Make a wish

While we were in Italy Mr FF started to landscape the approach to the back door of our house.  Originally there was a very steep drive from the road to a garage but it was practically impossible to access so a while back we took off the heavy old garage door and replaced it with a pass door, window and some new block work, very smart. Over the years the old drive had broken down and the parking area was rough and uneven, in fact one group of paying guests mentioned that they had never managed to get more than three of their hire car wheels on the ground at the same time.

So the plan is to have a flat parking area off the road, that will eventually be paved, a flight of steps down to another flat area at the back door and retaining walls to create interesting places where I can display pots of plants.

Mr FF made good progress though we will have to finish off when we go back to Italy in spring.

However, just off the road and on our drive was a manhole cover placed at a steep angle, this has to remain as it gives access to power cables so Mr FF gave some thought to the problem. Eventually he made a design decision to raise the level of the cover and build up a wall round the manhole to match the garden wall which would also help prevent water from the road running down our steps.   I wasn't too keen on this idea, even less so as it started to develop until eventually I realised he was in fact building a wishing well or pozzo dei desideri as we say in Lazio.

I suggested he makes a little wooden roof complete with a bucket on a rope and winding handle, that didn't go down too well (pun intended).  Wonder how he feels about a few plastic gnomes, perhaps with fishing rods.  

Not cut out to be a nomad

I've been away a while for various reasons and as usual pure idleness figures highly but here I am all set to tap away on the new computer now that Mr FF has finally let me have the password.
I'm in a funny state of mind, not sad exactly just wondering who I am and where I belong at the moment.  We had to go down to Yorkshire this week for a family funeral, my cousin's husband died suddenly.  Being in the village where I went to school, with people I've known all my life and who are still in the same place really got me thinking.  Mr FF and I have moved around since we were married 42 years ago, we've had 7 houses and for the last 24 years have lived in Scotland.  My recently bereaved cousin lives in the village where she was born and has only ever in her whole life lived in two houses both in the same road.  She is now back in the albeit revamped house where she was born.  My brother also lives in the house where he and I were born and his two daughters and two granddaughters are not far away. 
Back in Scotland I also attended this week a memorial lunch for a dear friend's Mum who died recently at the grand old age of 95.  The lunch was to celebrate her life at one of her favourite restaurants, attended by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildred, plus old friends and neighbours and the extended family of which I am proud to be a member.  It was a positive uplifting event, with many photos of Betty's life and a humour filled speech from her grandson.  Betty had moved round too, from Scotland to England and back again but was fortunate that her family seemed to follow her and she ended her days living close to them.  
However, it all got me thinking.  I love being in Italy with all our friends in the village, I love my house and garden in Scotland and all the friends I've made here but I still call Yorkshire home and its calling me.   Maybe I just want the best of everything, the sunny Italy life style, my comfy Scottish house and to be surrounded by everyone I care for.  Maybe its because we are thinking of downsizing and don't know where to that is disconcerting me, maybe its just old age.
I hope you are feeling a bit more grounded and enjoy your weekend, which for us is forecast to be chilly.

And finally I have managed to upload a photograph, view from the family room.  Not easy working with a new computer system, new is certainly not better, I definitely need some fresh air.  Back soon.

Happy Christmas

My lovely card from Colin and Katrina in New Zealand, says it all, thank you both.

We have a partially functioning very old computer, at last I can type properly and upload photos but not edit them so apologies for the poor quality.

Have a wonderful Christmas

All is calm

Still no proper computer, the local IT man couldn't fix ours so Mr FF is doing extensive investigation and there are lots of pieces from the machine on his desk. I am a bit fed up that I'm neglecting my blog and my friends, normal service will be resumed eventually so please hang on.
Meantime we've been down to Yorkshire on a Santa run and the heating is fixed.  This did involve three attempts to get under the floor boards and taking up the hall carpet that was only fitted, beautifully last year.  So Mr FF, never knowingly defeated, has sourced one of those kicker things and hopes to have the carpet reinstated for Christmas.
Speaking of which, I have made the usual half hearted effort for the festive period.    We have abandoned our usual £5 stockings and decided not to give each other presents at all.   I sent a cheque to charity and feel quite sanctimonious, also relieved not to have to traipse round the shops or add more items to our household.
We have two large steaks for Christmas dinner, cake, chocolates and drink, I hope you have enough too.

I'm doing my best

Still no heating in the bedrooms

The home computer is broken and I need to write so many letters

We have no Sellotape

Apparently I can't get an appointment at my hairdressers until after the New Year.  In Italy I visited the barber in the village where Mr FF goes.  Andrea only offers two styles, as evidenced by the male population, but I was able to get him to give me a version of the not too short one. That was weeks ago and I definitely need attention, why does everyone suddenly need a haircut.

Mr FF is on the case for the second and third problems, meantime until I can get him to crawl under the floor boards our new all British wool duvet is keeping us cosy.  If I can't get my hair cut I'll be staying in bed till January.

Home at last

We had what Mr FF would call a picturesque drive back from Italy, lots of snow on the alps but fortunately none on the roads, more snow and freezing temperatures in France, blizzards over Bowes Moor on the A66.  Finally we arrived home to discover our driveway covered in sheet ice, several attempts to get the car up, then we could barely climb the steps to the front door.  As I said picturesque.
Our stop overs were perfect, one night in a modern efficient Novotel outside Milan, one in a delightful French B&B, two nights in Yorkshire with my brother where we met our new grand niece and sister for Amelia, Esme Sophia arrived while we were away and is now 3 weeks old. 
The enthusiasm to be back didn't last long,  we both have colds, haven't had one of those for ages, feeling drained and lethargic.   The central heating isn't working in the bedrooms, which isn't a major problem but means Mr FF is going to have to go under the floorboards at some stage to check things. 
Then there's the small matter of Christmas.  I have told my family they will all get an Italian lucky bag this year, odds and sods I've picked up for them.  I'm also rootling through cupboards for anything to add, I just can't face going to the shops though I will have to go out soon as we don't have much food in the house.  Today knitting in front of the fire calls, though I must catch up with all your blogs so please don't be posting about how organised you are for the festive period it will only depress me.

Proper photos etc later in the week meantime I hope this one makes you feel warm, enjoy your Sunday.

Good morning

from Milan.  Big day of travel today, those bloomin Alps.  From our comfy hotel we are surrounded by mountains and most of them are white.  Hopefully we will be in France tonight and through the tunnel on Tuesday.  Driving home for Christmas indeed.