Andrew's activity

 near the junction of the Castel di Lama turning from the Ascoli / Mare superstrada; heading towards Castel di Lama / Lidl / Citta delle Stelle; there's EcoService Garden Centre, where there's a good range of everything etc. Also on the Salaria almost at the junction Salaria / SS16 (Porto d'Ascoli) there's a mega Garden Centre on the right heading coastwards. If you decide to visit either; we will generally have the kettle on, and you're welcome to drop in

 Often you may encounter a stumbling block when you need an English speaking service of various sorts, particularly when the requirement is very specific. I have no financial or other interest, but would like to share the notice that at the opticians in Citta delle Stelle at Castel di Lama we've found a delightful assistant who speaks excellent English. Visit 'Salmoiraghi & Vigano' in the shopping centre, and ask for Rosa. If you require more detailed attention, then together with Rosa, Joseph (qualified optician with English father) combine superbly to solve your every need. Andrew

 It may be advisable to check the legality of posting medicines before undertaking this task

 I think the big giveaway for the French is the striped T shirt, beret, string of onions around the neck, plus an increase in bicycles in the car park, and general odour of Galloise. The Italians however instantly recognisable due to the constant air of frustration that they have to queue along with the lesser mortals, when they should have priority because they have to get home and prepare everything for their families, however; when they actually aline with the cashout operator, the rest of the world disolves into oblivion, and they don't actually pack their purchases; instead just let them pile up whilst discussing the festive season with the operator, and also because unlike us mere humans they have parked their car in the disabled space or actually on the pavement entrance to the supermarket. Why? Because they have.  No problems here however as the armed security guards are too busy collecting the plastic baskets, and couldn't go outside anyway, as due to the extreme cold (here 15 degrees) by the time they have wrapped up warm enough (as mother insists) the shopping centre will be closed. They may however brave the winter chill to move the sign so that the kind coloured lads can get a better selling opportunity for their pirate CDs whilst actually leaning on the sign that warns people not to buy from them. Jenta; obviously all this 'tongue in cheek', we wouldn't live anywhere else, and actually are never so stressed as to become irritated by the above mentioned issues. We instead find them very amusing, after all; as we say; if it wasn't like this, it wouldn't be Italy. Buon Anno

 When we first arrived in this area (Ascoli Piceno) we got hold of a map of the area with good detail (often free from Tourist Info). We then set about discovering which days the local markets were held. These are often a true reflection of local Italian life (maybe less the Oriental stall holders - with all due respect) and wandering around the markets often helps you to integrate, maybe not in the sense of language, but at least helping to get to know your area. The bolder stall holders; wanting to sell; will often recognise that you're not Italian, and will call out to you in their 'school' English. Good for an exchange of smiles if nothing else. This 'ice breaker' is also useful when you realise that the market is generally a 'moving feast' with the same stall holders appearing at different local markets. Seeing the same stall holder at a different market often encourages that smile again. Using our map we also began to check off villages that we had visited, and have become very aware that we don't have to travel far to find some hill top jewel that makes you feel like you're stepping back in time. We also became rather bold in our approach to recognising the non-Italians in our local supermarket. If you wander near those that you suspect of being English (sometimes we do stand out in a crowd) you can then 'earwig' and work out the language of their conversations etc. I usually open with the line "it's like Tesco's isn't it"...) to break the ice. I've also however had some very blank looks from Germans and Danes etc. Generally the English shoppers have a neat list and carry a pen/pencil to cross out their purchases.

 Hi Tess; it's sad to read that you feel isolated, and if you can get on to Skype or similar it would be nice to have a chat. You feeling of isolation is difficult to deal with, as communication is one of the main ways out of that. Maybe by creating and documenting some small projects you will also have some attainable targets to work towards; personally I think a few small goals to achieve would be better than one distant target, and would bring you satisfaction quicker. Example; Get hold of some Post It notes, if not, paper and sellotape. Find out the Italian words for as many items in your house as you can (fridge, washer, window etc) Place these labels on the items, and make a rule between yourselves that you can only use the Italian word. Occasionally, for a bit of fun; mix then up, and then challenge your daughter to put them right as soon as she can. Try to extend the range of words as you see fit. Create role play; tell your daughter that she's your teacher and you are the pupil. Go to the (imaginary) Post Office; Bank, fruit and veg shop or similar. Start with just nouns. Apple, pear, potato etc. Start to create lists to go 'shopping' with. Zone your property. In certain areas you and your daughter must do certain things; i.e. zone A - only speak in Italian. Zone B - only sing to each other. Zone C - only mime, Zone D - in your english dialect, Zone E - always sit on the floor to speak etc. I'm just running these ideas off the top of my head, but the limit can be only your imagination. Andrew

 Ryanair annuncia la chiusura temporanea delle rotte domestiche da 10 basi italiane. As far as I can gather; this only applies to internal domestic flights, but will have some knock on effects for people travelling with Ryanair within Italy. Ryanair, la compagnia aerea preferita in Italia, oggi (23dicembre) ha annunciato che cesserà di operare temporaneamente le rotte domestiche da /per le 10 basi italiane, Alghero, Bari, Bologna, Brindisi, Cagliari, Milano (Bergamo), Pescara, Pisa, Roma (Ciampino) e Trapani, a partire da sabato 23 gennaio 2010, in seguito all’ingiunzione sollevata da Ryanair contro le ordinanze dell’ENAC (Ref No. 26/2009 e 79320/DIRGEN/DG), che obbligano Ryanair ad accettare svariate e non sicure forme di identificazione per i passeggeri che viaggiano sulle rotte domestiche di Ryanair, anche se questi documenti di identità sono costituiti da niente più che licenze di pesca.   Ryanair have announced today (23 Dicember) that they will temporarily cease their domestic routes to and from their Italian bases at Alghero, Bari, Bologna, Brindisi, Cagliari, Milano (Bergamo), Pescara, Pisa, Roma (Ciampino) and Trapani, with effect from saturday 23 January 2010. It appears that they have taken this decision after a disagreement regards valid identity documents.

 Ice rink in Ascoli Piceno; plus a variety of events in the various theatres. In Communanza there's a live Presepe I think on the 26th. For a great night out; New Year's Eve dinner at Locanda degli Amici in Colli del Tronto sounds good; mega dinner with Kareoke (with visiting English performers) and other live entertainment.

 Hi Penny; count us in... Andrew & Jean

If you need a flipchart but only temporarily I have a spare that you're welcome to use if you can collect. We live near Ascoli Piceno.