A LONG WEEKEND IN GVA

Cinzia left Lorenzo to debate the value of blood diamonds and came with us to empty the oceans of fish in the geriatric Curling Cafe (welcome back to Geneva Cris!). From there we bounced for coffee and a shave in Gilette's new cantine with Freda.

La Madre, Fox and Alyssa made treacle tart in Collex to lure us back before surprising Robi and Nath - or should I say before driving round the block for ages looking for a parking spot.

The "apero-dinatoire" set the style for the rest of the weekend since it rained and poured and there was no way we could have skied... so we partied our socks off instead. Poulettes au rendez-vous! Pizza (no fondue :-( to Cristian's relief) and SIP.

Croco brunch with the Friedbacher-Foxes, cakes at Val's new pad (mum was let out of the garage to pasture the horse in the garden - dont ask me if I was on acid!), the usual unusual Sunday Dinner at Pasinis and it was time to bid farewell.

Until next time!


Thierry and Michela before the big debate against Val and JP on Pizzokkel vs Pizzokkery


Sandra looking swish in pink


Mais yes bichette, faut ouvrir les yeux poussin ;-)


Me souviens plus, y'avait une histoire de chat?


Meme pas peur!!


The crocodile was no longer there at the Musee d Histoire Naturelle de Geneve so Alyssa decided to knock a tooth out to entertain us... Here featured with Zoe and friends.

BEAVER IN THE BUSH

Or was it that Bush is a beaver?

It was swimming in a pond amidst the fields oblivious of the sniffer dog straining on the lead trying to get to it. One false movement by the intrepid walker and it dived for cover.

No pics. Only butterflies and lots of mud...

3 WHEELS ON A 4 WHEEL DRIVE

Most people use their 4x4 SUVs to go to the supermarket. I disagree. I use Cristian's to roll down hills. Whilst the Dickinson family checked out the house of their dreams, I reversed down the narrow drive, only to feel the car tipping dangerously towards the cliff... In true British fashion, Mr Dickinson strolled over and suggested I drive my three remaining wheels forwards rather than back.

It took several men, many logs and a huge plank to get the car back on the flat. So much for 4x4 - next time I might stick to supermarkets!


Somehow this pictures does not show that I was really about to tip over.

BUZZARDS, VIPERS, DAFFODILS AND GETTING YOUR EGGSHELLS IN THE RIGHT PLACE

On the way to work the other day a buzzard pounced on a viper and dragged it up in the air. On the way back it was raining and I managed to squash a toad. There were lots of them sitting in the road and I was trying to avoid them without loosing control of the pimp-mobile.

Global destruction.

No frogs, no snakes but plenty of daffodils (surely, February is a little early, even for Tuscany?). Having wiped the border of wildlife, I decided it was time to take the bull by the horns and weed out the person responsible for recycling. Did I mention somewhere that I am fed up of composting in my mini flat only to find that the container always contains a mixture of rubbish?

Mission failed. He was out - again.
Stay posted, he is not going to get away with it that lightly! Maybe I could organise for that viper to land in his office?


Daffodils grow well on compost.


Santa Maria Nuova is old, wrinkly and beautiful.

EYES WIDE SHUT

Whenever I meet up with Federica I always end up lost in the hills on either side of Perugia. Last night I was supposed to turn at the pigsty. It was pitch black. All buildings looked the same and there was no smell... so I ended up not seeing the turing and driving for ever to eventually end up in Elce where Federica found me frazzled. (Should I mention that the petrol pumps are all closed as there is a strike so it did seem like the best of times to accelerate round the country in my small car).

From Elce we went to Bastia and met up with Gabriella and her new camera. The restaurant was called Ciliegie&Pane. Never go there. It was terrible.

Since there were no cherries in sight, Gabriella decided to make some by flashing her digital into our eyes. The results are below!


Far from full. The salads never arrived, but we were asked if we wanted them after the desert. The wine on the other hand came with the coffee...


Too much pepper?


Tightly shut to shield from the flash.

LA FEE DU LOGIS

Cristian's official birthday party (Saturday and Sunday) dragged on and became a footballers frenzy. On Thursday they gathered in hoards to celebrate -- or just to gather in hoards. From an initial group of 20 they ended up being 36. Breathe in. Imagine how many onions need dicing to feed 36? How many eggs need beating? Tins greasing? I have become a hybrid between Rocky Balboa (for the arm muscles resulting from cooking) and La Fee du Logis (from cleaning up afterwards). I gather it was well worth it though. Cristian did not manage to make it back to Cortona but stayed at the Lago. I on the other hand had a splendid evening out with Giorgio and Federica in the Relais Borgo Brufa, a charming spot.


Mine looked a lot nicer than that of course!!

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

A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH TIBETAN MEDITATION – OR A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ITALIAN SOCIAL RULES

What I discovered when trying to organise the party was:

It is perfectly acceptable to:

- not bother answering an invitation even when asked repeatedly, and in advance;

- declaring that you will only come if there is really nothing better going on;

- cancelling on the day;

- inviting several of your own friends – also on the day – with a couple of them not even bothering to turn up even though there was a mad scramble to accommodate them – oh and not needing to apologise about it either; and finally,

- I also found out that it is ok to not bother to say bye to the hosts, let alone thank them for the party…

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT

When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Venice, do not do like the Veneziani. Why? Because it is impossible to figure out what they do anyway because they are so diluted by tourists, and it would certainly not be recommended to do like the foreigners do.

Pigeons might pooh on you whilst you are having your romantic gondola ride, but it is even more likely that some laddy from up north is going to spit on you. The Japanese carry their parasols around for a reason...

The teachers were happy for some peace and just watched as the kids spat out lumps of gooey stuff. Nice. Great to be on top of the bridge as opposed to under it.

In Venice (breathtakingly stunning, even after the millionth visit), you also don't expect to receive beautiful rings, find cool places to celebrate and get the time to catch up with good friends Rocio and Piero.

I always love the bit where he wiggles around in his jeans and asks Rocio if she has any space in her handbag. They are getting married and she is unruffled by the idea of carrying a pistol to the altar. A bit of gangsterism -- in my mind only!


Some very cool people were hanging out on the Rialto Bridge.


Piazza San Marco and its gondolas.


Classic shot - filmlike!

TUBES AND ACID

Just when we thought we had it all under control and that I finally managed to get to the hardware shop and purchase a bottle of anti-blockage, the sink gave way... Talk about medieval plumbing. The tubes below the sink have disintegrated. Ok, the blockage has gone and the water now flows freely - onto the floor.

Fancy popping round to sort it out? Oh and the oven is still not working!
Domestic paradise.

(and still not a picture in sight)

THEN AND NOW

This really is today (as opposed to the retroposts I have been cheating you with). As I look back on the past months, I feel like I need to sit in a bubble bath for a day or two and ponder rather than keep up the juggling act. Maybe that will be my new year's resolution?! Take a bath.

A couple of weeks ago I was covering the Stockholm Convention committee meeting on Persitent Organic Pollutants - as a last minute stunt for IISD whose main writer had broken her shoulder. Which reminds me that maybe it is not such a good idea to sit in chemical baths?

Somewhere along that line there is also a great AlItalia travel story, but I will spare you for the time being, just adding that next week Gioia and I are back off to GVA using Easyjet.

You have been warned!

ARTISTS AND WRITERS

Our visitors hit a new dimension when Anna and Graham came and stunned us with their artistic and creative skills.

It was bliss to wander around and just gaze at menus and the countryside around Cortona. A relaxing weekend for all of us I would say.

The picture will be on the wall soon to prove it!

SANDRA, MICHELA, IL CONTE, LA VAL D'ORCIA

How could I not be totally cheeky and set up a meeting between Sandra and her husband to be?! He was restoring their future home which will also include a school for her to teach in (when she is not organizing tea parties :-)

Then we just had to go off to Montalcino to celebrate with delicious wine and bruschette. Michela and I gazed over the walls of Pienza too whilst Sandra darted about with her new digital camera.

We managed to try out most of Cortona's restaurants and then hit Route 66.

Photos will give you more of an idea...

COMING AND GOING

The visitors have been and gone, confirming that October was 2006's most popular visiting month. With mum we whizzed around, giggled, shopped for food and cleaned up. Whilst at the Coop I managed to get my purse stolen :-( with everything in it, especially the Italian driving license it had taken me sooooo long to get hold of. On the upside, it did mean that I got to meet the Maresciallo of the Carabinieri (did I say up side?! - that might still need confirming!!) who told me that it was far to early to do an official "denuncia" and that it would be better for me to wait a bit longer to see if anyone actually sent my documents back.

No sign of anything yet - and it has been a month - so maybe I will do that dichiarazione anyway now rather than driving around document-less?

Mum also prepared lots of delicious G&Ts for everyone whilst I went to my course in Arezzo.

Need her here full time!!