Archive by Author
Exploring The Parmense Posted by Serena on Nov 11, 2016
We’re still here in Salsomaggiore Terme, in front of the imposing Art Nouveau Terme Berzieri. Geoff is sitting on a bench, recovering from the tortuous drive. I make an effort to look at the building: “Com’è brutto! Perché fai finta che ti piace?” Geoff asks me. Geoff, who usually likes Stile Liberty, finds the building…
A Relaxing Trip – Part 1 Posted by Serena on Nov 9, 2016
I once read that on average it takes about 20 minutes for a couple in a car to start arguing about navigation or driving styles. Well, I guess I’m lucky then, because last Friday it took me and Geoff about 40 minutes before war broke out! We had decided to keep Friday work free, and…
At The Railway Station In Italy Posted by Serena on Nov 2, 2016
In English there’s a particular name for unhelpful public employees: jobsworth, an abbreviation of the phrase “I can’t let you do that, it’s more than my job’s worth”. The jobsworth seems to delight in upholding petty rules at the expense of humanity or even common sense. Isn’t it wonderful then, when you come across their…
October Italian Grammar Quiz – The Solutions Posted by Serena on Oct 28, 2016
Lazy astronauts up in your space station, and lazy submariners under the polar ice cap … where are your answers? Luckily some of our clever readers have had a go at this weeks quiz, which, if you haven’t yet seen it, you can find HERE. Now, let’s see how you got on. 1. Finché or…
Gli Ospiti Di Annalisa Posted by Serena on Oct 27, 2016
My friend Annalisa is a lovely sweet person with a very poetic soul. She can turn everyday facts into beautiful special events. So when I read this little tale on her Facebook page I decided (with her permission) to share it with you, my dear readers. Ho l’abitudine di mettere appena fuori casa del cibo…
Ottobre – A Poem Posted by Serena on Oct 21, 2016
Every season has its own beauty. Autumn brings exhilarating colours, the smell of must and wine, and the miracle of the sun ‘that can’t bid us farewell, returning every morning like a new miracle’. These are the thoughts expressed by the poet Vincenzo Cardarelli (1887-1960) in his poem Ottobre, which he wrote in the autumn…
Home made Italian Limoncello Posted by Serena on Oct 20, 2016
Oh dear, not one of you noticed the lemon! I was expecting a deluge of comments to the tune of “what on earth is a lemon doing amongst a bunch of DIY tools?” And yet there it is dear readers, right in the middle of the photo that appeared in my blog Attrezzi Fai Da…