alan h's activity

Why not build you own - to see whether they are effective? http://www.diyhappy.com/quick-and-dirty-mosquito-trap/

There is time to pick up some of the language - I'd suggest the Michel Thomas CDs [you can usually get them on eBay for about £30 on the 'Buy Now' system] Its suprising what you can pick up from the CDs, just listening in the car or at home. Good Luck

the 'map of user location' [terrible title] shows some people in your area http://www.italymag.co.uk/community/map/user You could try a PM to them

"our contract is for two years and then we will probably return to the UK. " - I wouldn't bother for two years. "My husband would like to buy a car here for work as hire costs are extortionate - is it right that you have to be resident to buy an Italian car?  Is there any way around this?  I have a UK car which we bought over.  Unless I become resident and nationlise my car here, I think I have to bring it back to the UK before the end of the year for it's MOT?" - just buy a newish car next time your in UK - then no MOT required until you return to UK - and as you have a UK address , you can get uk based car insurance that covers being abroad all the time

"This has always been the case. The notary will not permit a non-Italian speaking person to sign a contract in Italian." Not when I bought mine about 8 years ago - at least, not for my purchase [perhaps its one of those Italian laws that's ignored more than adhered to]

http://www.treehelp.com/trees/oak/species-oak-iandd.asp

Unfortunately it is American - but some good info anyway   http://swimming.about.com/cs/poolmaintenance/

http://www.linklavoro.it/generatore_codice_fiscale.asp

I've had good experiences with geometras, picking them by local recommendation.  They are good 'hands-on' people, who [in my opinion] know what they are talking about I trained as a Civil Engineer, [back in the last Millenium], and I believe what you are looking at is non-structural  [ie - if the render fell of, the building would remain standing and you could just re-render it].  In which case, and experienced local geometra could easily look at it and say the render is OK. If you are worried about what is under the render, then its a different matter - you'd possibly need an Engineer to strip the render off to do a survey - but I don't think that's what you need [you say there isn't any cracking in the wall]  Anyway, I would expect the Geometra to pick up the need for any such intrusive survey.  If he recommends such a survey - I would walk away from the house

Here in the UK many of us can't wait for it to end!   If World War 3 broke out - it might just make the last 5 minutes of the News programmes   All there is to look forward to [whoever gets in] is cuts and raised taxes - Wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!