Noob
 

Hello, just been reading through a few threads and thought I'd sign up and make myself known before wading into other threads :)

I'm a longterm expat, originally from Surrey.
Been here more years than I care to mention in a first post :rofl:, and have lived in various parts of Italy during that time.
Married to an Italian since, ooh ages ago :blink:

Bit of a love/hate thing (still) going on as far as living in Italy is concerned, par for the course really, and even though I have no close family left in the UK, I get cabin fever if I don't get back there for a week or so on a regular basis...

Re: Noob
 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Funny you should mention the love/hate thing. We had a thread about that ages ago.

Have a read of it here if you like.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=relationship

Re: Noob
 

Hi and welcome. I too, have been here longer than I care to mention as have a few others. I also still need a U.K fix once in a while. We've had a few problems lately and we haven't been able to go for several months and it looks like being several more before we can go. Mum came xmas, but she may not be able to manage it again. Where are you from?
Moved home several times here in Northern Italy until hubby retired. He was a 'precoce' so he was able to retire early. Years ago we used to go down to San Felice Circeo every yr.

Re: Noob
 

37100 - are you still trying to fly into Manchester? One of the reasons I don't go back to see the relly's (I've been for a 21st and an 80th, all pretty much when we first moved here - not counting trips to London!!) is it isn't easy to get up north from Italy. I could fly into Gatwick and then hire a car or get the train but one is the extra cost and two the hassle. Having said that I do hire a car when I have been up there but do I want to drive for several hours via Birmingham to get there!! They've been here a couple of times, no more, so it's a hassle all round! I think if I didn't have Antonia in school here (so no hols to speak of) and Alex was happy to go up there in his hols, which he isn't, I'd go more often!! My sister wanted me to visit after Christmas, but the best flights were out of Milan!! Not doing that on my own with a case and Antonia!! Then when the good flights do come in it's summer - which comes with all its own challenges!!;)

Re: Noob
 

In my dreams. Hubby only just on the mend and my MIL needs an op so I can't go even though mum has been very ill. Nothing life threatening, but at her age it's always a possibility. She needs another op so might have to go. At the moment she is trying to get transfered back to a hospital in Manchester. That Malpensa flight is really the only direct flight, but I might as well pay a bit more and fly Lufthansa changing in Germany as Malpensa is 2hrs away. It's that or Ryanair Bergamo to Liverpool.:( We get a pre-booked taxi from Liverpool. It's £70 return. The news promised some low cost flights to the north of uk from Verona next year, but who knows.:confused: I could stay with family in the south, but I don't like to. Xmas mum went down to London by train, stayed over (managed to get a very good offer at an airport hotel). She didn't book a stay over on the way back, but even though she was caught up in the snow, they just manage to get a train to the north because everything was running late.

Re: Noob
 

You could try Jet2.

They fly from Venice to Manchester.

Re: Noob
 

jet2 is seasonally so not an option in winter and the times are worse than Ryanair. Also, unless you manage to get a €2 flight they are dear. I tried booking one, but by the time I got to the end the flight was no longer available.:sneaky:

Re: Noob
 

Yeah I know. They only run from April to October. Not sure what we'll do at Xmas now that easyjet is no longer an option.

Re: Noob
 

What happened to Blackpool expanding its airport?? I guess that just never happened...!:confused:

Re: Noob
 

That was only ever going to happen if Blackpool got the casino. It didn't and Ryanair closed it's Blackpool London flight straight away. Would be handy because it's only a few stops on the bus. They still sell themselves as Blackpool International.:rofl:

Re: Noob
 

Aww! Not sure if that is cute or just pathetic!! Can't believe they stopped the casino!! I'd forgotten that.

Re: Noob
 

My mum and dad fly Malpensa to Manchester with FlyBe. Prices are okay if you plan ahead and are flexible. I know Milan is a long long way from Florence.

Re: Noob
 

We usually fly BA or Easyjet to Gatwick, Stanstead or Liverpool (from Naples) - but then its a hassle to get to Hull. Coming back is even worse if we don't get a lift off someone, as the trains don't get us there early enough to get the flights so we'd have to stay over night in London or Liverpool!

Re: Noob
 

The trains have gone up too. Only takes 1hr 45mins now but last time for 4 of us it cost 182 one way. We could've got a family ticket, but only by queuing up for the ticket office, the machine in Milan wasn't selling them. Tbh, the main reason not to go through Milan is the train station. If there was somewhere to sit and have a coffee rather than one dreadful cafe it would help. Plus the concourse has about 40 seats for the whole of that enormous station. I know there is a waiting room but it is downstairs and not exactly convenient, it is the worst train station here I've been to and I've been to a few!!:thumbdown:

Re: Noob
 

Thank you :)

I just read it but it appears to have been locked so I'll add my loves and hates here

Love

Being a short drive from Rome and not so far from Florence either.
Knowing the weather will remain nice once the Summer kicks in.
Our beach, which is part of the Parco Nazionale del Circeo, and not full of deckchairs/Lidos etc.
The choice and price of shoes and handbags at the weekly market here :eek:
Proper pizza and not that pseudo pizza you get in the UK.
The fact that there aren't drunken teens reeling about with their knickers on show on a Saturday Night.
Pastiera Napoletana, Cannoli Siciliani and Strufoli :thumbsup:
Telegiornales - so much better than English ones.

Hates

Jobsworths in council offices :sneaky:
The postage fees, depending on size of envelope :rolleyes:
People cutting me up when I am on my bike :frown:
The way so many Italians won't try food which is not familiar to them.
The way they seek out tortellini etc whilst abroad!
The way they keep their own homes spotless (too spotless for my taste) but don't give a toss about civic pride.
The obsession with not being sat in a draught (even when it's 80° in the shade) and the donning of cardigans at first whiff of a breeze.
Fur coats
Dressing up smart just to collect the kids from school.
Saying 'Permesso' when they are about to enter your home. Just walk in!
Obligatory double air kisses, especially at large family gatherings where everyone has to kiss everyone else. ARGH.
Sitting babies and toddlers on laps in front seat of car.
Shop assistants who don't acknowledge you apart from taking the money (the total for which you have read on the till as she didn't tell you), and never saying please or thank you during the transaction.
My SiL making us stand and pray out loud whilst holding hands in 13 of us round the table at Easter before she'll feed us :huh: I haven't been down for the last three Easters. I have nothing against praying but not when it's forced on me. :thumbdown:
My SiL, when her daughters were young, bringing her own pasta and chicken cutlets for them, in case I fed them 'furren'. To cook in my kitchen. On Christmas Day :sneaky:

OOps, I seem to have more Hates than Loves :rofl:

Re: Noob
 

Welcome Nef.... I'd have more hates than loves too... I don't start as I'm scared I'd never stop!! ;)

Re: Noob
 

Hi Noob,
We have just relocated back to London ( for ever or not, just giving it a go again)......, it's brill!!!!!
Weather sunny and warm ( at mo), parks to die for, can listen in on conversations and understand them, food ( chocs, brown sauce, and all the other stuff)....My son and his new babies are a short car journey, the list is endless...Italy, do I miss it? Well only been here for 2 weeks but, I haven't given it a moments thought... and the ex-pat friends I made there? Who? ;)

Re: Noob
 

Whereabouts in London are you Gio? I go back every 3 or 4 months just for a quick visit. I go to a friends near Greenwich,as I used to live near there and still have my Dentist/banks etc there.
Good luck with the move and I hope you will be happy.

Re: Noob
 

I've got a hate about GB, at about 4 in the afternoon the town is empty and the day seems over.At that time over here I'm just thinking about going out.I must add that I live near to the centre of Naples(not the central station but near the sea)I do have plenty of moans about living here but things are a bit better now with online tv,British food which is easy to order and some things are even in the shops(PGtips etc.)But my best friends are British. I have lots of Italian ones but it's just not quite the same.

Re: Noob
 

That's so true about Italian friends not being the same. I have many and we get on great, but..
I think it's the lack of shared history, you know, what it was like being a teen, what Monty Python was all about (showing my age here) and laughing at the same sort of stuff, like Julian Clary and The Office.
I find that hard, as British Comedy is so brilliantly wicked, and I often feel that Italy is still in the Keystone Cops/Custard Pie league in that sense.

Re: Noob
 

My Italian friend (married to an English bloke) wanted me to explain to her what the deal was with the 'Man in the blue box'... I was a bit blank for a while before realising that she wanted me to explain about Doctor Who and why we all found it so fascinating.... it's a part of our collective culture isn't it and can't be explained.... same with Blackadder.... and if you say 'Don't tell him your name Pike!' it has us all in fits of laughter but it really pees her right off!

Re: Noob
 

Monty Python... Julian Clary... Funny? You're having a larf!

Re: Noob
 

Duffer mate I grew up with Monty Python, they were all geniuses :rofl:
The Dead Parrot sketch still kills me.
Look up the speech John Cleese did at Graham Chapman's funeral :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkxCHybM6Ek

Italians just wouldn't understand that.

Re: Noob
 

Monty Python :thumbsup:

The Office :thumbdown: but Extra's :thumbsup:

Julian Clary only when seen live at The Hacienda in Manchester when he first started...:p with Fanny the wonder dog in tow...

Dad's Army!!!!!!!!!!!!:blink:

Blackadder :thumbsup::thumbsup: especially with Queenie...:thumbup:

Dr Who :thumbup:

Re: Noob
 

I tell you what I like watching currently, in no particular order -

Family Guy
How I Met Your Mother
The Inbetweeners
Facejacker
The Flight of the Conchords
and of course
Friends

Re: Noob
 

I HATE Family Guy!!!:sneaky: Sexist, stoopid nonsense - OH and son think it's wonderful and American Dad....:p

You're seriously still watching friends??! Wow! I've seen the whole series on a torrent, was tempted but 26 GB was way too much!!

Current faves are: CSI, Bones, Desperate Housewives, Dr Who, Grey's Anatomy and any films I can grab off the net...Latest epic John Woo being a favourite..:D

Re: Noob
 

What, no 'Without a Trace'?
Jack Malone mmmmmm :)

Re: Noob
 

Not sure I've ever seen it....Most of my "tv" is on torrents now, so I'm going for specific ones. My son loves Chuck and I like what I've seen of Glee. I should probably start watching Sky again, currently it's only my daughter who watches for the kids progs - expensive just for that!!:blink:

Re: Noob
 

Without a Trace is good, as is Cold Case.

Re: Noob
 

Cold Case I liked and Medium was okay too when I watched. They are kind of like Bones, but Bones makes me laugh out loud it is soooo stoopid!! Great fun!! I watch CSI for the serious stuff, unless they are having a one of their freaky moments too! Now Laurence Fishburne is in it they did a Matrix type one a few months ago!! So funny!!:D:

Re: Noob
 

i thought yous lot were talking about 'comedies' not the other rubbish mentioned

Re: Noob
 

Can I suggest you seek out Derek and Clive on YouTube duffer? ;)
My own personal favourite is 'This bloke came up to me the other day...'

Re: Noob
 

I thought everyone was watching British tv now.About comedy, there is just nothing funny on Italian tv except politics sometimes and the elections back in Blighty are starting to be quite funny too.Anyone still vote back there?

Re: Noob
 

i thought about voting either way to get rid of brown, but dont matter who is in power they are all full of $h#t. so probably wont vote!
ill be in italy as soon as possible anyhow.

Re: Noob
 

I have voted by post.... hope it gets there in time... posted it on thurs :-?

Re: Noob
 

Why British tv? Only thing worth watching is Dr Who!! We watched it in Spain where my OH only has the freeview channels and it was all repeats, reality shows or dross....A few decent US shows but repeats again!! I'd either seen them here already, 'cos the UK sticks them on the pay channels first (as does SKY here too, but I pay for it here.) or on the internet...Even Top Gear has lost it's sparkle, I think they now have to try too hard and it ain't funny anymore..:thumbdown:

Re: Noob
 

I've watched quite a few documentaries on ch.4;I thought "One born every minute "was British TV at it's best.I also love,QI, Have I got news for you and Frank Skinners Opinionated.I admit I also watch Eastenders and a few property programmes but what the hell.

Re: Noob
 

I'd forgotten QI, we did watch that and it was funny. The quiz shows like that are Brit tv at it's best - luckily can still access the radio versions through the net! ;):thumbup:

Btw, I'm winding you up. I don't like most British tv and really don't miss it, but I do think peoples attachment to it is funny! Almost like my Crunchie obsession, but I think that is easier to satisfy!! There are series I would've liked to have seen or kept up with like Robin Hood and Merlin, but I'm really not that bothered. My tv obsession is US based, so CSI etc and those I would miss!! I also just got into Grey's Anatomy in the most recent series, which I find really strange for me, I justify it because the actor who played Vorenus in Rome is now a regular!!:thumbup: My daughter, 6, watched an episode with me the other night and was thrilled to see Patrick Dempsey - he was in Enchanted, a Disney film she loves! (It is also very funny!)

Re: Noob
 

You see I love British Telly... we love Gardener's world, we like Countryfile... Lewis starts again tonight on ITV!! Dr Who, Merlin, Robin Hood for the kids. I love Q1, Outnumbered recently (that child reminds me so much of H!!!!!), Mock the Week... I will still watch reruns of The Goodlife and all those kinda things... my TV viewing is very much influenced by spending so much time with my Grandparents when I was growing up i think!! I remember watching a Spike Lee film with my Grandparents (can't remember which now) and about 10minutes in my Granddad piped up: 'Do they have to use the word Mother***ker so much??' I thought that was hilarious... I don't watch as much US telly as I used to... I do like Grey's Anatomy... I also love the silliness of Scrubs and the Simpsons too but I dunno, as I get older I get more anti-American... don't know why... :confused:

Re: Noob
 

Whereas I've gone the other way! Maybe growing up with the original viewings of Steptoe and Dad's Army etc. which I hated then and still do, has influenced my viewing! Couldn't stand I love Lucy or Mary Tyler Moore either though, so can't be that! Having said that my dad (who would be 98 if still alive!) was a huge fan of Dr Who, The A-Team, Starskey and Hutch, Cagney and Lacey and all the cop shows. My faves now, CSI, Bones, Dr Who, see a pattern?! :thumbsup: