Last night i had an encouter with a couple of porcospina travelling together along the country road that leads to our house. Is stopped with them in my headlights and got out to observe them. They seemed unconcerned and continued on their way until wandered out of the headlights beam and into the darnkness.

Has anyone else had any close encounters with them I've heard they can charge in attack. In Oz i've been known to handle the echindna similar to a Uk hedgehog but these  look a lot more spiny and dangerous, not that i am keen to pick one up.

Ciao tutti!

I'm trying to put together a list of the Best Italian Films and I would love your input and expertise.

I remember watching "Il Postino" as a teenager and that was probably the first time that the idea of living in Italy really took hold of me.  I know that there are lots of Fellini classics- but what are the best Italian movies according to you?  

Any modern films? Or movies that made YOU want to live in Italy?

Thanks so much! Hope you're all having a wonderful week!

We are just about to to decide whether to go with a swimming pool firm called Acquaform, who is very pricey, or to do it ourselves and really need some help with the way forward. Is there anyone out there who is available to help my overwhelmed husband, who is a skilled lay builder and DIY enthusiast. We have a renovated farmhouse in the beautiful hills of the South Langhe (Cuneo) on the borders of Liguria and Piemonte, and are in the process of landscaping and finishing off the outside.