Thinking of Moving?

Several years ago – well 5 actually – I wrote a couple of posts about houses/homes with a difference.  The Water Tower was one such and subsequently, I received an email from the woman who bought the tower and was making her home there.  Unfortunately, she didn’t respond to my request for photos of the finish.  And another time I wrote about Castles for sale.

Well during a cold autumn day, while reading the newspaper I came across an article on ancient Italian buildings for sale.  From ancient castles, monasteries, convents, and towers to old farmhouses, schools and inns, over 100 properties are being given away for free by the State Property Agency which has joined with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage to carry out the new scheme, under which the country’s majestic yet dilapidated properties are handed over free of charge to entrepreneurs who commit to restoring  them to their original splendour and open them to the public as restaurants, hotels or spas.

Successful bidders will be given a 9-year lease with the possibility to extend it for a further 9-years.

We are told, “Successful applicants will be given an ‘Art Bonus’, available through a government scheme launched in 2015 which grants tax breaks on art-related charitable donations, such as for the maintenance and restoration of historic buildings.”

Abandoned Castle in Puglia

 

Abandoned Rural School in Puglia

So if the idea of living in a castle, monastery or old school appeals, you have until June 26 to make an offer.

More information from The Telegraph here.

“I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I
can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, 1832-1888

Note photos courtesy of The Telegraph.

 

 

News of Andy

That Andy is becoming a world traveller.  Not only has he been to Florida,  Texas, Virginia Beach and Iowa we now learn that he is getting out his passport once again to visit Darlene in Victoria, BC.  We know he has a passport because he recently spent some time with us in New Zealand.

This looks like a good place to rest

Andy appears to make himself at home wherever he lands.  He was very tired after his long journey from Texas to Wellington and quickly found himself a comfortable place to rest.

He is a cheerful little chap and everyone just loves him.  He visited several places with us (that’s Lotte and me) and the folk at the local hospice particularly enjoyed his visits.  On several occasions I have been asked by staff members where he is and they are all agog at the fun we are having with this ‘white elephant armadillo.

Checking he is in the right place and looking for his friends

He started out at Lenore Diane’s house in Georgia and then somehow convinced Lenore Diane that he needed to see the world.  Some of my fellow bloggers are multi talented and that LD even speaks Armadillo.  Who would have guessed? And is that a form of Cajun French or Louisiana French?

There’s room on this chair for two

He not only gets on well with humans but dogs love him too.  Well Lotte at least tolerated him but was no doubt pleased to have her chair and her place in the car back once Andy left.

If you are interested in seeing where Andy has been and catching up on some of his travels (he even went to Beijing  and Shanghai with Beth Ann and her lovely husband) go to Lenore Diane’s Adventures of Andy page.

Thanks to Lenore Diane for starting this and to all those other bloggers who have joined in.

It’s My Birthday and I’ll ….

Today is my birthday. “You’re how old? ‘” I hear you say. Well I make no excuses for having lived so long and for enjoying the ride (for the most part).

Oh there have been bumps along the way – the death of my mother, followed shortly thereafter by my husband and then my father a few years later.  But I have been blessed with a happy marriage, two great children, their spouses and their children.

I have been privileged to see many parts of this wonderful world and in my travels have met many who have since become my real friends.  I have also lived in other parts of this world; moving from London to Glasgow with my handsome young Scotsman;

Glasgow today – courtesy Wikipedia

Then when he was transferred we had two years living on the beach in Auckland;

The beach at Takapuna

then to Montreal.  This wasn’t so pleasant.  It was in 1969/70 when the French Separatists were very active.  The children’s school and the local mail boxes were bombed; the police went on strike one memorable day and Bob worked far too many hours each day.

View of Montreal today – – courtesy Wikipedia

Then back to New Zealand to the beach and eventually to Wellington, where I live very happily now.

The Harbor, Wellington

So today is my day.  I am sitting at the computer blogging away; reading other people’s blogs and making no attempt to tidy the house, weed the garden or the myriad of other things that need doing.

Today I am having drinks with friends early this afternoon before going off to dinner with some others.  My only regret is that many of my friends live in other parts of the country or the world and can’t join me for a celebration.  However, the phone has been ringing off the hook and emails have been coming in.  Don’t you just love the internet?  It makes keeping in touch so easy.

Some blogs I have found or been directed to :

• Skiing Mama
• Thyme For Cooking;
• The Atkins Family
• Why Don’t I Have a Whisk
• Julie’s blog

and a couple of sites that I particularly like –

• Ancient Pathways and
• Ellen Wood‘ s site.

So I will raise a glass of whatever you drink, to my old friends and to all my new friends I have found in the blogging world.

And to those who share my birthday, here is a gift for you.So until tomorrow.  Take care and remember Alice’s words

“But I don’t want to go among mad people”, said Alice. “Oh, you can’t help that”, said the cat. “We’re all mad here.”