What Now?

Back in February, our Sindica (Mayor) had declared Modica bankrupt.

Since then, except for the almost-constant (political) sniping; ongoing ‘tit-for-tat’, kiddie-like ‘he said, she said’ carry on; and the locals getting frustrated and venting on social media … nothing’s really changed!
Okay, that’s a bit facetious. Nevertheless, it’s mostly true.
You’d think that declaring a city of 53,000 bankrupt would’ve seen something ... anything ... happening to reflect that status. But that’s not the case.
The Sindica and her current (split) council are carrying on as if nothing’s changed. I mean: The weeding about the place was late (as ever); the water and council rates issues have carried on as they did last year; and the Sindica and her favoured councillors are still cutting ribbons and pushing free concerts and events to keep the citizens ‘happy’!
At least, this was the case, up until a few days ago, when the local press started reporting that five ‘Notices of Investigation’ have been issued to unnamed officials and administrators of the previous administration.
That is, the one run by our mayor’s predecessor, Ignazio Abbate. He being seen as ‘most responsible’ for our city’s current financial state.
Apparently, investigations have been carried out by the Carabinieri and the Guardia di Finanza. The former, while military, are also responsible for law and order; while the latter are financial police, targeting fraud and tax evasion.
Whether true or not, I recall the so-called ‘Chinese’ curse: “May you live in interesting times…”
Yes indeed!

Growing

I created my “All Things Modica” Facebook page nearly two years ago now.

That’s ‘page’ not ‘group’ as it gave me the ability to have full control of it.
The first post was on the 15th September 2023. Funnily enough, it covered an exhibition by “La Coperta delle Mamme di Modica” (“The Blanket of the Mothers of Modica”), a charity group who crochet blankets for poorer families.
That’s ‘funnily enough’ because Alice consequently joined them! Who knew?
Anyways, since then the page has grown somewhat. Albeit slowly to begin with!
I’m writing this now because this month I thanked my page followers. Pointing out that on the 13th May 2024, the page had 246 followers. A number that had grown to 1,580 by the 13th May 2025, an over six-fold annual increase! Surely worthy of the big “Thank You!” post I made to celebrate this milestone.
Why was I ‘crowing’ about reaching (only) 246 followers last year? Well, because I’d posted a reel about a previous “Festa di San Giorgio” ... to point out the then-upcoming one the following week. Subsequently the page went from tens of followers to hundreds in mere days!
By the way, as all my reels end up on the wider Internet, that one posted in May 2024 ended up with 434,000 views! I reposted it again this year to (again) point out the upcoming 2025 Festa. ‘Unfortunately’, this time it only reached 119,000 views…
As of today, my page followers’ number 1,865.
Mustn’t grumble…!

“Murder, He Watched”

I have this secret addiction...
It’s a guilty pleasure I’ve found myself drawn to more and more, because I (apparently) have more time on my hands since retiring.
Sort of! But I can always seem to find the time between updating my “All Things Modica” page, researching our family trees, scanning old photos, writing, and my ‘babies’ (cactuses). Amongst other, more ‘trivial’ things: Like maintaining our home!

Alrighty, what’s this (non-destructive) addiction then? I love ...  “Cozy TV Mysteries”! That’s right! The “Cozies”, as they’re often called, f’sure do it for me.
It’s out in the open now: “Hi. My name’s Andrew, and I’m a cozies addict...”
So, what am I talking about?
Well, ‘cozies’ are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which any violence and sex most often occur ‘offstage’. The detective’s likely (but not always) an amateur, and the crime and detection take place in a village or small town. Cozies stand in contrast to more hardboiled fiction, in which certainly more violence, and often explicit sex, are central to the plot.
My favourites being the likes of “Father Brown”, “Shakespeare & Hathaway”, “Agatha Raisin” and so on. Oh, and I’m happy to re-visit finished series like “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”, “Queens of Mystery” and “Jonathan Creek”.
Some don’t really fit into the genre as they involve the police, but I still love ‘em anyways! I’m talkin’ “The Chelsea Detective”, “Death in Paradise”, and the wonderful NZ “The Brokenwood Mysteries”.
There! So now you know…

More Soon...

Anniversary

The five-year anniversary of my blog came and went last month!

I started this journey way back on Thursday the 26th March 2020, when we were still living in London, and my dream was to move to Italy.

My first ever blog post...

That’s what it was too: A dream. If’n you’d asked me back in March 2020 why I started up my blog, I couldn’t really tell you. Okay, I knew I wanted a change. A drastic one at that.
I’d had enough of the to-me pointless roundabout of work: Of keeping corporates happy; of massaging egos; and the endless repetition of doing the same old same old … year in and year out!
So, change was needed, and I found it entirely therapeutic then (and still now) to put my thoughts down on (figurative) paper. Therefore, what you’re reading now is the result of five years of (semi-)therapy!
Ha!
Looking back to that five year younger me, I recall (and re-read) that back in the day my ‘mission’ was trying to persuade the then-sceptical Alice that moving to Italy (specifically Sicily) would be a grand idea. And an entirely ‘doable’ one at that!
One of the key lessons learned was that hard facts were needed: Not appeals to the romance and adventure of the thing; nor alluding to the fact that we weren’t like those who may’ve lamented about the rapidly-approaching Brexit ... but weren’t prepared to do anything about it.
F’sure that 61-year-old me must’ve been persuasive: ‘Cause here we are!

Cold Feet?

I don’t like using the term ‘expat’ (much preferring ‘immigrant’), but I’ll use it for simplicity’s sake.
Anyways, an expat couple we’re acquainted with have recently been seen about the city again. I type ‘again’ because they’re spending more and more time back in the UK now. I don’t have any problem with that, of course, it’s their life and they’ve made their intentions very clear to us: They’re selling up and leaving Modica to return ‘home’.

Couple of things here: Good luck trying to sell in this market; and are you entirely sure that’s what you want to do?
I say this because, when we’ve bumped into them recently (three times now), he’s rather pointedly asked me at least five times questions along the lines of: “So you still like it here?” and “Are you staying in Modica then?”
Now I ask myself a question in response: “Why’s he asking such loaded questions?” And, I’ve decided, rightly or wrongly maybe, that the answer has to be he’s unsure of himself. Of this rather momentous decision.
Otherwise, why ask me such questions?
I’ve been making decisions for both myself and on my family’s behalf for decades now. Naturally! And I’ve always tried to base them firmly around facts … rather than (only) emotion. To me, the facts are here that while Modica is f’sure more chaotic and bureaucratic than the UK, the living’s still way better and easier here.
I ain’t movin’ … and that’s a fact!

Busy As...

I’ve said it before and, because this is my blog, I’m sayin’ it again: You gotta keep busy!

Not for me!

That’s one life lesson I’ve learned repeatedly since I’ve retired. I mean: Do something. Hobby, interest, whatever. Just do … something!
It’s uber-important to me, and should be to you who’re now in the Autumn of your working years.
Actually, scratch that. It’s important to everyone really, no matter your age or circumstances.
One of my ‘truisms’ has always been: “Work to live, not live to work...”. And f’sure it’s one I’ve tried to live my life by over the years.
So, I made a conscious decision when I retired to do those things that needed doing, given I would now have the time to properly dedicate to them. Regardless, and of course, many I was already trying to keep up with, even when working full time.
Things like researching the family tree, reading those books I’d always put off reading, doing more writing (this blog being a part of that decision), working on all those old (physical) photos we had lying about the place and (finally) trying to grow something that wouldn’t die on me...
Amongst much else. All the important stuff, as you can see! Now the question here is: “Is any of this of any actual use?”
Like, will it matter to my children? Or even to theirs? Perhaps yes or maybe not.
What’s important is it matters to you … so just get on with it!

More Soon...

It’s Sprung!

If you were to ask me to sum up Spring here in one word?

That word would have to be: “Yellow”.
Why choose a colour, rather than say a mood, temperature, and/or date? It’s simple really! It’s because the gardens, roadsides, and fields here are (quite literally) blanketed in that colour.

From horizon to horizon in many cases, you’ll spot yellow flowers of all shapes ‘n sizes everywhere. Tiny to large, from the city into the countryside, and along the streams, rivers and by the sea too!
Everywhere.
Followed a distant second by your ‘run-of-the-mill’ purples, mauves, and reds, it’s f’sure yellow that dominates.
Mind you, I’m not talking about neat rows of plants in formal borders, flowerboxes, or anything near as civilised as that. Nope, ‘cause here in Sicily, it’s all about the weeds! Or, perhaps if’n I chose to be polite here, I could maybe stretch to ‘wild flowers’.
Having lived in the UK, I loved seeing the acres of rapeseed flowering every Spring there. Who wouldn’t? But I have to say I prefer it here. There’s something ‘primeval’ about the disarrayed flower displays here that appeals more. 
It’s worth noting that, given my Australasian heritage, what also grows wild hereabouts are poppies!
That now-eternal symbol of ANZAC Day (25th April 2025) in both New Zealand and Australia, they too grow wild here. You’ll find ‘em tucked amongst the other (yes ... mostly yellow!) flowers.
So, and regardless of your colour preference, make mine yellow please!

Hurry Up!

Talking of colours here, let’s carry on this theme.

Rain, rain, go away...!

Because, for now, I’m feeling a wee bit blue! That’d be because the weather’s not been so good recently. In fact, it’s been all over the damn place this last week or so! Clouds, rain (some torrential), gale-force winds, interspersed with short bouts of actual sunshine.
And it’s been cold too. Down as low as single figures celcius overnight most nights.
All of which means it’s f’sure way too early to pack away the Winter jerseys and coats, and put away the electric blanket, as well. Unfortunately.
Okay, I’ll admit I’m a complete big girl’s blouse when it comes to the cold. I can’t stand it, y’see. I discovered, many years ago now, that Summer is my season of choice. One of the prime reasons I shifted here to Sicily, and of course. Bring on those 40-plus celcius days, I say!
Anyways, it is what it is and, as my wife likes to (constantly) say, I should just grow a pair, and get on with it. I should, and I would, but it’s too cold Alice!
Regardless, I did move my ‘babies’ (my cactuses and succulents) outside the other day, as they’re all showing signs of ‘waking up’ after their Winter dormancy. Maybe they, and the Spring flowers, know something I don’t? As in: Regardless of what’s going on right now, the cycle of life continues, and maybe Summer is just around the corner. Bring it!
Please hurry though…

It’s Official…

As it’s (officially) Spring, it’s time to get on with the ‘Spring Cleaning’.
Although I count that not as simply cleaning, but as something akin to: "Getting on with those jobs we put off over Winter."

In previous years, that’s meant key stuff, like fitting a new kitchen, putting in double-glazing and painting the exterior. Or, year before last, repairing the north-facing wall due to water incursion.
That latter wasn’t too unexpected, remembering that our ‘kiwi4everhome’ here is somewhere between 150 to 250 years old!
Thankfully, last year was a little less fraught, as we had no real outstanding jobs, so it was more like the traditional cleaning then. Granted that respite, and after resting on our laurels in 2024, it did get us thinking more about maintenance. As in: Since we’ve already tackled those key, unavoidable jobs, it’s time to concentrate on … painting!
No. I’m not talking ‘bout whipping out an easel and paintbrush to do some landscapes here!
Nope. The rough-plastered interior walls of our home are looking a bit sad at the minute. As in: Neglected, flaking and dust-causing. No surprise, of course, given it hasn’t been re-painted for nearly nine years now.
So that’s the project for this year then and, as every room here sports either a way high barrel or groin vaulted ceiling, it’ll certainly end up being a ‘biggie’! As a for instance: The kitchen ceiling is 2.5 metres high, and the entrance area is three metres!
Wish us luck!
More Soon...

Declaration

She only went and did it!

Now there’d been increasingly shrill rumours flying about the place for a number of months now.

Our Mayoress...

And, of course, her current action only brings to a head what we’d been hearing about since her predecessor had stepped down in June 2022. It has to be said though that it’s likely she knew about the situation, having been a key part of the administration herself up until her own appointment to the top job back in May 2023.
What am I talking about?
Well, the Città di Modica (City of Modica) ... my city, our city ... is bankrupt!
The Sindica (Mayor) Maria Monisteri having declared this, formally and officially, during an apparently somewhat fraught and marathon-length council meeting held on the evening of Tuesday the 7th January 2025. She had no real choice in the matter because, as she summed up during the declaration: “We can’t go on like this.”
As I say, no real surprise for anyone following the local news here, as it was well-known the accounts had been in the red for years. That’s way deep in the red, too: To the tune of around € 120 million!
It was stated at the time that both the mayor and city council would remain in office in order to approve and facilitate a recovery plan that’ll (obviously) involve both massive cuts and (unfortunately) increasing local taxes.
What does this mean for us living here in Modica though?
Nothing good, I’m afraid!

The Morning After...

The seven odd (very odd!) weeks since our mayor declared our city bankrupt have proven to be … interesting. It’s turned into a “Tragicomedy” but without the usual happy ending, I’m afraid!

I mean, and entirely predictably, the ‘blame-game’ kicked off within hours. It began with both our current and previous mayors blaming the mayor-before-last, which didn’t go down too well with anyone, especially given these two had held power for over a decade between them.
Then, in a twist I saw coming a mile off, our current mayor then blamed her immediate predecessor. Who instantly countered by stating she shouldn’t have declared bankruptcy, before blaming both her and his predecessor (again) for the whole sorry situation.
And who doesn’t love local politics?
Our previous mayor, the Honourable Ignazio Abbate, called such because he’s now a member of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, was so pissed with his erstwhile hand-picked protégé that, in a fit of pique, he had a poster of her removed from the window of the local party headquarters. A political party both are supposedly members of! An ‘event’ widely reported (and derided) in the local press, it must be said.
Now our council was stuffed with Abbate supporters, making the situation even more fraught. The mayor responding to her ‘mentors’ attacks by firing the lot, and hand-choosing her own supporters to make up a council she could govern through.
Meanwhile, Modica’s local government has ground to a halt.
You couldn’t make this stuff up!

Well Then?

Well then, what’s this mean for those of us living here?
Obviously the comune has, and we’re talkin’ f’sure here, taken their eye entirely off the ball when it comes to local issues. A predictable situation due to them being far too busy infighting, (still) playing the blame-game, and jostling for political position, to care much about anything else.
And that includes us rate payers. Of course!

Silver-linings

So … has life here begun to give us lemons and turn sour? Funnily enough, the answer to that would be a big “Nope!”
Okay, the current mess is that: A mess. But something’s changed. Something entirely unforeseen. At least by me. And, I’m sure, it’s taken many others by surprise, too!
Because the locals appear to have had enough.
Enough of the bullshit brought about by years of neglect and waffle; of fine words backed up by inaction; and problems being papered over by offering free concerts in the main square.
Now, we worked out quickly that Modicans have never really been given to complaining. Local protests have been few and far between, no matter the situation. Until now.
Because now it looks like about everyone is vocal in their criticism of the mayor and her predecessors, and both the current and previous councils. Which is entirely a good thing, I say!
So then, along with Spring being just around the corner, the sun shining bright, and the living still being cheap, life here’s not too bad really.
Everything considered…

More Soon...

Somewhere Different

 Is London the greatest city on the planet?

Abso-bloody-lutely!

I used to think so a few years ago, and nothing has changed my opinion of that. Not even a little. This after after visits to Paris and New York, Melbourne and Bangkok, amongst many others.
Okay, this is my personal opinion of course, but as I spent many years both living and working there, I reckon I can (semi-subjectively) make such a judgement.
Is it my most favourite city on the planet though? Nope: It wasn't then and still isn't now. Although, it must be said, it did run a very close second back then.
'Back then' being over four years ago now.

So why am I writing about London when this blog is supposed to be about Modica?
Well, that'd be because I find myself back in the UK capital once again. In fact, I'm writing these lines in a holiday apartment not 10 minutes walk from the imposing Tower of London. Y'see, we came back to the UK for Alice's goddaughter's wedding in nearby Windsor. A place we'd also lived in for many years, back when both of our sons were young.
We'd decided that, since we made the journey there, we may as well visit London once again, so here I am doing my blog, looking out on another cold and blustery, but thankfully not damp day today.

Have I gone ahead and compared this city to my now-home city? Most foolishly perhaps, of course I have! I'm only human after all.
So I just have to try and compare the giant apple of London to the wee orange of Modica. I feel it'd be somewhat remiss of me if'n I didn't.
Now I'm not going to talk about things like size, population and influence. I'm not a complete numpty! Instead, let's talk of life, living costs, weather and the general 'feel' of both cities. I'll not be doing this in any depth (who wants that?), but using very broad 'brush-strokes' only.

'Life' first then.
To be honest, life in London is good. Good if you don't mind commuting and large crowds, but then the Underground and the buses are an absolute Godsend. Can't grumble about public transport here! It beats Modica hands down in that department.

Which leads us nicely into 'living costs', because while awesome, the cost of that commute is uber-high.
Then the general cost of living, especially when comparing rents and house prices, fruit and vege, eating and drinking out, is way higher here. Naturally. But, importantly, also way higher here when compared to locals' incomes.

'Weather' next.
Do I really have to do this? No. No I don't!

When it comes to general 'feel' though, I will admit I do love it here.
The cultural side, and hands down, more than holds in comparison to Modica. How can it not though, when London was the centre of a vast empire, and has been at the very centre of history for millennia. That culture don't come cheap though! Yesterday, I saw it'd cost £34.80 for a single entrance ticket to the Tower of London. Although 'only' £27.70 for an old fart like me!

Overall then ... while I do love London (and how can you not?), I much prefer to live in my now-most-favourite city on the planet: Modica.

So goodbye for now from my (now) third-favourite city on Earth...

More Soon...

“Carpe Diem”

What will 2025 bring us?

Dr. Seuss said: “Only you can control your future.” In a personal sense, that’s very true, of course.
But more broadly, that’s not for the likes of me. Not anymore. I don’t have any control over the future.
Back in the day, I marched against apartheid, war generally, and nuclear war in particular, and was more than proud to do so.
But my days of trying to change the world are well and truly over, I’m afraid. And, frankly, I don’t miss such responsibility.
Why am I writing this?

Because I feel the future belongs to those with more of it than me. It belongs to my children, their children (of which I have a few!) … and not some 66-year-old retiree living out his remaining years (in bliss!) on a sun-drenched island in the Mediterranean, if’n you know what I mean?
Anyways, no matter how optimistic (or boastful!) I am, I know I have way more past than future. And that’s okay by me! I came to terms with that many years ago.
So, if you’re younger than me (and many of you are), then 2025 is yours so much more than mine, so make the most of it!
Why “Carpe Diem” as a title? Because I reckon it applies more to me than to you. I may be able to enjoy the moment, but you still must make your own future.
So, I wish you well for 2025 … and beyond!

‘Non-Time’

Isn’t this the strangest time of year?

"Nom nom..."

I’m talking about that period between Christmas Eve and New Years Day. That ‘non-time’ when most people are either on holiday or at least have some time off.
That period when you routinely find yourself overindulging in food and/or drink; when you’re often ‘forced’ to spend time with extended family; and when you can play ‘catchup’ on some things about the house, or in your life, that you couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make time for during the rest of the year...
When it comes to food, I’m very much a ‘traditionalist’ at Christmas: I’m talking turkey with all the trimmings here, despite the disapproving looks from some locals when we pointed out that’s what we’d be having (again) this year!
Disapproval aside, I only choose things like turkey because I enjoy the challenge of cooking it. Despite the fact Alice always claims it stresses me out! Which, okay, it sometimes does. But still...
When it comes to family, we f’sure weren’t ‘forced’ to spend time with them: We welcomed it!
That’s because we were lucky enough to have our youngest son Anton here at Christmas, which made it uber-special, of course.
As for ‘catchup’?
I worked on Alice’s family tree, something I’d put aside for quite a while, now reckoning it was the perfect time of year to do so, as it is supposed to be all about family, ain’t it?
I do hope you and yours also enjoyed this ‘non-time’ of year…

Happy Anniversary

Four years ago, this month!

It wasn't to be!

Four years since the Brexit ‘transition period’ ended, and four years since we received our ‘Certificato Contestuale di Residenza, di Stato di Famiglia’ (‘Contextual Certificate of Residence, Family Status’) on Friday the 11th December 2020.
What that mouthful of a document signified was we were officially now residents in Italy; in Sicily; and (more importantly for us) in the Municipality of Modica. And we’d gotten said status only 20 days before the end of the transition deadline of the 31st December 2020.
So: Phew!
The process was long, fraught, and f’sure not without some humour. I mean, even to get our hands on said ‘certificato’ involved something of a comic twist.
Y’see, we had to of course jump through loadsa bureaucratic hoops (read my 2020 blog entries!), all of which culminated in presenting a ‘Dichiarazione di Residenza’ (‘Residence Declaration’) form to the comune on Friday the 30th October 2020.
Now, to get residency, both my research stated and the comune declared, was a 45-day-long process. At the end of which they’d (hopefully) cough up our certificate, and we could get on with our lives. Given this, and that we’d heard nothing in the interim, and with that 31st December deadline looming, Alice rang the comune to chase up our residency request.
The end result of which was the signora at the comune asking: “But why do you want a certificate, when you’re already resident here?” Seems It’d already been approved.
See? Funny that…!

More Soon...

Just One More Slice

Christmas is just around the corner, don’t you know.

Sorry for the reminder, but there it is! And I’m not really that sorry, as I do love this time of year. You’ll not be getting no “Bah, humbug” from me, I’m afraid!
Of course, as we slide gently into December here, naturally I’m wondering what Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) has for me this year.
Socks? Underwear? Knitted scarves and gloves? A new iPhone? I don’t think so.

More likely a glass or three of Sicilian dessert wine, accompanied by several generous slices of a locally-made artisan (‘handmade’) “Panettone”, all the while listening to and ‘enjoying’ Christmas songs on Spotify or YouTube.
Speaking of Panettone, we’ve already ordered a couple. This year from “Fede”, a most excellent “Dolceria, Pasticceria, Gelateria e Caffetteria”. That is: A sweet, pastry, ice cream and coffee shop up in Modica Alta.
The festive season f’sure being of the (over-)indulgent “No Diet Yet” variety in Modica!
Now, we’ve been enjoying local Panettoni every year since that first Christmas back in 2020. Always following our strict “Share the Love” mantra, we’ve ordered them from about every pasticceria down here in Modica Bassa, so this year it’s Alta’s turn.
Now, back in both the UK and NZ, we’d sometimes buy a Panettone for Christmas. Although, in truth, we’d always found them ... somewhat disappointing. Being of the (overly) ‘mass-produced’ variety as they were. Here though?
Bring it on, Modica … I’m up for the challenge!

Chrissy Bling

The ‘Christmas Season’ begins way later here than you (and I) may be used to.
The season only ‘formally’ kicking off on the 8th of December. A Sunday this year as it happens.
Unfortunately for those still working. I say ‘unfortunately’ because it’s a national holiday in Italy, and they don’t do the whole “carry-it-over-to-the-next-working-day” thing here!
The 8th of December is the celebration of the “Immacolata Concezione della Beata Vergine Maria” (“Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”).
This mouthful usually being reduced to simply the ‘Immaculate Conception’, and it’s Catholic Church dogma, first proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, at which time the church established the Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin from the first instant of her conception. As distinguished from the virginal conception of Jesus, it must be noted.
And now you know!

Chrissy decorations 2021

What does this mean for life here in Modica though? Well, for one thing there’s a general absence of ‘Christmas bling’ on display here. Alright, and f’sure some businesses (and homes) are sporting the ‘usual suspects’: Christmas trees, rather rotund bearded gents dressed in red-and-white, metres of tinsel and/or flashing lights.
But for the most part here, you’d note a lack of those ostentatious, over-the-top, uber-commercial shop window displays you’ll see in your own high street in NZ or the UK. Or Christmas lights turning night into day along said streets. Until the 8th December anyways.
Now I’ve tried to stop Alice putting up decorations prior?
I’ve always failed…

Brass Monkeys

Always be prepared to revisit stuff!
I mean, looking back at what I wrote the other day, I’m not so sure now that: “...as we slide gently into December here” is factual? I, for one, don’t like the fact it’s getting cold here now.
Albeit ‘cold’ is a relative term, of course! For us here in the sunny (sunnier, at least!) south of Europe, ‘cold’ means temperatures falling to single digits celcius.

No comment necessary...

Not minus, mind you, as that rarely seems to happen here. Although the “Feels Like” option on the weather forecast app can point out that it f’sure can feel like a minus sometimes.
I’m only pointing this out now because tonight’s the night! The night when the temperature drops to a bone-chilling 7 degrees celcius. And the next 10 days ain’t much better either, swinging between 7 and 9 degrees only. “Brass Monkey Weather” in other words!
Now before you type “Wimp!” or some other equally hurtful comment in response to this post, please to remember I’m out walking most mornings way before the sun comes up. I don’t go out looking like the “Michelin Man”, but I will be sporting at least three layers of clothing when I do, alright?
As I like to put it: “Mrs Kelly didn’t raise no fools!”
And then there’s my poor babies: My cactuses and succulents aren’t exactly fans of the chill either. And who am I to blame them? Like me, they prefer the warm…
Bring on Summer…

More Soon...

Autumn Comfort

We’re sliding ‘comfortably’ into Autumn here in Modica.

Very welcome Autumnal rain

However, I do have to say that although I’m now wearing a light jacket for my early morning walks these days … I’m still sporting shorts! Something I certainly wasn’t doing this time last year.
There are other subtle signs that this year, thus far, the weather’s ended up being both milder and kinder.
Like the fact that ‘my babies’ (my cactuses) are still outside on our terrace.
Now, as I keep extensive records(!), I note that in 2023 I last watered them all on Thursday 19th October, and that all my small and/or ‘cold-intolerant’ cacti had been moved indoors on Saturday 4th November. The latter due to the temperature dropping to below 10 celcius. Which, this year, isn’t predicted to happen for at least the next 10 days, which is great!
‘Great’ for two reasons: One minor; one fairly major.
The ‘minor’ one being that they get to enjoy the sunshine longer this year, hopefully making their dormancy period shorter. And yes, many do ‘sleep’ over Winter.
So, what’s that ‘major’ reason then? Well … that’d be the fact that Alice don’t like my babies being in the house. Apparently, they take up too much room; I’m being way too fussy; and they’re an annoyance in general!
Having said all that: I just know she loves ‘em as much as I do.
And we’re both so uber-happy to enjoy the still-warm/hot days, cooler evenings, and for now lighter mornings…

Slowing Down?

At this time of year, as far as public entertainments concerned anyway, things are also slowing down.
Somewhat. I mean: (Almost) gone are the religious processions for this year; (nearly) over are the outdoor family occasions; and (about) finished are those athletic events along our street and alleys.
It’s a time for slowing down, for taking stock, and for reflecting on the year that’s been, given the next one’s practically just around the corner.
Sorry ‘bout the reminder it’s now only 55 days until Christmas, by the way!

"ChocoModica 2024"

Anyways, that’s what should be happening this time of year. But that isn’t really happening here. Because our comune are desperate to somehow keep the momentum going. Fighting against the seasonal tide to try and keep local euros, as well as those precious tourist euros, pounds, dollars, yen and yuan, flowing into Modica’s coffers.
Which they kinda have to do, given their current poor … fiscal situation.
Not that I’m complaining here, you have to understand! It’s great to be able to have an excuse to wrap up, get out and mingle with the other locals in the ‘depths’ of Winter.
So, what’s coming up then?
There’s this year’s three-day "ChocoModica" festival to (sort of) look forward to, come December. We’re not fans, but…
Then, we’re already three tribute bands into the eight tribute band "ReplaymusicFestival" concert series running every Saturday until late November.
And there’s much more coming along too.
Can’t say we’ll be getting bored here anytime soon.

Keep Busy!

One thing retirement (early and otherwise) has taught me is you gotta keep busy!
Do something. Hobby, interest, whatever. Just do … something!

A lesson hammered home when we walk about the city. Y'see, each and every day, without fail, at the main roundabout down here in Modica Bassa, you'll see a 'gaggle' of men, most of whom (though not all) are obviously well past retirement age.
I'm talking anywhere between a few and a crowd of up to several dozen.
Either just standing about in clumps talking (loudly) to and at each other, or else they've grabbed chairs from nearby restaurants and bars … and are then sitting there in clumps talking (loudly) to and at each other!
As an aside here: That latter activity has, in fact, seen at least one café here 'lock up' their chairs to prevent this!
Anyways, why are they there, and not elsewhere doing … something? Don't know.
Although one has to suspect that it's because they've been 'kicked out' of their respective homes by their long-suffering spouses, and told to stay away until it's 'pranzo time' (lunch time)? Because they do disappear around lunch time, only to reappear again mid-afternoon. And of course!
It's not just Sicilians either: Many of the older North Africans here also gather about in their own clumps dotted about the roundabout. Although they’ll do so in their own areas: There's no mingling, I'm afraid.
You’ll not see the older women here doing the same thing.

More Soon...

Harvest Time

September has rolled around once again.

As it always seems to! My favourite month because what’s not to love?

It’s the month when olive-pressing begins in Sicily. Albeit early harvesting, with the bulk being carried out from October.
And my favourite: Grape-picking season is in full swing here too! At least for the white wine varieties, their season actually began last month, although some were picked way back in July.
It’s the picking of the red wine varieties that’ll be kicking off this month. Those who know me, will know this is my favourite type of vino.
I’m f’sure looking forward to the first Vino novello making an appearance on my local supermarket shelves in late October. Vino novello (‘young’ or ‘new wine’) is a light and fruity red wine similar to its French ‘cousin’ Beaujolais nouveau.
As an aside here: Global warming has a hand when it comes to harvest times. The bulk of the white wine grapes being ready weeks earlier this year than last, while in 1980 the reds used to be picked as late as November!
Anyways, soon enough there’ll be figs (my wife’s favourite), and not forgetting the lovely Fichi d’India (‘Indian Figs’ or ‘Prickly Pears’). The latter cactus fruit not to be confused with the former, of course! These ‘figs’ being another favourite of mine, due to my love of cactuses, and the ‘Opuntia’ varieties especially!
We can’t ignore peaches, plums, zucchini, eggplant and peppers either.
Seasonal fruit and veges are awesome!

(Mostly) Sweet Memories

I’ve now reached, as Sinatra aptly put it: “The warm September of my years.”

I may’ve mentioned I love this month? Vine and cactus harvests aside, it’s an uber-important month for both me and mine. A month of anniversaries and birthdays.
Not all of ‘em good!
On Monday the 14th September 2015 I was ambulanced to Auckland Hospital due to having a suspected heart attack.
The second possible one as it happened. I’d shrugged off the first late the week before as … not a heart attack, surely? Doofus me!
Anyways, that life-changing event out of the way now, let’s move onto better things also worth remembering.
Like the one that occurred 10 days later, but 27 years prior: Saturday the 24th September 1988. The day I got married, thirty-six years ago now. Don’t time fly when you’re having fun, huh Alice?
The very next day, the 25th September 1988, was my then-30th birthday.
My 66th this year. While certainly a time to celebrate having made it this far, even betterer: On Wednesday 25th September 2024 I get my UK pension. Surely a double celebration! I talk about making it this far because my father died at 47, and his father at 58, so I’m doing just fine.
And we simply can’t forget Saturday the 26th September 2020, can we?
That day four years ago when we boarded the 11.45am EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Catania, Sicily. Our one-way flight, that is. Of course!
Can’t grumble!

The Greatest Gift

The greatest celebration of all began on Tuesday the 17th September 2024.

Happy memories, Windsor, UK

Why? Because that’s when our eldest son Adam arrived at Catania Airport, after flying all the way from Wellington, New Zealand, to be here with us.
A wonderful day! One made even better when our youngest son Anton arrived the very next day, coming in from New York.
What more could any parent ask for? “Nothing!” is the short (and very sweet) answer.
While this is Anton’s second visit to Modica, it’s Adam’s first, which was the icing on the cake.
Speaking of cake here? Things got even more special because Sunday the 29th September marked Adam’s birthday! So, not only are we a complete family again after many years apart, it’s also a chance to mark our first-born’s special day together once again. As we used to do many years ago now, of course!
I believe ‘fortunately’, but anyways we raised both of our sons to experience the world: To travel; to encounter; and to enjoy. The upside being men who don’t mind leaping into the almost-unknown by jumping on a plane and going to foreign parts to live and work: France, Canada, the United States, as well as the more ‘mundane’ NZ and UK…
The downside (perhaps) is that we raised ‘gypsies’, who are happy to up and move about the planet, while we’ve now settled down in this rural city in Sicily.
But such is life!
I wouldn’t want ‘em to change…

More Soon...

Lack of Promise

I don’t like talking (much) about politicians, unless they directly affect my life.

However, I will write about our Sindica (Mayor), as she does do just that, of course!

The joke is: “How can you tell when a politician is lying?” The answer: “When they open their mouth...” Old jokes aside, this is the situation we’re facing here because, sadly, our mayor f’sure falls into this category!
One ‘for instance’ here: “Creating alarmism … doesn’t belong to my way of operating, which is instead aimed at addressing problems...”
While allowing the comune-appointed Polizia Locale (Local Police) to dwindle down to ten near-retirement-age officers for a city of 55,000. Remembering they also police the local seaside resort, and the countryside around the city.
How about: “The transparent actions of our administration, through information and citizen participation, continues.”
Now that same administration did put out a single-paragraph Facebook page notice in mid-June stating there’s a ban on drinking the local water unless it’s boiled first. But that was it, and it remained unmentioned by the mayor on her own Facebook feed. Okay, the comune did also issue a notice on their official website: Four days after that first notification!
Following a beach clean-up: “My thanks as mayor ... and of our entire administration to IGM and its excellent operators.”
While not paying said ‘excellent operators’ for 14 months! You couldn’t make this stuff up.
It’d be absolutely hilarious (and kind of is!) … if it wasn’t so very frustrating!

“What Offer?”

Guess the first thing just about everyone said to us when we announced we were moving to Sicily?

Not in our neighbourhood!

If’n you guessed: “What about the mafia?” then congratulations!
One friend went as far as to state they were just about everywhere, and how would we know we wouldn’t end up living next door to a mafioso? A northern Italian friend, I point out here. A stereotypical response right there, I’m afraid.
Do the "Cosa Nostra" (their name) still exist here? Yessum.
Do they still run rackets here? F’sure!
Are they dangerous? Absolutely!
But did we find ourselves living next door to a mafia ‘family’? No, we didn’t!
And that’s because they aren’t, in fact, everywhere: As soon as you step off the plane, you won’t find yourself being made: “An offer you can’t refuse...”
Talking of airports? A regional government official recently called on Sicilian airports to remove from sale all mafia-related ‘souvenirs’. He called for a more dignified representation of the island, one free from negative stereotypes. Given airports are often the first point of contact for visitors, of course.
Now, can you find the mafia here in Ragusa province?
The answer to that is (sadly): Of course. Several ‘families’ are well-known to be operating in Vittoria, Acate and Comiso. Someway down the road, I hasten to point out!
But I’m more worried about petty crime in Modica, than being the target of a ‘hit’.
Let’s remember: Sicily is not the mafia; any more than New York is...

Seeking Balance

In between the ‘dodgy’ local politicians and the ‘nearby’ (but not neighbouring!) mafia, there’s still much to celebrate here.

And 'Yes' ... I'm a Libra...

Otherwise we wouldn’t have chosen to settle here, amongst all the other places we could’ve chosen in south-eastern Sicily.
Now doing research in the comfort of our then-home in London, as I did over four years ago now, is a wee bit different from having boots on the ground here in Modica. Were there surprises? Of course! And some, naturally, were unpleasant in nature.
For instance, I ‘knew’ that the Italian burocrazia (bureaucracy) would indeed by ‘crazy’. I just didn’t realise quite how bad it’d be, is all!
Then I’d read about the neglect and general ‘rundownedness’ of the local historic sights, but didn’t fully realise the (sometimes heartbreaking) extent until we got here.
But, as also promised by said research: The sun does shine most of the year; the cost of living is more than bearable; the legendary friendliness of the locals is just that; and the wine is immensely quaffable.
So mustn’t grumble! Although I still will, because I’m ‘officially’ a grumpy old man now...
My long-suffering wife will tell you that “swings and roundabouts” is one of my favourite quotes. And, by some miracle, we’ve somehow managed to establish our ‘kiwi4everhome’ in a place that has more swings than roundabouts, I have to say.
Something I am immensely thankful for each and every day…

More Soon...