And so the girls had the time of their lives, the first week in plenary during SAICM - no, don't ask, I cannot remember!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
GALLINELLA E GAMBERI
We didn't eat shrimp but to catch a gallinella fish, you have to give it shrimp! Classy thing. With or without cocktail sauce. A highlight of our trip to Grosseto and Castiglione della Pescaia, excluding my surreal conversation about sustainable wood at the Timbuktu shop - which had the most amazing tables, but no certification scheme running.
And so it was that we came home empty handed, with just a tan to show for a lovely weekend on the Costa Maremmana.
Once cooked, Gallinelle prefer to eat potatoes.
Gianni admitted having fished baby anguilla in his youth.
Beppe and Petula stuck to seppie.
Whist Matteo and Yoanna ordered the entire menu.
We didn't eat shrimp but to catch a gallinella fish, you have to give it shrimp! Classy thing. With or without cocktail sauce. A highlight of our trip to Grosseto and Castiglione della Pescaia, excluding my surreal conversation about sustainable wood at the Timbuktu shop - which had the most amazing tables, but no certification scheme running.
And so it was that we came home empty handed, with just a tan to show for a lovely weekend on the Costa Maremmana.
Once cooked, Gallinelle prefer to eat potatoes.
Gianni admitted having fished baby anguilla in his youth.
Beppe and Petula stuck to seppie.
Whist Matteo and Yoanna ordered the entire menu.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
TWO SHEFFIELDIANS & DUE CAPPUCCINI
Tolentino sounds like Torremolinos, Sheffield University's student disco night. Somehow, Toby and Helen managed to get their hands on a property out there, in the middle of an olive grove, for their holidays. For an even more inexplicable reason, we did not manage to go and visit, so they came here instead, and helped us swat a few mosquitoes out of the way!
Tolentino sounds like Torremolinos, Sheffield University's student disco night. Somehow, Toby and Helen managed to get their hands on a property out there, in the middle of an olive grove, for their holidays. For an even more inexplicable reason, we did not manage to go and visit, so they came here instead, and helped us swat a few mosquitoes out of the way!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
AN ITALIAN WEDDING
Chiara and Massimo waited 14 years for their special day, so they turned it into a weekend and had absolutely everything, from the dress, suits, shoes, to the flowers, black cab, horse-drawn carriage, canapes, cakes, fireworks, confetti, the lot.
and the veil of course.
and round-looking guests at Il Melone, Camucia.
Chiara and Massimo waited 14 years for their special day, so they turned it into a weekend and had absolutely everything, from the dress, suits, shoes, to the flowers, black cab, horse-drawn carriage, canapes, cakes, fireworks, confetti, the lot.
and the veil of course.
and round-looking guests at Il Melone, Camucia.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
COLD CUT GALORE
Where can you combine Una Vita Spericolata with a Salami? Where can you find pici and entire legs of ham for under 5 Euro?
Pozzuolo of course!!
On Wednesday night we listened to Vasco (needless to say that it was not Mr Rossi that was performing but a look-alike that Paolino adores, possibly less that he loves Zampo or the boat driver, but he is still besotted). After the pici and before the concert, we gambled five euro on the lottery. Michela got wine, Paolino got a salami, Federico got a pecorino cheese and then, with the same number, a whole prosciutto! Duty bound to help them make their way through their winnings, we invited them to dinner on Friday. Michela surprised the crowds with a GREEN cake.
Before hoards of mozzies arrived.
Spinach and coconut?
Where can you combine Una Vita Spericolata with a Salami? Where can you find pici and entire legs of ham for under 5 Euro?
Pozzuolo of course!!
On Wednesday night we listened to Vasco (needless to say that it was not Mr Rossi that was performing but a look-alike that Paolino adores, possibly less that he loves Zampo or the boat driver, but he is still besotted). After the pici and before the concert, we gambled five euro on the lottery. Michela got wine, Paolino got a salami, Federico got a pecorino cheese and then, with the same number, a whole prosciutto! Duty bound to help them make their way through their winnings, we invited them to dinner on Friday. Michela surprised the crowds with a GREEN cake.
Before hoards of mozzies arrived.
Spinach and coconut?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
ST MEDIE PARADISE
The second group of poulettes squawked in St Medie, between Sisteron and Aix-en-Provence, for a full three days, occasionally dipping in the pool when the Mistral was not blowing, and chasing night markets that did not exist in Cucuron. Dindon Cris got a gold medal for shopping with JP on Saturday morning, and Fredo was nominated best child entertainer, bringing them back from Roussillon covered in colours. Valerie took on her natural role as lead organiser and Helene, Fred and I sometimes did what we were told. A fun break that passed all too quickly!
A moment of peace by the pool.
One of the many moments at the table!
The second group of poulettes squawked in St Medie, between Sisteron and Aix-en-Provence, for a full three days, occasionally dipping in the pool when the Mistral was not blowing, and chasing night markets that did not exist in Cucuron. Dindon Cris got a gold medal for shopping with JP on Saturday morning, and Fredo was nominated best child entertainer, bringing them back from Roussillon covered in colours. Valerie took on her natural role as lead organiser and Helene, Fred and I sometimes did what we were told. A fun break that passed all too quickly!
A moment of peace by the pool.
One of the many moments at the table!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
NURSES AND THE FULL MONTY: THE COMMON DENOMINATOR
You might remember our nurse friend from a post about biros on the 21st of April (and if you don't, you should check it out as it contains important medical information for anyone needing first aid). Anyhow, Giandomenico works in the emergencies unit of the Silvestrini Hospital in Perugia, a sprawling mass of concrete that is getting larger by the minute as it expands to accommodate and replace the old hospital in the centre of town. Yesterday, we nipped over to say hi, or so we thought before we got entangled in the biggest labyrinth (without hedges) that you have ever seen. All the doors that had a "please close" sign were open, all the main doors had no signs at all, and the only information point and reception area that we found was a wooden garden shed, brand-new and empty, sitting along the main road. And so to my point: do nurses use the info-shed to sneak away for a secret, guilt-free mars bar (whilst wearing clingfilm under their overall)?!? and what happens in an emergency?!
spot the shed...
You might remember our nurse friend from a post about biros on the 21st of April (and if you don't, you should check it out as it contains important medical information for anyone needing first aid). Anyhow, Giandomenico works in the emergencies unit of the Silvestrini Hospital in Perugia, a sprawling mass of concrete that is getting larger by the minute as it expands to accommodate and replace the old hospital in the centre of town. Yesterday, we nipped over to say hi, or so we thought before we got entangled in the biggest labyrinth (without hedges) that you have ever seen. All the doors that had a "please close" sign were open, all the main doors had no signs at all, and the only information point and reception area that we found was a wooden garden shed, brand-new and empty, sitting along the main road. And so to my point: do nurses use the info-shed to sneak away for a secret, guilt-free mars bar (whilst wearing clingfilm under their overall)?!? and what happens in an emergency?!
spot the shed...
Sunday, August 10, 2008
LOUNGING
and that is how we spend Sunday afternoons... a reminder for the winter months!
Casa Wieters, restored by Arch Marco Carlini www.studiocarlini.com, bought by me - ie, I had power of attorney for them, or whatever it is called ;)
and that is how we spend Sunday afternoons... a reminder for the winter months!
Casa Wieters, restored by Arch Marco Carlini www.studiocarlini.com, bought by me - ie, I had power of attorney for them, or whatever it is called ;)
Saturday, August 09, 2008
PASINIS MOVE OVER
For a full week, Jandro and his girls took over Petrignano's Spinalbeto Case Vacanze, visiting nearby water wholes, such as Camucia's Seven Point and Lake Trasimeno, before heading off to the seaside and a trip down memory lane at Bagno Mercuriali.
We pedaloed round Castiglione del Lago, stopping at Pepe Rosa for an ice cream on one day, and then, two days later, when the pain in our legs had faded, we went to Lido di Tuoro and narrowly avoided the ferry as we were making our way back from Isola Maggiore, where we stopped for another ice cream.
Who is addicted to ice and coke?!
The whole family gathered to spend an evening with us. Only Nicolo was out with his mates - to be expected at six years old!
The happy family took one more dip before it was time for some parmiggiano and Sagrantino di Montefalco, and a drive back down to Rome.
For a full week, Jandro and his girls took over Petrignano's Spinalbeto Case Vacanze, visiting nearby water wholes, such as Camucia's Seven Point and Lake Trasimeno, before heading off to the seaside and a trip down memory lane at Bagno Mercuriali.
We pedaloed round Castiglione del Lago, stopping at Pepe Rosa for an ice cream on one day, and then, two days later, when the pain in our legs had faded, we went to Lido di Tuoro and narrowly avoided the ferry as we were making our way back from Isola Maggiore, where we stopped for another ice cream.
Who is addicted to ice and coke?!
The whole family gathered to spend an evening with us. Only Nicolo was out with his mates - to be expected at six years old!
The happy family took one more dip before it was time for some parmiggiano and Sagrantino di Montefalco, and a drive back down to Rome.
Friday, August 08, 2008
NEW HOMES
or should I say a home, as opposed to the floor of the bathroom or the box near the lorry shed - shared with mum (Luna) and flanked by dad (Mister (Ringo) Star) - but still not particularly comfy.
Puciottina, who nearly got killed by the Alsacian planting its teeth into her head, went off to be pampered by Roberto and his dog-loving family. Her toe-biting, flip-flop-nibbling brother, Puciotto, took the place of a guard dog in Pozzuolo and cried his first night away (clearly no feet to graze on in the vicinity...). Hopefully they will both live happy lives.
Do you like my new shower mat?
My not-particularly-clean but super cheeky Puciotto.
or should I say a home, as opposed to the floor of the bathroom or the box near the lorry shed - shared with mum (Luna) and flanked by dad (Mister (Ringo) Star) - but still not particularly comfy.
Puciottina, who nearly got killed by the Alsacian planting its teeth into her head, went off to be pampered by Roberto and his dog-loving family. Her toe-biting, flip-flop-nibbling brother, Puciotto, took the place of a guard dog in Pozzuolo and cried his first night away (clearly no feet to graze on in the vicinity...). Hopefully they will both live happy lives.
Do you like my new shower mat?
My not-particularly-clean but super cheeky Puciotto.
Monday, July 21, 2008
LOVE BOAT
White cotton, polo shirts, flat shoes, a night on a boat... or so i thought... in Italy, when you spend Friday night sulla barca, you wear party gear, best frocks, 12inch heals. Checkout the pictures. And these girls even managed to dance all the way back - after the captain had said on Isola Polvese, during dinner, that after all the wine, we were all expected to wear our life jackets and sit still, he directed us back to the lake, put the music full blast, power full throttle, and stood on his driving stool to giggle his arms about! What a night!!
Nothing flat on the horizon.
Aperitivo on the boat, dinner on Isola Polvese.
Standing below the castle on the island.
The sunset on the way out. It was pitch black on the way back, so a good thing no one fell in :)
White cotton, polo shirts, flat shoes, a night on a boat... or so i thought... in Italy, when you spend Friday night sulla barca, you wear party gear, best frocks, 12inch heals. Checkout the pictures. And these girls even managed to dance all the way back - after the captain had said on Isola Polvese, during dinner, that after all the wine, we were all expected to wear our life jackets and sit still, he directed us back to the lake, put the music full blast, power full throttle, and stood on his driving stool to giggle his arms about! What a night!!
Nothing flat on the horizon.
Aperitivo on the boat, dinner on Isola Polvese.
Standing below the castle on the island.
The sunset on the way out. It was pitch black on the way back, so a good thing no one fell in :)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I MARRIED BENJI-BOODLES!!!!
By some miracle, the flight landed on time, the luggage appeared within 30 minutes, we found the car intact in the car park and no traffic on Rome's ring road, notwithstanding a total transport strike. So we belted it back up to CdL, threw ourselves in the shower, dashed into work, and split our separate ways. I went off to Gubbio to sort out the last details of Ben and Anna's wedding. And then, on the 9th of July, with all the paperwork finalised, I said "si" to Mr Albo, the Vice Sindaco of Gubbio, and so they tied the knot!
Piazza Grande, Gubbio, beautified by the newlyweds.
Before the parasol was whipped out, at the Convento Mincione, somewhere between Umbertide and Preggio.
It was the shoes that were the real attraction - Ashmore girls posing.
Redington clan giggled as the prosecco flowed.
A proud sister and mother sporting dramatic new hairdo!
By some miracle, the flight landed on time, the luggage appeared within 30 minutes, we found the car intact in the car park and no traffic on Rome's ring road, notwithstanding a total transport strike. So we belted it back up to CdL, threw ourselves in the shower, dashed into work, and split our separate ways. I went off to Gubbio to sort out the last details of Ben and Anna's wedding. And then, on the 9th of July, with all the paperwork finalised, I said "si" to Mr Albo, the Vice Sindaco of Gubbio, and so they tied the knot!
Piazza Grande, Gubbio, beautified by the newlyweds.
Before the parasol was whipped out, at the Convento Mincione, somewhere between Umbertide and Preggio.
It was the shoes that were the real attraction - Ashmore girls posing.
Redington clan giggled as the prosecco flowed.
A proud sister and mother sporting dramatic new hairdo!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
NO QUESTION, IT WAS A HOLIDAY
We started off in Nusa Dua at the Balidesa resort, splashing in the pool and drinking fruit juice. But we quickly left this non-Indonesian enclave, moving to Seminyak where we had many long long strolls on the super long beach, and a few flash backs as we wandered through Kuta.
Walking down memory lane, we moved up to Ubud. The geese were still in the football field.
This time round, we braved the roads and rented a scooter to explore the rice paddies...
and buy a Komodo Dragon and a couple of Indonesian ladies.
In the meantime, the workers in the hotel next to ours, shuffled around the scaffolding plastering the second level of a new building.
For our final day, we returned to Seminyak before flying home via KL, on Malaysian Airlines, the only company I know who offers beer on take off and makes you beg for water!
We started off in Nusa Dua at the Balidesa resort, splashing in the pool and drinking fruit juice. But we quickly left this non-Indonesian enclave, moving to Seminyak where we had many long long strolls on the super long beach, and a few flash backs as we wandered through Kuta.
Walking down memory lane, we moved up to Ubud. The geese were still in the football field.
This time round, we braved the roads and rented a scooter to explore the rice paddies...
and buy a Komodo Dragon and a couple of Indonesian ladies.
In the meantime, the workers in the hotel next to ours, shuffled around the scaffolding plastering the second level of a new building.
For our final day, we returned to Seminyak before flying home via KL, on Malaysian Airlines, the only company I know who offers beer on take off and makes you beg for water!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
TOURIST OR DELEGATE
A skilled chameleon, she made her way down to the beach, sidestepping past the many deckchairs and sunshades. Swiftly, she headed inland past the Club Med, all the way along the Westin’s pool, still in her tourist camouflage outfit. Did the real tourists bad an eyelid? The pool staff came up with a jug of water as she briefly reclined on a sun bed by the fountain. Finally, Cinderella at the ball, at the chime of ten, she crossed security, hid the shades, put the watch back on, slipped into the (John Travoltaesque white suit) jacket put on the high heels and dashed down the corridor to the contact group on technical matters of the Basel Convention. A true Swiss, she arrived before everyone else and even persuaded the staff she needed an extension cable for her laptop. Deep down in the conference bag, the ray bans waited for tomorrow.
A skilled chameleon, she made her way down to the beach, sidestepping past the many deckchairs and sunshades. Swiftly, she headed inland past the Club Med, all the way along the Westin’s pool, still in her tourist camouflage outfit. Did the real tourists bad an eyelid? The pool staff came up with a jug of water as she briefly reclined on a sun bed by the fountain. Finally, Cinderella at the ball, at the chime of ten, she crossed security, hid the shades, put the watch back on, slipped into the (John Travoltaesque white suit) jacket put on the high heels and dashed down the corridor to the contact group on technical matters of the Basel Convention. A true Swiss, she arrived before everyone else and even persuaded the staff she needed an extension cable for her laptop. Deep down in the conference bag, the ray bans waited for tomorrow.
Friday, June 13, 2008
FORZA AZZURRIIIIII!!!!
After Switzerland's sad defeat a couple of days ago, I am now bracing myself for tonight's Italy match. If they play like they did last time against the Dutch, I might contemplate giving up my passport ;)
In the interim, here is a picture of poppies. They are nearly all gone now as it rains cats and dogs and blows gales.
After Switzerland's sad defeat a couple of days ago, I am now bracing myself for tonight's Italy match. If they play like they did last time against the Dutch, I might contemplate giving up my passport ;)
In the interim, here is a picture of poppies. They are nearly all gone now as it rains cats and dogs and blows gales.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
A QUICK TRIP TO CENTRAL ITALY
Nancy thought she was going to sit back and relax when she came to visit us after the FAO conference on food security in Rome. Little did she know that as soon as she arrived on Sunday we had planned to whisk her to Cortona to meet Santa Margherita (according to the book, Margaret had actually had a child by her lover when she found him dead at the Pentimento in Petrignano where she repented before making her way from Laviano up to Cortona to live with St Francis and his mates in 1277!!).
On the Monday, Nancy braved the Castle walls in the morning and me in Montepulciano in the afternoon. Then she got a fair dose of calcio at the Pepe Rosa (where she repented for wearing orange -- yes, Holland thrashed Italy) and was in top form to go round Perugia on Tuesday and do a spot of gardening before leaving again on Wednesday lunchtime for a rest in Rome.
Nancy thought she was going to sit back and relax when she came to visit us after the FAO conference on food security in Rome. Little did she know that as soon as she arrived on Sunday we had planned to whisk her to Cortona to meet Santa Margherita (according to the book, Margaret had actually had a child by her lover when she found him dead at the Pentimento in Petrignano where she repented before making her way from Laviano up to Cortona to live with St Francis and his mates in 1277!!).
On the Monday, Nancy braved the Castle walls in the morning and me in Montepulciano in the afternoon. Then she got a fair dose of calcio at the Pepe Rosa (where she repented for wearing orange -- yes, Holland thrashed Italy) and was in top form to go round Perugia on Tuesday and do a spot of gardening before leaving again on Wednesday lunchtime for a rest in Rome.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
A POLLINATOR AND MANY DELEGATES
CBD COP9 - where next?
Mega team, shame about the waitress' photo-taking skills, but with the noise we were making, she probably did it on purpose :)
And so it was that we returned victorious from Bonn, clutching high-seas protected area criteria in one hand and a near moratorium on ocean fertilization on the other. But I pause to wonder, does the outside world really get in-situ fertilization of the seas?? or should all this jargon be translated into basics abc language?
And this is where I can tell that it has not been long enough from getting back (traumatic trip home, with delays, missed flights, departing buses, traffic jams and many mad rushes) to write a decent blog, so you will have to excuse me!
Will try again soon. Promise.
CBD COP9 - where next?
Mega team, shame about the waitress' photo-taking skills, but with the noise we were making, she probably did it on purpose :)
And so it was that we returned victorious from Bonn, clutching high-seas protected area criteria in one hand and a near moratorium on ocean fertilization on the other. But I pause to wonder, does the outside world really get in-situ fertilization of the seas?? or should all this jargon be translated into basics abc language?
And this is where I can tell that it has not been long enough from getting back (traumatic trip home, with delays, missed flights, departing buses, traffic jams and many mad rushes) to write a decent blog, so you will have to excuse me!
Will try again soon. Promise.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
ITALIAN IN BONN
and i don't mean me! i mean the restaurants. bella pizza, who does not adore a good piatto di pasta. and so it was that i was privileged to find that expat italians produce better pizza's than most of the places i have eaten at recently!
Pui, Ash (posing) and moi (with super sleek hair) at Pinocchio's
and i don't mean me! i mean the restaurants. bella pizza, who does not adore a good piatto di pasta. and so it was that i was privileged to find that expat italians produce better pizza's than most of the places i have eaten at recently!
Pui, Ash (posing) and moi (with super sleek hair) at Pinocchio's
Saturday, April 26, 2008
MUTANDE & GNOCCHI
Les de la Masa sont arrives a temps pour la premiere manifestation du weekend a l aeroport de Castiglione del Lago, ou nous avons pu principalement admirer les pilotes d'helicopteres (mais oui les poulettes, y'avait du gigot!!) et les gros slibards en coton (photo specialement pour la Fred :).
Que dire? Boulette dans le formatage des photos, mais tout de meme de tres beau specimenes!
Premier plan: a eviter.
Deuxieme plan: a rechercher. (Doud et Ainhoa: quelle merveilleuse excuse?!)
Les de la Masa sont arrives a temps pour la premiere manifestation du weekend a l aeroport de Castiglione del Lago, ou nous avons pu principalement admirer les pilotes d'helicopteres (mais oui les poulettes, y'avait du gigot!!) et les gros slibards en coton (photo specialement pour la Fred :).
Que dire? Boulette dans le formatage des photos, mais tout de meme de tres beau specimenes!
Premier plan: a eviter.
Deuxieme plan: a rechercher. (Doud et Ainhoa: quelle merveilleuse excuse?!)