Archive for November, 2013
Il Bargnolino di Ines Posted by Serena on Nov 29, 2013
As I promised in my last post, today I’m going to reveal to you Ines’ secret recipe for il Bargnolino. Bargnolino is our local name (Valdantena near Pontremoli) for Prugnolino, a liqueur made with le bacche di prugnolo = blackthorn berries or sloes. The Latin name for prugnolo (the accent is on the first ‘o’…
A Casa di Ines Posted by Serena on Nov 26, 2013
Finalmente una bellissima giornata di sole dopo tanta tanta pioggia! “Andiamo a fare una passeggiata?” ha suggerito Geoff. “Certo, e senza perdere un minuto di tempo” gli ho risposto io. E così, in quattro e quattr’otto abbiamo fatto colazione, sfamato tutti i gatti, infilato gli scarponi, e siamo usciti a goderci il sole. Abbiamo attraversato…
Unravelling the Chinese Italian Instructions Posted by Serena on Nov 22, 2013
I guess we’ve all stared in frustrated confusion or amusement at the badly translated instructions that arrive with our latest ‘made in China’ acquisition. A few days ago Geoff bought a tactical torch for his airsoft rifle from the Chinese stall on the market here in Pontremoli. It’s well made, well presented, and with a…
Without End Posted by Geoff on Nov 19, 2013
Senzafine (Without End) is the title of one of my favourite songs by the Milanese Gothic Metal band Lacuna Coil. Lacuna Coil are one of the few Italian metal bands that have achieved international fame, and part of the reason for this is probably that they made the decision to write and sing almost exclusively…
Shooting the Saints Posted by Serena on Nov 15, 2013
Lunedì sera sono andata con Geoff a giocare ad Airsoft. Era la prima volta in vita mia! Airsoft, o meglio, come dicono qui in Italia, Softair, è l’ultima passione di Geoff, e ha cominciato a contagiare anche me. Ho iniziato sparando al bersaglio sull’orto tanto per provare: ebbene sì, sono una discreta tiratrice. Così, dopo…
Da or Per? Posted by Serena on Nov 12, 2013
I recently received the following comment from a reader: “I think the two prepositions da and per, when they have the same meaning, is a source of confusion since there isn’t a rule to go by. A future blog would be much appreciated on this.” Yes, it’s true that this is a tricky subject, so…
Not Just Another Old Italian Church Posted by Geoff on Nov 7, 2013
A few days ago I had to drive Serena’s mother down to the Civico Ospedale di Carrara to have an eye test carried out. We got to the appointment on time but, as usual, there was to be a long delay, so Serena suggested I went off to explore the town whilst she sat in…