Mandevilla are those nice red climbers that are appearing all over the place in markets etc now and I did very well with two of them last year.
elliven's activity
Questions Asked
If you have property in UK you might contemplate redirecting your mail to Italy during your sojourn. Please be aware that the mail people, despite you paying quite a lot of money might mistakenly send your mail from your bank back to the bank.
Tue, 02/21/2012 - 18:06
We have a number of external walls about a metre high, cement rendered on both sides and made of tufo blocks. Sadly the rendering keeps getting spalled off after the winter due to, I think water in the walls freezing and expanding.
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 16:15
Birmingham UK area with 95% dead yuccas this spring plus lots of ceanothus dead and indeed anything a bit tender, however I was not expecting more or less similar here in Lazio, the main victims seem to have been date palms , even well-established
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 15:54
Looking at a courtyard in Umbria I saw a tradescanthia plant, the one sometimes non-pc called wandering Jew. Got hold of a couple and potted up on my terrace in Lazio and lo and behold they thrive mightily.
Tue, 08/03/2010 - 17:32
Could any one with their finger on the pulse of the Italian economy please tell me why large petrol stations are springing up all over the countryside.
Sun, 05/09/2010 - 18:55
For the tech experts - can I use a UK gas oven in Italy attached to a supply from one of those big cylinders in the garden? I am thinking of bringing one out. In anticipation - thanks.
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 19:00
Rejoice with me for at last ENEL have recognised that I AM resident and therefore qualify for a lower tariff and wait for this ... they have back-dated my benefits to the initial application about three years ago! Oh joy!.
Wed, 01/13/2010 - 18:58
Great geraniums this year until visited by small brown butterflies - result flower heads dying followed by miserable appearance of whole plant.
Sun, 09/06/2009 - 17:53
I think I am posting correctly under the new system - however having started I will finish - I have a beautiful house for sale in a brilliant , for me at any rate location in a rural area with everything a UK buyer in to the Italian life could wis
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 16:59
Comments posted
Actually I find having residency rather nice as producing your carta d'identita occasionally is quite satisfying and being as one with your neighbours down to paying for your rubbish removal is part of my communal responsibility. There are of course other legal thingys which are nice to have. As for residing for 6 months minimum nobody seems to check. However after residing here for 7 years we had a visit from 2 nice carabinieri blokes to check our documents (carte) and we had to show proof we were paying our electricity bills. They then departed declaring everything to be perfetto.
We get fireflies each year about this time but you must have a warm, humid, still evening and then every hedgerow will will glitter - lovely sight! Have never seen a glow worm tho' , do they exist in Italy?
If you have a free to air satellite set-up then I believe it will be on BBC world news. Incidentally All Saints Rome chaplain Jonathan Boardman will be commenting on the liturgical aspects of the wedding for TG1, not many people know that!
Or at least not much they don't. The holes in your garden are those of voles - like a mouse but short tailed. A lizard will quite happily use a vole hole or indeed any cavity. Like you I have noticed a healthy lizard population this year which may be explained by the lack of feral cats this year, yes I have seen a moggy with a lizard in her mouth!
Do not build a wall from tufo if it is to be faced in any way as the bloomin stuff absorbs water like blotting paper and then water freezes and off comes your rendering. Cement blocks are better.
Do prevent your dog from snuffling around after these critters as they will he up with very nasty quills in the face. I have seen this and goodness knows how you get them out, also friend's dog blinded in one eye.
Bit puzzled by mention of ICI as I thought it had been abolished for Prima Casa unless of course you swells out there are multiple home owners.
Don't know if it's any help but you might like to try a quote from Saga. I guess you might need basic residence in UK and of course be of a certain age! ( Altho' I don't think it's THAT old!). Oh and earthquake damage is NOT covered. Interested to know that Italian property owners do not insure their houses to any great extent - what percentage?
I back up recommendation by rimcn of express by Holiday Inn at Luzern, v convenient just off motorway, spotlessly clean, nice staff, motorway services adjacent with v good restaurant, I've seen locals eating out there! Exit at rear to some pleasant farmland walks to stretch your legs.
If you rent out your property then the expensive option of an in-ground pool would be an attraction however if it's for your amusement then go for above ground every time . A very level site is necessary and for kids mainly, even the giant doughnut type is just fine with a pump/filter and a quarter of a tablet of chloriney stuff every ten days then all will be well. I've had mine for three years now and it still works. A word of warning for those who rent out - a lockable gate to the pool area could be necessary for health and safety etc for young guests! Give the key to the parents.