Andrew's activity

Truth is we actually did have their meat on the menu; we also had 'daino', after which; on the way home; Jean excaimed: "I've just eaten Bambi!"

We ate porcupine in a trattoria near Colleferro (Rome) once, although our host told us it was illegal. The meat was very dark, a bit tough but we didn't need to ask for a toothpick....

Our local Indian-owned and run Pizzeria - SonAmour in Pagliare del Tronto - continues to offer Indian Night every Tuesday as long as you book and they have 6 clients or more. (e.g. if there's only 2 of you, and 4 others book, then that satisfies the criteria. If you're stuck making up numbers then Jean and I are always up for an Indian...) Recently he's majoring on an Indian fish-based menu. We haven't tried this variation yet, but the previous times we have been we've been more than happy, with great food and plenty of it.... Generally they specialize in tastes of all sorts of things rather than a main curry etc., so there's lots of little dishes (obviously with little fishes when the boat comes in), so it just tends to keep coming...

I doubt very much that Rugby will ever become as popular as it is in UK, for a variety of reasons. The fact that the is little or no school sport in Italy means that nearly all sport is delivered to the community by voluntary clubs, and the competition for playing members between various sporting disciplines is rife. Many parents (particularly protective mums but also dads) often confuse Rugby with American Football, portrayed often as a collision sport and therefore potentially dangerous. The Italian Rugby Union (Federazione Italiana Rugby) only promote contact Rugby, and 'softer' versions such as Tag Rugby or Touch Rugby are frowned upon. This means that it's either full on or nothing. Therefore clubs desiring to promote the game even in elementary schools teach contact Rugby. Given that very few schools have sports facilities, or at best a gym, contact rugby in a gym? Most of these gymnasiums are also badly designed, and would not pass UK standard Health and Safety minimum requirements. F.I.R. offer little or no support to clubs wishing to develop the community game, have no resources to offer, and all Club development even at grass roots is generally self funding. Traditionally Clubs try to recruit large often obese children to fill their junior sections. F.I.R. some years ago imposed a 'Stature Project', defining minimum height and weight for young players wishing to enter the representative pathway. This project would have excluded Shane Williams, Diego Dominguez and many other top class players (had they instead been Italian) because they were too small! So, no wonder the majority of the national team either play their rugby abroad, or come from overseas (mainly Argentina). Not one member of the Italian squad is coached at his club by an Italian coach! I rest my case....

Agreed; great weekend; 3 in a row - firstly; Italy with some good friends and ex-players of mine in the team (and my lad Andrea Masi getting Man of the Match); secondly Teramo Under 20 (my boys) beating Primavera Roma Under 20 (containing some 'B' division players who didn't have a match) and the ugly but a win is a win England result (some England players coming through the RFU development system of which I'm proud to have been a part of). Certainly not going to be easy next weekend in Ireland. Let's hope the lessons learned against Scotland are put to good use.

Hi; We're well, although we had to remove 3 to 4 inches of water from the garage as it's below ground level; we're better off than some poor souls particularly in the Fermo area, where sadly there have been 2 deaths caused directly by the floods. In Ascoli there's plenty of problems, and in fact another death reported there. The local and coastal situation can be followed at www.picenooggi.it . At the moment (Thursday 15;00) we have light drizzle, that is in fact helping clean up the Salaria, which has suffered from mud slides, some of which have made driving difficult.

There's a couple of English guys over here who are skilled builders and carpenters, and generally they will undercut most if not all Italian craftsmen. One lives in Force, the other Montappone. If you want further info on these guys send me a PM.

Hi Adriatica; I'm coaching Teramo Rugby (at the old Communal Stadium), and often find myself in Teramo kicking my heels between one session and another. If you're around in town let's catch up for a coffee! 338 2105315 Andrew

You can buy al the professional looking tools that you need at Brico at Citta delle Stelle near Castel di Lama; Big Store (Catering Suppliers but open to the public) on the national road between San Benedetto del Tronto and Grottammare, although I'm also sure that you'll find all you need at the Brico at Alba Adriatica.

Sprouts at Lidl too! We had some this week; very nice too, although the usual effects, still, this year there's just the 2 of us, so anti-social veg. is not too much of a hassle! Merry Christmas!