Ciao e tutti,
After 13 years it has finally become necessary to drive to Italy! I suppose it was inevitable. This time we have to take far more kit than Ryanair could cope with so I would like to get some advice from the seasoned motorists & lorry drivers among you.
We are thinking of going in late Feb or early March. I think we would like the cheapest & most enjoyable route we can find with one or two of relaxing overnights on the way. Our destination is Orvieto, which is about 1 hr. north of Rome.

Can anyone assist me with this question regarding my god sons house? He has been given a house by his uncle and it needs to be completely refurbished from top to bottom. It will be his first house and his young family are looking forward to moving in. However the builder has told him that he needs to have TWO septic tanks. One for the kitchen and one for the bathrooms. Is this a new building requirement? When we had our house refurbished we had just the one.
Are they entitled to any grants or assistance in bringing this old house back to life, it will be their only house.

Visited the apartment we keep near Varese Ligure after a closure of several months (including most of summer) and found dozens of huge wasps, now dead from the cold. No sign of the nest. Chimney maybe? Anyone have experience with this? Our landlord says he can find the nest in the spring. More at this post: http://wp.me/p1TZTg-1o

It will take a quite monumental event to prise us from our wonderful life and friends here. BUT,................. what/where is the future for the younger generation here ? There are so many empty properties in the villages around here (in Le Marche) because the local owners have sadly passed away and their children have moved elsewhere in the (literally) world. Surely these villages can't die !!??

The contadini are on their last legs, there are very few sons/daughters who want to follow in their babo's footseps..........

Just a warning to those not aware; there will be a strike by Border Control staff covering most UK Airports and Ports on Wednesday 30th Nov. There have been warnings of up to 12 hour delays especially at Heathrow; so if travelling try and change the date or take a packed Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast.....

Looking for advice/guidance on the above subject. I am planning on purchasing satellite broadband and had hoped that it was possible to use satellite dish also for TV. I have looked into Tooway but local supplier tells me I need sky dish for TV. As you can probably tell I am a complete idiot when it comes to technology. Is it possible to have one subscription/dish for both? If so, any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks