Amaretto's activity

We had a look at this in the uk, think we found someone who sells the kits to convert the bike to a small engine after a bit of googling but came to the conclusion it looked bloomin lethal. Push bikes arn't designed to do 30mph surely, coming off a bike at speed or going round a corner and meeting a flock of sheep scares me - would love to know if anyone has experience of trying to do this - cost wise its hugely tempting. Think leccy bikes prob better option than the attach a wee petrol engine idea. V excited here, we leave UK tomorrow morn for new life in Marche. :-) Am  

I have a feeling they are - if you need longer cover and are not 50 I think ecar also allow trips up to 365 days... Am

Don't think paint is 'officially' allowed (though we have put base paint tints in our luggage in the past and got away with it but may have been a bit naughty) and not sure aerosols great in non pressurised environments but cant remember ever being told not to take hairspray or anti perspirant. Hmmm Best not probs.. Am

Al your ensuite cat box sounds fantastic and probably the best possible solution. We just won't have room for something as luxurious as that unfortunately so I think the hotel room is prob our best bet, at least he can get out to use the litter tray and we'll be with him. I suspect he will yowl all the way to Italy, he's extremely vocal on a trip to the local vet. Cedric you need to plan a couple of months in advance - they need a pet passport which involves a microchip, a rabies vaccination, a blood test to prove the vaccination has worked taken about 3-4 weeks after the jab and then they can travel. Cost at our vet was about £250. ouch. He's a very old chap but the vet says he is fine to make the trip and leaving him behind (or worse) is just unthinkable. I hope he'll have a few happy years chasing lizards in the sunshine. The vet advised against sedation cos he's so old but we are trying some stuff called feliway that you spray in the box which is supposed to make them calmer - its all in the pheromones apparantly. In fact I may spray the whole car in the hope it works on humans too! I'll let you know how we get on. Am

Thanks Terry, a nice steak sounds just what we'll need - I have mailed them - from their website they seem to be ok with the cat too. Cheers Am

Dylano, might be worth looking at flights from E mids - they have reinstated the Venice Treviso and Rimini routes (Rimini summer only) and at the moment some of them are cheap as chips. You can get the train from Venice or pick up a car there and drive down to Marche - also great excuse to have a night in Venice.. I booked 5 return August flights for £220 on Friday. Huge bargain for school hols.   Am

ShaunT We are looking at using these guys  to bring a load from Derbyshire to Marche in April - reckon its cheaper than hiring a van if you have to bring van back to Uk. Worth a call at any rate. http://www.ital-logistics.com/index.php Am x

Thats really useful - thanks sprostoni, they sound ideal if we can get em - we're not in Monte - we're on a white rd that goes from Penna (the one with the rubbish tip) up to San Venanzo and on to MSM. There used to be a phone line but now they say we need new fibre optic cabling and its not going to happen. I think the cemetery is the other side of Monte towards the coast - is that right? Am hoping we may be in a sight line from Penna. Will get on to em. Fingers x'd, otherwise will investigate the boosters.   Cheers all Am    

Check out laymyhat.com for loads of advice and opinions on all the various listings sites available. Its a goldmine of info. Am

Many thanks! That sounds ideal..