licences are required in... Can anyone tell me what the position is regarding collecting funghi? I’ve noted posters in Monti that seem to suggest that licences are required in order to collect funghi and cose del bosco. Does this apply to one’s own land? I ask because we did a walk of the ‘lower 40’ today and collected several specimens. As I meandered mindlessly to my front door I was suddenly gripped with guilt. What if this collection was illegal? What if someone saw me and assumed (rightly or wrongly) that it was illegal? I have no idea if these are even edible and wouldn’t dream of eating them until they’d been shown to an expert, but dare I show them to anyone? Italian life has suddenly acquired an edge that I’ve so far been unaware of. What do I do now? ]]> Gardening / Land Licciana http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3433 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3432&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:56:24 GMT No 22: Mad dogs and Englishmen" combined with No 79: " a charming little place we stumbled across in the middle of nowhere"

Background
So anyway it was il Gordino's birthday, one of those milestone ones which create total denial in the victim. Apparently he's 29.5 years old.:biglaugh::biglaugh:
In celebration we had a weekend off and went out for a posh meal in Lucca Friday night and lolled about on Saturday, picking our scabs and drinking plonk.

On Sunday rather than getting back to the grindstone, we felt an unusual urge to get out and about, justifying this as research for our embryo B&B service, learning more about the local countryside, planning walks etc. Unfortunately after 2 years in Italy, we are still unable to live according to the climate, and by the time we were up and ready for a hike up the hill it was about 11 o'clock.
Undeterred, we set off, vaguely thinking that we'd "just drive up to Ruota and have a look around", and be back in time for the grand prix(him) and end of the test match scandal(me)
Off we went, happy shining faces, camera in rucksack, but no water or provisions cos it's just a stroll, right?
Lovely little village, Ruota, a mile or so from us, half way up Monte Serra,the highest hill in the vicinity. It's actually quite a well-heeled place, reminds me a bit of some lake district or Cotswold villages which are preened and pruned and shined, so that they look like stage sets. Didn't see one old guy in a vest, but lots of neat geraniums and petunias, cunningly twined around terracotta pots and some rather fancy wrought iron work (sorry Licciana).

Anyway we spot a map at the piazza, which shows various trails up the hill, looks simple, we're experienced walkers, and we're just going for a stroll, right.
It's lovely, a forest walk through typical northern tuscan landscape, stony paths shaded by chestnuts and pine trees, sun dappling the pathway, occasional glimpses between the trees, of olive groves and the plain below. Of course we also get occasional glimpses of the top of the hill and it's so pleasant we decide to go on a bit until, usual story, we're committed, no way are we not going to the top, even though it's striking noon in the village church below, it's actually a wee bit hot now, and the steady climb is getting a tad tedious as it winds ver-ry slowly around the hill so that it feels as though you're walking back the way you've come, which in fact you are, just a little higher up the hill's contour. I'm slowing down now, and the vest is getting a bit soggy. I'm doing that counting thing where you have to count 100 steps before you're allowed to look up and then you're amazed how far you've got. That's just me then is it?
Il G is a constant hundred yards ahead and is doing that infuriating man thing of waiting for you and then setting off instantly when you catch up, so that you never get to walk together. I'm feeling like a Bengali wife.

I'm sulking now, in a minute I'll turn into a 12 year old, feckin forest walks, you can't see where you're going, there's no view, where's the top, why do we always do this, why didn't we start at 9 o'clock, we should always bring water just in case, and another thing - oh my god there's a parasol, an ombrellone, a stall and some people, ok it's a mirage, or someone's having a picnic, I can't see because my eyes are stinging with sweat but I'm not caring because it can't be true and I can't bear the disappointment of it not being a freezer full of beer.
Il G is waving at me and I'm ignoring him, I don't really care because I'm in the zone now, tunnel vision keep going, spirit of the empire, yomping across the moors, all that. Don't really want anything anyway, bugger me we've come to a road, and yes, we've fallen into an expat's memoir - ok the parasols were some numpty selling local honey and sweets (not right now thanks) but look darling, what's that across the road.. a charming rustic trattoria, I wonder if it's open...

Course the place looked as though it had been abandoned for years, but undeterred, il Gordino fought through the twisted gate, kicked over a few beer kegs and manky plastic chairs, peered around the corrugated iron leanto and led me (with I have to say an unnecessarily smug smile) into a garden where pranzo was in full swing.
It had everything, a building cobbled together from chipboard, bits of old wood, and bamboo, plastic tables and chairs with a patina of grime, a young serving wench who was lovely and wanted to practice her English which was possibly on a par with my Italian: "pig of the wood" anyone? - a smattering of characterful locals lunching, and hopefully a salt of the earth signora cooking up her specialties.
Sunday lunch was 15 euro for the whole thing. Believe me it was good enough - We skipped the antipasto and tucked into a selection of local primi including a damn fine risotto ai funghi, tortelli lucchese, then secondi - the pig of the wood as above, and some rabbit with tomato and fagiolini. The wine would have had to be really rank to be bad in my state, very cold bianco, perfectly gluggable.
We were too stuffed for dolce, and we reeled back down the hill to Ruota in quick time, happy wanderers. Missed the Grand Prix though. ]]> Toscana Fairy Nuff http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3432 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3431&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:46:50 GMT I know it has been many months since I last posted anything but life has been throwing little obstacles in my way and I ran out of time and energy. ... I know it has been many months since I last posted anything but life has been throwing little obstacles in my way and I ran out of time and energy. I have been looking in from time to time though and have been very disheartened to discover that no one has even slightly missed me.

I didn’t post because for a period of several months I was having nothing but bad luck and apart from being preoccupied with sorting things out, I was so busy being brave I had no energy left to communicate with other people. Who knew that keeping a stiff upper lip was so tiring? Then suddenly the streak of bad luck changed and the good luck came through big time in the form of redundancy which has provided sufficient spondulicks to have a gap year. It may turn out to be more than a gap year, of course. Could end up being a gap life if I never find any work again, but who cares?

So now I have time to come out to the UG (from whence I write at this very moment) and despite the fact that the house next door to ours has fallen down all over our property, and the fact that our roof is leaking badly and that all the hours I spent painting our ferro battuto railings were wasted because we used inferior Italian paint instead of proper British Hammerite, despite all that life is good! But prepare yourselves for endless posts with questions on practical matters such as how to insulate a roof with chestnuts and whether honey makes a good substitute for diesel. :jiggy: ]]> Introduce Yourself Licciana http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3431 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3430&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:07:27 GMT Things are looking a bit wobbly in Umbria – Perugia. www.ingv.it Things are looking a bit wobbly in Umbria – Perugia.

www.ingv.it ]]> General Stuff About Italy http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3430 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3429&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:08:13 GMT I'm back! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7JB6...eature=related ]]> Forum Announcements Anastasia http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3429 http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3428&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:18:32 GMT When I first arrived in Italy and bought my house, I was so excited to have two magnificent fig trees. One with golden yellow figs and the other with... When I first arrived in Italy and bought my house, I was so excited to have two magnificent fig trees. One with golden yellow figs and the other with deep purple ones.

I remembered buying the occasional, exotic, fig when they were available in Tesco and paying an arm and a leg for them too.

The first year I picked then. Swapped then with neighbours, always seeming to bring back more than I had given away. I dried them, cooked with them, made jams and chutney.

The trees grew and grew.

We cut them back and…they grew even bigger.

As the years have passed and I have come to fully realise the effects of eating too many figs, having two big trees is becoming more of a burden than a treasure.

I notice also that the Italians, although they all have trees of different varieties, don’t seem any better at coping with the bounty either.

It breaks my heart to see £ and £ worth of those precious fruit, falling and fermenting on the ground but at last I have decided to admit it. I can’t cope with my fig glut!!!:goofy: ]]> http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3428