Now that we are hopefully at least halfway through the recession and it appears that builders, plumbers and electricians are crying out for more than just repair jobs or small jobs does anyone have any up to date information on the cost of building work ( new construction) per m2.

My Italian friends have said that it is now possible to get low prices that were unheard of two or three years ago. I would love to know if prices have gone down because of the lack of work.

Has anybody any idea of where to get LARGE packing boxes for moving? I need about 20. Somebody suggested Ikea,but they are half size.

Any ideas would be great. Thanks

sending a parcel to my cousin in italy i am using google translator in which i enter 'fragile - handle with care' for english to italian translation, this is confusing for me because it gives exactly the same output as in english. i have also tried another internet translator and exactly the same translation is given again.

though i don't read and write italian i can speak it, could this phrase be internationally known? I’d be grateful if someone could clarify, even if just for italy.

thanks.

Sadly, it looks like some people will again be struggling to get here and/or go back for the bank holiday weekend coming up next week, hopefully a lot of rescheduling can be undertaken?

As a point of interest, the following website shows the lack of airtraffic over Scotland.............

http://www.flightradar24.com/

S

We are just back from a n enjoyable week in Rome and I must mention the great coffee we had at Piazza Sant'Eustachio, a sort of "sanctuary" for all coffee lovers. Nothing can compare to their "grand caffe" and it is a good idea to go across the square to the church to thank the saint for such a heavenly experience.