COCKTAILS, SAUSAGE ROLLS, FROCKS AND SO MUCH MORE

Cristian became older than me this Sunday. He now has a "toy-girl" - and lots of pasta shells filled with meat balls as well as mountains of cake. That is what happens when you celebrate with people who, without being British, spend more time drinking than eating. It might have been related to the amazing TomCrusesque skills of the barman, or to my cooking skills?!?!


Looking good before the boogie in Route 66.


Looking bad, even before the night ended!!

SLIMEY

At some stage I suppose I should start telling about the world of Italian real estate? Or maybe I shouldn't. Shattering the myth that they/we are all slimey? I might have more on the topic on Monday. In the interim, the only slimey thing I have at hand is my nose... charming. And who said it was not a good idea to get bronchitis/chest infections (I'm in Italy, so it's an Influenza and I should have spent the better part of the week in bed - but who can do that when there are castles to see and sales to shop?)


One of the nicer places visited so far.

THE CLANET

Although there are no pictures to prove it, I wanted to let the world know that the Clanets survived two nights on the sofa!!

Brigitte also overcame the madness of Marco's navigation system. Take a left here, take a right there. Tom tom did not stop them from getting stuck in traffic absolutely everywhere - 5 hrs to do 200 km... and Marc was raving about how fast you ("you" being very relative since his car drives itself / automatic everything, a true boy's dream. It even blows your nose if you ask it nicely) can drive on Italian roads.

They also managed to avoid Santa Margherita. If Madame Clanet senior is reading this, she will be appalled to see her son did not even check out the mummy. So they will have to come back!

SHAKEN CASINO ROYAL

How come half of the world sneers when I say I am going to see Casino Royal? Ok, so it’s old and you have all seen it ages ago – or at least last year… but I am going to see it in a theatre, so there!!! And the chandelier might be strung too low and obstruct part of the top of the screen, but its crystal, so who cares!! Cristian has surely got his mind on one of those American inventions that allows you to stick maize in a microwave and get popcorn out instead. Happy chomping!


Hello Mr Bond - did I mention that Judi Dench was in Cortona recently?!

THE YEAR OF THE TUNAED BABY COW

And that was the recurring theme of this New Year’s Eve Party – not only because it kept popping up everywhere, but also because it ended up being totally impossible to digest…

From a shrivelled sausage, to club sandwiches and a cheese flap – “ma che cazzo?!” Jo did an excellent job at being the only Brit floating in a sea of Italians.

Federico and Federica decorated, cooked, salsaed and collapsed on the armchair.

Daniela made everyone believe she was foreign until they figured out her accent was from Italy.

Marinella tamed the boys at the end of the table – Fabrizio, Daniele, Davide and Iuri whilst Valentina pounced on Francesco.

Following genuine Chi Gong techniques, I spent some of my time hugging imaginary trees – and there is something to say about it too – and most of my time cackling like a mad hen.

Cristian who had probably felt like nobbling me for the most part of December as I fretted and moaned about the Italian way of doing things had a jolly time keeping everyone happy.

Ha, see, so the tunaed baby cow stayed with us, and today, the 2nd, the car still honks of it – badly.

Here are some pictures of what turned out to be a very fun night, first in the birthplace of Pietro da Cortona and then down in the main piazza!


The beginning of the party, when we could all just balance on the arm of the sofa.


Iuri the swallow and Davide the conductor.


What posers...


Lighting the night on fire.


On the main piazza!

END OF 2006 - BACKWARDS AND IN PICTURE


Anna, Graham and the All Bran came over in October... who said when the "end of 2006" started???


Hand in hand in the hospital, Joanne and Isabelle. Joanne was born on the 15th of August, but the picture was taken in October.


Clutching beers at Les Brasseurs, Gare Cornavin, Geneva, Melanie and Nienke survived working with me on the POPs Review Committee meeting at the beginning of November.


We celebrated Federica's birthday sometime in December but did not take a picture of her... this is me and Paola instead!


Il Giorno dei Re, Matteo put on his king hat. That was December.

OCTOBER IN DECEMBER

For some strange reason, October was the most popular year for visiting and going abroad. First Valerie, Jean-Pierre and their charming little Robin came over and drove all of Cristian's lorries, loaders, bikes and jeeps around the parking lot.

Then mum came from Venice - go mate - in time to help my tidy up, work (a bit) and investigate the country around here. She was also here to care for Sandra and Michela whilst I went to my course and got my wallet stolen. Did I not say that it took me ages to get my declaration with the Carabinieri done? Another one of those great adventures!!

Sandra and Michela were great fun, playing tourists and visiting as many places and bars as possible. We now have the plan sorted that Sandra will marry the Count I introduced her to and come and live in Italy where he will build a school for her to teach in. In the interim, Michela will move over with Thierry and we will all live a happy Pizzokery life!!

Then Anna and Graham came down for a long weekend. But I wrote about that below!

In the meantime, I managed to go to GVA to check out Sabine and Todd's new pad - niiiiiice!

Was that it for October? Mah, who knows?!



"un omaggio?!" was misinterpreted by JP as meaning that the baloon was for free, not that he was expected to give something in return!


La famiglia Renggli al gran completo.


Mum and the girls, the night I got my wallet stolen - and the time I didn't get dinner either :-(


Charlie's Angels - serious or what?!


La cara Sigurta in un momento Toscano.


Blimey, Sant Antimo exactly as on the cover of a book!

Did I fail to mention that we had an absolutely amazing Poulette's night out in Geneva. The Mortimer's will never be the same place again...


Sabine and Fred posing with her eyes closed.


Pixepat and Val


Fred and H


Sandra and Mimiche


Val and Olivia