We recently witnessed the destructive power of the 2016 earthquake(s) in and around Norcia. We can all also remember the devastating effect of the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami, the recent Australian bush fires or perhaps more locally living through the awful weather the UK and elsewhere has experienced this winter. These all provide clear remindersContinue reading “Controlling Nature”
Author Archives: Dave & Lesley
The Norcia loop
Umbria is awash with tiny, medieval, hilltop towns, so we are getting used to the idea that visiting anywhere interesting often involves a fair amount of up. Our 4-mile circular mainly level walk around Spoleto today was a bit different. Above Spoleto’s old town is a medieval Rocca and spanning the deep gorge to one side of theContinue reading “The Norcia loop”
C-UMBRIA
Over the last few years we have become more and more interested in the performance of our pension pot. We now keep a keen eye on the growth or otherwise of the various stocks and markets our pension pot is invested in. When thinking of which markets might perform well in the future, trainers (orContinue reading “C-UMBRIA”
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino
When I saw the Republic of San Marino on the map and a potential place to go my first thought was – oh, isn’t there a Grand Prix circuit there? I knew the Italian Grand Prix was also held at the Monza circuit. What I hadn’t appreciated was that San Marino Grand Prix was heldContinue reading “The Most Serene Republic of San Marino”
Roaming around Romagna
Although our stay was a brief one night affair, I was quite disappointed in Castel Bolognese. For a start they don’t have a castle and bolognese is apparently in reference to the famous meat sauce said to originate from down the road in Bologna, but where they also don’t have a proper castle! Swiftly movingContinue reading “Roaming around Romagna”
The Italian Job
When I heard that a German film production company were planning to do a re-make of “you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off”, I didn’t believe it until, when leaving Les Gets we spotted these 3 Mini’s (sorry BMW’s) in the car park at LiDL…., so it must be true. I wonderContinue reading “The Italian Job”
Leaks in Les Gets
Skiing can be an expensive holiday, especially if you go at peak times, to exclusive hotels and chalets can be eye-wateringly expensive. Then there’s the ski equipment, lessons and all those tempting spa treatments to consider. By booking in September 2019 our two Les Gets ski passes cost us £725 for the whole ski seasonContinue reading “Leaks in Les Gets”
Something fishy
In 2018, an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide purchased goods online. During the same year global e-retail sales amounted to 2.8 trillion U.S. dollars. Ecommerce in the United Kingdom increased in 2019 by 14.6 percent to over 200 billion euros. So I’m not the only one buying a few things on the internet. Whilst at homeContinue reading “Something fishy”
Dolomite Sprint
A report out this week found that foreign language learning is at its lowest level in UK secondary schools since the turn of the millennium, with German and French falling the most. Therefore I’m ashamed to confess that I’m rubbish at languages and almost always defer to Lesley, that is except in the case ofContinue reading “Dolomite Sprint”
Go No Go
If you want to drive a vehicle in Austria and it weighs more than 3.5 tons (including all lorries, buses and heavy camper vans). A mileage-based toll applies on Austria’s motorways and expressways and you need a Go Box. The box costs €5 to buy and it must be loaded with a £75.00 minimum pre-payment.Continue reading “Go No Go”
