We picked up the keys to our home on the 29th of July.
And, besides the usual challenges with moving into a new home, we’ve been busy these past three months assembling furniture.
Y’see, we sold or gave away what furniture we had in NZ before moving to the UK.
And in London, we’d been lucky enough to rent a semi-furnished house. So all we’d had to do there was buy a bed, and a couple of chests of drawers.
Done on the understanding we’d get what we needed once in our forever home.
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| Luckily, not a problem. |
Now I know it sounds like hard work, and/or boring, but we’ve actually been thoroughly enjoying it. In fact, Alice keeps pestering me about when the next shipment’s arriving. Go figure!
So far, we’ve assembled ... wait for it ... 28 individual pieces.
That’s everything from display to kitchen units, a shoe-and-coat stand to a dining table, bathroom units to outdoor furniture. And a 3x4m umbrella for the terrace! None of it Ikea.
We have another six pieces arriving soon too. Go us, right?
This option has worked out very well for us, as I’d put aside a substantial (and over-estimated) budget for furniture and fittings and, to date, we’ve only spent 44% of it. Not too bad at all.
‘Only’ need a new kitchen and double-glazing now!
Nomnom
Around midday, by way of goodbye, the locals may wish you instead ‘un buon pranzo’ (‘a good lunch’).
That’s because food’s important here.
Not just as sustenance: It’s more a way of life. It’s preparation and presentation, and subsequent eating and enjoying, are all paramount.
Shared with family and friends, or enjoyed by yourself, it doesn’t matter.
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| Sometimes ... size is everything! |
It’s all to die for! And it’s become a mantra with us: “Nonna’s cooking again...”
However, with it been such an essential part of a Sicilian’s very being, it comes with ‘rules’. And heaven help you if’n you don’t follow them!
For instance, Alice mentioned at a favourite cafe we’d be having würstels in (not ‘with’) a salad. The waiter was horrified! She got teased about this only yesterday ... and she’d said it months back.
The taste is so very different to what I’d (sadly) grown accustomed to in both NZ and the UK.
The tomatoes here actually taste sweet, like the fruit they are. Those white onions are delicious, and you can really taste the lettuce. And don’t get me started on the fruit!
Although, because it’s so fresh, you have to eat it quick. And check for slugs and snails.
F’sure that’s two problems I can live with!
Dionysus
The phrase "Wine, women, and song" encapsulates a far more hedonistic lifestyle than I live.
I mean, my lovely wife wouldn’t like me chasing other women, and I can’t sing a single note! However, it does contain one thing that’s forever been a big part of my ‘lifestyle’.
And that’s wine.
I’m not going to claim that that’s one of the (major) reasons I moved to Sicily, of course. But it f’sure has played a part.
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| In case you were confused...! |
When you can pick up a decent bottle of DOC wine for less than €3.00; a good one for less than €5.00; and a great one for €5.00 to €15.00, what’s not to love? Way cheaper when (often) on sale, of course.
My favourites, you may ask? That’s easy: Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria. In about that order, too.
Now yesterday, we went for a passeggiata (walk) to the far end of the main street.
Passing what was obviously a new business, we (naturally) asked the guy there what it was going to be? Long story short, he invited us to have a look: A wine bar. Oh joy!
We came away, after tasting some of his wares (free), with the remains of the bottle we’d been tasting.
Forget women and song, life don’t get much better that this!
