alan h's activity

Google gives details of firms that do this.

But what happens if you have an overnight stay in France on the way back?  

Think that might not be "travelling through "

Clueless in Italy.

The problem I foresee is the test requirements before you get back into the UK.   Current understanding of the rules for Green countries, (and Italy and France will probably be the stricter Amber rating), is:-

"People arriving in the UK from "green list" countries will need to take a pre-departure test in that country"

That obviously means getting a re-entry test in France  because you will be entering UK from there.  A recipe for disaster and bankruptcy if its anything like the charges Calais vets levied for giving required treatment to dogs returning to UK.

I just worry that driving back will be so fraught with unknowns.

I think your problem on deciding what the going rate is,  is that you are not there to haggle the price down.

Is there anyone local that could do some "asking around" for you?

Good luck 

Are you paying cash  or doing it by receipts and cheques?

(The black economy is alive and kicking in Italy.   Saving of about 20%-40%)

If all else fails, you could email the Comune (email address on its website) .

I'd do a very simple email in English/American can with no flowery prose - just very basic.  I'd then add the translation into Italian (Google translate) and send it to the Comune. 

You'll probably get a response - usually in Italian, but Google translate will translate back OK. 

If you're lucky,  you'll get a response from an English speaker.

I use the above process when talking to my Italian bank. The only thing I do is split the email into single sentences, with it's translation below it.

Good luck 

Can your Caretaker recommend replacement? I'd expect him to have someone in mind. 

Not sure what you are asking.

Setting up the Direct Debits  is a simple form filling exercise.  So that sorts out gas, water and electricity Bill's.

Don't have internet connection in Italy- just needed an email address for the bank, to send scanned,, signed documents to, from UK.

You can, of course, go the whole hog and get an on-line Italian bank account.  It may be a bit cheaper.

We set up an italian bank account when we were over getting the keys to our house, a few years ago - the estate agent helped us set it up.

All our Utility Bill's are paid by direct debit, and the bank pays the IMU etc Bill's from the Comune - the Comune sends us the Bill's by email, and we send a scanned/signed copy to the bank   for them to pay.

We top the account up when we are in Italy by cash, but can also top up by bank transfer from my UK bank.  Just get your bank to send regular statements to you in the UK, either by post or email.  You can also set the account to be 'On Line", but we haven't bothered with that.

We use Groupama for house insurance .  They bill us by email, and we pay by bank transfer.

Have  you looked at:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-horses-and-ponies-special-rules#exporting-or-moving-equines-from-great-britain-gb-to-the-eu-or-ni