What we have been up to...

Simple post - and about time for another one I hear you say!

Well - we have been busy. Caitlin has this week off school for half term. The week leading up to it was full of tests, and a testing time it was too. Another new experience. She ahs been to three parties ove rthe last two weeks and is getting well into the social scene although finding the students very immature compared to what she is used to.

Alan and I have begun our Italian lessons. We go three mornings a week for about 10 weeks. It's an intensive 'Italiano per Stranieri' (Italian for foreigners/strangers/Aliens/immigrants) course. The lady running the course is lovely, with gorgeously Manchester accented English. The others in the course come from Germany, Holland, Russia, France and China; what a mix. All have a reasonable amount of English so that is the default language in the class.

Alan is getting in touch with a local rugby club and hoping to join them for the season in order to work on his fitness and as an opportunity to meet people his age. The social life here for him is slim and far from satisfying, although he is making friends.

Barry was quite sick for about three weeks but has finally come right with the aid of antibiotics. Work is a little stressful and getting more so, but different from home. He is getting into Karate here with a group about 20 mins down the autostrada. They have swapped his Kempo grading for the equivalent in Karate but he is finding it a little challenging as some things are the same and some quite different. Still, this is helping him to take a mental and physical break from the work stuff.

I've just finished working with a seminar group doing the same Master of Education programme I did back in 04/05. It was a fabulous opportunity and helped to restimulate the synapses. Also great to get a chance to give a little back to teh community from which I have got so much.

Sometime ago we meet a kiwi woman from Milano. She's been living here for about 18 years and has a 15yo son and 13yo daughter. They came to stay for a weekend a month ago and this weekend Natalie and Jess are coming to stay again. Caitlin and I will pick them up from Milan tomorrow and they train back on Sunday. Go the expats!

Going to be up to watch the All Blacks together 9am (our time - exactly 12 hours out from NZ time) Saturday morning. Think of us as you all watch the game... we're watching at the same time. Spooky really. Go BLACK!

Weather is turning much colder now, perhaps because the clocks changed last weekend. Today we really only made it to 10deg. The view of the lake is improving as autumn takes its toll on the trees. Caitlin said the trees are coated in honey wholegrain mustard leaves. It's a perfect description!