1181 Just joined the forum

Hi Rainbow and welcome.

I really admire those of you who tirelessly look after the elderly and sometimes it can be a thankless task. You can now have another escape release from time to time through this wonderful forum. Is it not possible to ask another relative to step in from time to time or arrange respite care even if its for a long weekend and try to escapte to Italy. Even for a short time you will simply LOVE IT!

:) Welcome to the forum...learning the language is a brilliant start and you will find lots of useful info on the Forum .The magazine is brilliant isn't it ? As Paula says ..if ever you can get away for a few days, there are really cheap flights with Ryanair to many parts of Italy now from London Stanstead which isn't too far from West Midlands.
Well done for being a carer and hope you enjoy the Forum :)

My mate even took his Mum for a day trip to Venice - long day tho! Ryanair

[QUOTE=alex and lyn]:) ..if ever you can get away for a few days, there are really cheap flights with Ryanair to many parts of Italy now from London Stanstead which isn't too far from West Midlands.[/QUOTE]

Luton is probably a better bet than Stansted from the West Midlands [its a shame that bmi baby dropped their Italy flights from East Midlands airport].

Luton is closer/easier by road and if you travel by train you can catch a Virgin bus service direct to the airport from Milton Keynes station

We are going Luton to Turin in January for just under £45 return each, there are also flights to Milan etc

Also - my wife and daughter are flying out from Birmingham to Milan Malpensa in October with BA - cost about £120 each [but is more convenient for us.]

How mobile is your relative? 2 year ago we took my wife's mother [aged 90 and walked with a stick, also poor eyesight etc] over for a week - she had the time of her life - it just took a bit longer to do anything. We are considering taking her again next year [this time with a 'wheeled walking frame' rather than a stick].

We found that in Italy people make a special effort for the elderly, the airport staff were fantastic in dealing with her - first through check-in, special transport to plane etc. Restaurants and shop staff were great - best service we have ever had

I'd have few qualms about taking her again [apart from the fact that she is my mother-in-law]

By the way - once told a Mother-in-Law joke to an Italian neighbour - went down like a lead balloon - must be just a British thing]

Thank you for the welcome.

It is quite demanding to care for someone 365 days of the year, but it is rewarding too. I never thought of a long weekend; perhaps that is something that I can aim at. Thank you for the suggestion.

The day out in Venice sounds really tiring. I could imagine what I would feel like the following day :).

Does Italy share the same time as we do? It would be a lot easier if it did.

Anyone, thanks again for the replies, and I will go and have a look at what the rest of the forum offers.

Rainbow.

Italy is on CET, that is, 1 hour ahead of GB., you would be naturally quite tired the day after a day trip, BUT, ohh, the next few weeks, the memories... :)

I must have been posting at the same time as Alan. Your comments were interesting. If I could get a flight from Birmingham it would be marvelous. I care for my mother, who so wants to go on holiday, but is so sick I am not sure that she would cope. It's difficult to decide isn't it?

I must say that the £45.00 for a return flight sounds very attractive. As I have never flown anywhere in my life I will have to figure out how you go about booking flights etc.

Thank you for the info'.

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Rainbow.
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One hour difference doesn't sound too bad.

I agree with you about the memories, it would be great wouldn't it?

As an aside, my friend goes to Venice often and he always complains about the hotels that he stays in, particularly the method of buying breakfast. He says that he is given some sort of a voucher that he can use at a cafe (or something, I couldn't quite understand it) but all it buys for him is a cup of coffee and a role. I was thinking that if you went for a day, at least you could get some proper breakfast the next morning :)

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Rainbow.
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When in Venice.... That IS a proper breakfast over here, I'll bet he NEVER complains about the evening meals, you have to remember, you aren't in England, thats why people travel, to experience different cultures (then, at least if you come from an English speaking country, go home and complain !!)

That's a very good point George. You're right about the evening meals too, he certainly never complains about those. At least I can have a taste of good Italian cooking as there are a few Italian restaurants in the city centre where I live and the cooking is marvelous.

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Raiinbow.
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