9262 First Timers And Vespas

I want to say thank you to those who recommended lighting shops for us to use in and around Lucca. We have just returned and were very successful. We tried all the places suggested and purchased the lamp we wanted and a lovely red leather chair. I am now in a position to make suggestions for any who may be interested. For those needing lampshades, I can highly recommend Paraluma in St. Anna, outside Lucca - amazing value for money and beautiful shades in any shape, colour or size - she made ours literally in a few hours, nothing was too much trouble.

Purchasing a property in Italy was not that easy, but it was certainly been helped by this forum and with the help of our friend Liala (Tuscan Villas) - the after sales service has been superior. They offered a set fee for the purchase of our place as well as post sales work. We are only just realising the benefits of this - from finding an ironmonger to buying a Vespa, registereing it and getting insurance - an incredibly good package - for post-sales. Liala speaks fluent Italian and English and has her own property, has done it up and she knows exactly what those who are buying overseas are going though. She even helped us find a local gentleman to rent a garage off to house our scooter. Our two daughters are going to stay there separately within the next few months and I can rest assured knowing that they have someone whom they can contact should they need to - invaluable.

We are so looking forward to going back in July to see the success of the plants we bedded for the summer and to smell the clear air up in the hills of Appuanes. We also need to learn to negotiate the motorised tractor up the mediaval slopes of the village - no mean feat - those will have done it will destify!