Our electricity was recently cut off by ENEL for non-payment of bills. We hadn't paid because we hadn't received any bills!
KarenSheffield's activity
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We are having our outside staircase renovated - at the moment it is all in rather rough concrete which is crumbling. Out builder has sent us details of the work this involves.
Sat, 02/23/2013 - 13:23
We are having our outside staircase renovated - at the moment it is all in rather rough concrete which is crumbling. Out builder has sent us details of the work this involves.
Sat, 02/23/2013 - 13:23
We have had problems when hiring a car in Italy - they seem to deduct random credit card payments for imaginary accidents and traffic violations. However, it is a long way from Sheffield to Basilicata. Is there anybody who had cone this?
Sat, 11/17/2012 - 09:41
Our house is ready, but there is still no water connection, despite myriad requests and a variety of excuses from the water board- software problems, short staffed, August, wrong kind of water etc.
Sat, 08/20/2011 - 10:43
The property is an ancient wine vault that was used for making and storing wine. It is part of a terrace of similar structures built into the hillside, with cantinas underneath.
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:33
Hooray! Our house is finished! Well, apart from the water connection...
Mon, 07/04/2011 - 15:30
Our wine vault in Grottole is being renovated. The plastering has been done, kitchen and bathroom installed, but still no electricity or water connections.
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 12:35
These photos show our house in Grottole, an ancient wine vault, and some views of the village.
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:24
Comments posted
I spoke too soon. Apparently our water has still not been connected, as the downstairs neighbour is refusing to let our pipes run down his wall to street level! He doesn't even live there, the property is only a cantina, used for storage. Some people who bought in Irsina had the same problem, the irate neighbour even tried to push the workman installing the pipes off his ladder! In the end the work was completed under police guard. Has anyone heard of this happening elsewhere? I am fully expecting a demand for some extortionate sum of money for the 'privilege' of using his wall- strictly illegal of course. What a country!
The only silver lining in the grey economic cloud hanging over Italy at the moment is that Berlusconi may finally be forced out of office. Who wants an ostrich with head firmly buried in sand for a prime minister?
I think my namesake karenr has posted this by mistake to me rather than to Fabbriche!
Thank you for your kind words, Gala Placidia, and for the link to the 'heating' thread.
A good reminder, Alan. I have no idea if the pipes and taps have been tested or not. Our agent is pretty hopeless, but I can ask her to test that the water is flowing. We are coming out in December, so hopefully they won't have frozen by then.
Apparently our water has at long last been connected! Actually it was done 2 weeks ago but our agent was 'too busy' to let us know before. This is good news, but unfortunately we won't be able to get out there until December- and by then it will no doubt be too cold to stay there until we get a source of heating sorted out. We are thinking of a woodburning stove to put in the huge fireplace. Still, am looking forward to going out and haveing a shower, flushing the loo and washing the dishes - yes I know we can do all that here in Sheffield but we take it for granted here. We heard from someone in Irsina - also in Basilicata, same water company, Aquedotto Lucano, that her neighbours had to wait 18 months for a connection, so maybe we should count ourselves lucky. And thank you to all who offered help, advice and good wishes.
This sounds awful. I cannot believe anyone could act so badly. But you seem to have the Carabinieri on your side, which can only be a good thing. I have heard before of the police taking action in such disputes. I know some people who bought a house in Basilicata, and the neighbour who owned the property below - only a cantina, not even a house he lived in - kept tearing down the waste water pipes which went down to the ground across his property, and even tried to shake the workmen off their ladder. The police actually had to supervise the work in the end! Do let us know the outcome- I hope it works out for you.
It is sad to hear that you cannot find local workmen trained inthe old techniques who are interested in sensitive restoration. It always amazes me that people living in ancient houses can install garish floor tiles and aluminium doors and windows.
I have a so-called property management agent who is supposed to be on the case, but she tells me that the water company- yes, it must be the same company as for you, Bruno- have said that they will 'let us know' when the installation is going to be done. Surely there is some way to speed up the process? I would happily pay a 'special connection fee' if I knew who to offer it to!
Hi Bruno, Having now been to Grottole several times, we appreciate the view more than ever. We do not have a view over the valley, but of the hills. There are a few windmills, but I don't think they detract from the view. I also now realise that it is not easy to get to Irsina at all, in fact it is not easy to get to anywhere! The road to Metera through Mig;ionico is possible, but the Miglionico road is subject to rockfalls in bad weather, and was closed last winter. But at least the remoteness means that Grottole will never be overrun with tourists! Where is it that you live? All the best, Karen