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I have to say that my experience with this German dentist, was absolutly dreadful, agony, from start to finish, had I been more clued up at the time would have reported him to his governing body. Have now found another one, the nephew of friends of ours and have just finished a course of treatment. Everything was fine, but I was very apprehensive after the previous experience.

Interesting, our neighbours, translate that as being a hedgehog,but porcupine a different beast, so amazing, saw one going down our road one dark night,a privilege, sadly did not want to come and visit us, and has not been muching on ours or neighbours ortos, perhaps he took exception to you Fillide?.

Glad you have your power back, it sounds like it was very difficult!, hopefully with todays sunshine, and sun for the rest of the week (?) it will dry out and things return to normal, people in Gualdo I think still without power.

I think your first step would be to make sure you qualify for health cover in Italy. Assuming you do then medications for chronic illness are generally free. Your doctor will refer you to the diabetic clinic at a local hospital and you will go and be checked there as often as they require to see you, a small charge to see the specialist. What is called the "ticket" price here. You will probably have to pay for blood tests, but this seems to vary. Not sure where you will be referred to from Sarnano, but probably Penny, another forum member will know.

Not so bad up in our hills around Montegiorgio, but the worst rain in 40 years, and as others have said, mud slides, and trees down, all over Marche, friends near to Monte San Martino without power for over 24hrs now, and the loss of life is very sad. Thanks for your friends pictures Adriatica, a dire situation on the coast.

Perhaps should just point out we have internal and external shutters to the main house, otherwise as Adriatica says we would stifle in the summer (whenever that is!).

Agree with Ram, paint is expensive and its better to spend more,then covers in 2 coats and is washable without washing all the paint off as well. Sebastiano is a mine of  information, and has been a great help to us, from hairdressers to finding a man to cut down our huge dead willow tree.  

Just as an add on re Folusci in Tolentino, we used them in our apartment resoration, for windows, shutters and all doors, and were very happy with the service and the price. For our house which just needed a new front door we used a local guy situated on the road between Falerone and St Angelo, who has also worked for friends, we are all more than happy with him. Dont know how good you guys are at DIY, but for our house Robert made and fitted internal shutters, perhaps you could approach the task slowly and devise your own project, anyway wish you well, and welcome to Marche.

Thanks all for the good wishes, I should add that that our celebration has much to do with the friends we have met on this forum, some of whom live locally, and for their generous help and advice, freely given when we were struggling at times.....!

Ohhh, you do Marche a disservice!, try Le Loggette in Falerone for the best home made pasta around, and Osteria san Ruffino on the road to Amandola for ½ûÂþÌìÌà cooking with a light touch, both reasonably priced and fantastic service and settings, one by the lake looking to the mountains and Le Loggette a balcony table and watch the sun go down and the lights come out in the distance. Farfense, in San Vittoria, is said by a Guardian critic to be the best pizza he has ever tasted..... Its great to cook other foods you miss at home, I know we do a good curry.......but guests staying with us have been delighted with the restaurants mentioned here, all tried and tested by us and friends first!.