MAIERATO IN CALABRIA FRANA LA MONTAGNA ITALIA
Yesterday morning there was another natural disaster, not on the scale of the earthquake in Haiti but no less devastating for those involved. A mudslide in the the village of Maierato in Calabria, Southern Italy. It left the village without any services, such as water, electricity etc and in the region of 2,000 inhabitants had to be evacuated.
This region is apparently prone to such landslips, but the amount of rain that has fallen over the last few months has made the area particularly susceptible.
The video I am posting is fromYou Tube and it shows just how terrifying it must have been to have viewed this from such close proximity. It is just like an avalanche but instead of snow in mud, truly horrendous.
My thoughts go out to all those effected by this disaster in which thankfully, as far as I have been able to ascertain no one was hurt, a miracle in itself
To my friends who live in Calabria, stay safe.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mudslide in Calabria
Sunday, February 14, 2010
St Valentines Day San Valentino
Courtesy of Wikepedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day
http://www.arroyovistainn.com/images/valentines-day.jpg
According to my research the Saints Day for San Valentino used to be celebrated as an early Spring festival, where young people listened to music and read poetry in the open air. I have certainly never seen evidence of this going on these days. For one thing it is far too cold!
In Italy now just like the rest of the world Valentines Day is seen as another commercial opportunity. If advertising is to be believed the youngsters express love to their sweethearts with gifts ranging from jewellery and perfume to flowers, chocolates and cards.
One chocolate that is heavily promoted here at this time of the year is the Baci Perugina ( Baci translates as a kisses), this small chocolate covered hazelnut, contains a romantic quote inside its wrapper. If the advertising is to be believed very popular with young lovers.
An occasion to be celebrated by lovers, this evening the local restaurants will probably be full of young romantics. They certainly were last year when we joined them, however this year we have nothing planned so will probably stay home. A burning log fire, a bottle of wine and each other, what more can we want.
Meanwhile my lovely husband treats me as his Valentine every single day of his life. I know that he does so much more to take care of me than I ever seem to do for him, but he knows I love him dearly.
After all
LOVE IS FOR EVERY DAY NOT JUST ST VALENTINES
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pruning
It is the time of the year to get the pruning done and when the weather has been amenable we have got started. There is lots to do this year as pruning has been rather neglected for the last few years. Although we purchased the house this time last year, the garden was very low in our priorities. It was somewhat more important to turn our building site into our home, the ground floor had not really been used as residential accommodation before. A year later the house is now a home, still some work to do on the interior but this year we will be able to spend more time working on the garden. In fact tomorrow the 9th of February is the first anniversary of completing the purchase. Although it was another month before we were able to move in and even then we had to go outside to get upstairs!
I say we have started the pruning but I am honest enough to admit that it is David and Bruno that have been doing all the hard work. I am just a willing helper, when it is not too cold and of course the official photographer!
David has had lots of impromptu lessons from Bruno which have been a great help. The first one was for the Kiwi’s, the first photo shows how it looked before, followed by a series of photos to show the process.
Early December Heavily Laden Kiwi Plants
January Tangled Kiwi Plants Awaiting Pruning.
Looking Somewhat Less Tangled
That Looks Better
The next pruning task was the Persimmmon, which if you follow this link you will see how it looked at Christmas. It now looks somewhat different as David and I did this together and have pruned it back very hard according to instructions. It was very thick and tangled before so it is strange to see it looking so denuded! I suppose it will grow back and look pretty again for next Christmas. Lets hope so anyway?
Thick and Tangled
Better?
Another tree in the garden that is looking completely denuded is a Willow, David was trimming it carefully when Bruno arrived and proceeded to give it a complete haircut!
Whoops!!
He then taught David how to use the willow as ties around the garden. All the kiwi growth is now tied up with willow. Very ecological and proof that the old ways can still be the best.
We still have lots of fruit trees and the walnut trees to prune and these will be done gradually over the forthcoming weeks. The priority over the last few days has been to get the vines all pruned. We had a few at our previous house so thought we knew how they should be done. Almost completed when along comes Bruno to tell us that although they had been pruned correctly, that was not how they are done locally!
With around 57 vines it seems we may have to consider making some wine ourselves this year!
I say we have started the pruning but I am honest enough to admit that it is David and Bruno that have been doing all the hard work. I am just a willing helper, when it is not too cold and of course the official photographer!
David has had lots of impromptu lessons from Bruno which have been a great help. The first one was for the Kiwi’s, the first photo shows how it looked before, followed by a series of photos to show the process.
Early December Heavily Laden Kiwi Plants
January Tangled Kiwi Plants Awaiting Pruning.
Looking Somewhat Less Tangled
That Looks Better
The next pruning task was the Persimmmon, which if you follow this link you will see how it looked at Christmas. It now looks somewhat different as David and I did this together and have pruned it back very hard according to instructions. It was very thick and tangled before so it is strange to see it looking so denuded! I suppose it will grow back and look pretty again for next Christmas. Lets hope so anyway?
Thick and Tangled
Better?
Another tree in the garden that is looking completely denuded is a Willow, David was trimming it carefully when Bruno arrived and proceeded to give it a complete haircut!
Whoops!!
He then taught David how to use the willow as ties around the garden. All the kiwi growth is now tied up with willow. Very ecological and proof that the old ways can still be the best.
We still have lots of fruit trees and the walnut trees to prune and these will be done gradually over the forthcoming weeks. The priority over the last few days has been to get the vines all pruned. We had a few at our previous house so thought we knew how they should be done. Almost completed when along comes Bruno to tell us that although they had been pruned correctly, that was not how they are done locally!
With around 57 vines it seems we may have to consider making some wine ourselves this year!
Friday, February 5, 2010
World Nutella Day
World Nutella Day
For lots more interesting information do follow the link above which will take you to another Blog I follow Bleeding Espresso which is written by Michelle Fabio.
While I wanted to show my support to World Nutella Day I am also wondering if I am alone in not liking
Please let me know what you think of Nutella?
Maybe it is a LOVE or HATE relationship like the famous product (well in the UK market it is) Marmite
I LOVE MARMITE! Maybe that just means I do not have an incredibly sweet tooth if I prefer this savoury spread in preference to NUTELLA. HAPPY NUTELLA DAY
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