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Well done for being so stoic, if you can cope with that you can cope with most things . I really felt for you at Pisa airport!. Lets hope the sun comes out the next time you visit.A

My experience is that Nov here in Marche is better than Feb, and our neighbours prune each tree after it is picked at that time. But I would try to rope a local in to advise on how to prune, you are looking for the open wineglass idea, to allow "the birds to fly through the centre of the tree". Also be aware that after a severe prune the next years harvest may also be low, so you are looking ahead for the year after to reap the benefits.A

Thanks Alma, will give it a go.A

Please pass on Alma, we need some cheering up today.A

Its working like a rocket this morning, no probs.A

We were having dinner in our local pizza place, ( village pop 800) and 20 young women came in to celebrate, I thought perhaps a birthday, but talking to one of them later ( in the loo as you do) she said "we are celebrating because we are all going off to university soon, I am going to Rome to study dentistry". A couple of lads popped in to see them during the course of the evening but did not stay. i thought this is the future of Italy, that women are making their own way with confidence. So may be an end to silly and stupid TV game shows, and role models for other young women here.Russ you are joking re Benny Hill?....please!.A

If there isnt a storm brewing, and the first indication of this here is that the internet is very iffy, this is fast for me, I never log off, but sometimes am required to log in again. Dont ask me why this works I am the least computer literate on this site!.A

There is a new bill going through the ½ûÂþÌìÌà parliament at present focused on educating children from an early age to appreciate animals/wildlife, and hopefully to conserve it rather than destroy it. It also pays attention to the overcrowded animal "sanctuaries", some of which have been a disgrace. Hopefully in time as Italy moves on the culture will change. Certainly the young people I talk to and also some of the older ones do not find hunting appealing in its current unregulated state and want to move on to a more modern way of thinking.The fact that animals are still being abandoned and left by the road side illustrates that there is a way to go, I live in hope of a less casual, cruel approach, and believe it will come within the time these young people grow up.A

Pilchard you made me laugh with your post, very funny.And I agree with you that outside of tourist areas English is not spoken or understood. However younger people in my small village speak it as they learnt it at school, and some of the older ones who have worked for international companies do, but this isnt the norm. So if Tammy comes prepared in the knowledge that she wont be understood, learns some basic ½ûÂþÌìÌà before she arrives and brings a good phrase book, she will be forearmed.A

Agree with Sebastiano, if you live fairly simply, and are prepared to put on a jumper or 3 in the winter , shop in season for food, and rediscover old clothes (who sees you except the neighbours and the chickens! and they dont care) then economies can be made.Main costs as said are gas and insurance.Having said that would not swap my life now so dont want to paint a bleak picture for anyone considering a move to live here in Italy.A