Feeling hot hot hot...

Hello from cloudy England!

Once again I am writing from the UK. I know, I know, this is supposed to be a blog about Italy, and in fact I fully intend to write about Italy. Today, dear readers, I am going to write about the recent heatwave in Italy. Here is a picture of said heatwave:

Well, more or less anyway. To the right, just out of view, it reads: CALDO INTENSO E AFOSO. A rough translation of this would be: BLOODY HOT. 

At the start of July I took a short trip home to the UK to see my parents' new house in Norfolk (which, by the way, is delightful). After a few days of rest, relaxation and eating lots of fish and chips, I was once again Italy bound. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I always get cold on planes. Is it just me, or do they really whack up the air con to frighteningly cool levels? Anyway, in preparation for this I wore jeans and a jumper. Well done Amy. Two hours later, as I stepped onto the tarmac at Pescara, I was already plotting how I could sneak back onto that chilly plane. There was no air. You couldn't breathe. The heat hit you and smothered you. OK OK I'm being a tad dramatic (just a tad, mind) and I was wearing jeans and a jumper, the latter of which I removed IMMEDIATELY, not caring about my wildly flailing arms as I struggled to get the thing off amidst all the other passengers surrounding me. I wanted my cool, British air back. Oh, and did I mention, this was at 9pm? Uff.

Anyway, I naively believed (along with millions of other Italians probably), that this heatwave would last a few days, a week at most, then flutter off back where it came from and leave us with a nice 29/30 degrees during the day. Well, it didn't quite play out like that. 

Until the very moment that I got back on the plane to come back to England again for a longer stay, said heatwave did not cease. Not for one moment. For three whole weeks. Well, we did have a storm and a drop of rain (which I stood out in and enjoyed...much to the bewilderment of bystanders...possibly due to the fact that I was yelling YES! YES! ...ahem) but fast forward half an hour an the air had become even hotter than before. 

At first, it was just hot. Then the nights got hotter. No bed sheets, fan pointed directly at my face as I slept. Well, I say slept. 4 or 5 hours a night was a good quantity if I was lucky. Gallons of water. Three showers a day. And the SWEATING. Oh dear readers, simply SITTING became a sweat inducing activity. For a while I continued to apologise for it. Then I was too hot and tired to even do that. I simply couldn't wait to get back to England for a beautiful, cool night's sleep. I complained every day to anyone who would listen (and even those who wouldn't). Even the Italians couldn't believe it. (The heatwave, not my complaining. But probably also that too.) 

But for fear of being a negative Nancy (who, me?), I do wish to point out that it wasn't all bad. The small amount of time that I wasn't complaining/sweating/not sleeping/putting my face dangerously close to the fan, I tried my best to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine: trips to the beach, evening swims, mountains of gelato and several glorious sunsets. One evening I took a dip in the sea at 8pm and I have to say that it was simply beautiful.

Yep, heat makes me jump.

So there you have it. That's how a Brit copes (or indeed, doesn't cope. At all) with a heatwave. Seek out shade, copious amounts of gelato, and bodies of water in which to immerse yourself. Oh, and air conditioning. FIND AIR CONDITIONING. Let's just say that I was nowhere near my jeans and jumper for the flight back to the UK this time...

In the summetime...

...the weather in southern Italy is GLORIOUS. And also BOILING. But instead of just going on about how darn hot it is, I thought I would make a little list to illustrate exactly what it's like to experience summer here the heel of the boot. So, here it is:

1. Summer will arrive suddenly. One minute you're still in your jeans and a jacket and the next? You're wondering if it's acceptable to walk around in your smalls because it's so ridiculously warm (just for the record, it's not).

2. Sweating will become part of your daily life, and it'll be tricky to find a deodorant that will prevent you from leaving sweat marks all over your t-shirt. The good thing is, however, that people here don't seem to care too much. A shiny face or a few damp underarms don't seem to bother anybody. Being smelly on the other hand, does. So make sure you wash.

3. Between the hours of 12pm and about 5pm during the high summer, there will be no-one, I repeat, NO-ONE, on the streets. At this time of day it's simply impossible to be outside, and so people either choose to sleep, or at least relax in their air conditioned houses, if they're lucky enough to have them.

4. When people do venture outside, their walking pace will become tortoise-like. People here walk slowly enough as it is, so add in a nice 35°C to the mix and everyone becomes practically stationary.

5. Shops don't really stock chocolate any more. As you all know, heat plus chocolate equals goo. Ice cream, which is already goo but at least it's cold goo, will become your regular sugar fix.

6. When mid June comes around, everyone will start going to the beach. Understandably so, because in the towns and cities it's just far too hot. If you're looking for a peaceful beach day, avoid Sundays, as all the of lidi become jam packed. Screaming children to the left, dialect-speaking (or-yelling) families to the right and in front? A whole host of speedo-clad men.

7. Even though it's scorching outside and the only thing you feel like eating is a light salad, Italians will still continue to eat pasta dishes for lunch. Yes, this is probably why all they can do in the afternoon is sleep.

8. In the summertime, despite the extreme sweatiness and the fact that you don't have any energy whatsoever, la dolce vita really begins. Lazy beach days, shorts and sandals, endless amounts of gelato (or maybe that's just me?) and long, summer evenings of aperitivi and cocktails. What more could you ask for?

Hello April!

Well can you believe it. It's actually April now. A whole week into April! (Don't worry, not all of this post will be in short sharp sentences which express my disbelief at how quickly time is passing by). Soon, the Spring will be in full flow (it's got off to a pretty good start) and then of course, those long, balmy days of summer will arrive. This (pasty) Brit absolutely can't wait. There comes a point when getting all snuggled up in comfy warm jumpers, drinking hot chocolate and enjoying hearty soups gets a bit, well, old. For the last month or two I have been impatiently waiting for warmer days where I can switch to a light jacket and enjoy daylight until 7pm.

Two Sundays ago, myself and my man headed to Termoli, which is a lovely resort town in Molise; just north of the region of Puglia. In the Summer it's packed with people and a hefty dose of international tourists too, who can't get enough of the gorgeous beaches, lively bars and seafood restaurants. The well-restored historical part of town is the perfect place to have a nice little stroll (whether it's summer or winter), and this is exactly what we did that Sunday afternoon; ice cream in hand of course. We weren't the only ones who had this idea however, as the town was absolutely packed with people. It seems as though I'm not the only one who is craving that Spring feeling! Here are a few photos that I took (minus the hoards of people of course). Isn't the sea so beautifully calm?

Have a great week! :D

Summer days...?!

So, I'm sat here at my computer, with my balcony doors wide open, wearing jeans and a VEST. Yes folks, you read that correctly. Here in the south, the weather is GORGEOUS. So gorgeous in fact, that yesterday we decided to head to the beach. I was still a little unsure about subjecting my feet to the still icy sea, but, after a long winter, I was finally able to feel the sand between my toes. And it was amazing.

So here's hoping that, after several recent 'weather optimistic' blog posts, the spring actually HAS arrived, and will very quickly turn into summer. Days at the beach, 'mandatory' afternoon naps due to the intense heat and of course, the perfect excuse to indulge in a LOT of gelato. Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, I think I speak for everyone when I say:

BRING ON THE SUMMER! 

Have a great day!

Oh we do like to be beside the seeeaaasiiiiiide...ALL of us!!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love the beach? I've also proabably said several times how much I'm fond of Italians. And summer holidays.

But beach+Italians+summer holidays?

Good grief. 

Now, as it's August, and especially around the time of Ferragosto, Italians flock to the beach. And I mean, why shouldn't they? They're on holiday and the beach is the only place to really cool off when it's 40 degrees. They take their towels, their beach bags, their picnic, their children/aunts/uncles/grandparents, their rubber rings and then another 20 beach bags just in case. My boyfriend's brother even takes a mini slide for the little ones. (It is quite adorable watching them splash about) This means that the beach gets super crowded. And I mean super crowded.

Like I said, I heart the beach. But I may avoid the lidi during this busy period. As much as I try to absorb myself in my book (more Sophie Kinsella...in English this time, shame on me), it's no use. I become one with the mass. Bring on September, slightly cooler (hopefully) temperatures and not-so-crowded beaches :D

Lots of folk (but ohhh look at the gorgeous sky...)

The sea's over there somewhere

Can you tell the Italian feet from the English feet?!

Life's a beach...

...with the odd sandcastle on it!

This weekend I spent some time with my boyfriend and his family at the beach. We swam, we sunbathed, we had a fantastic barbecue and, of course, we made a sandcastle. I'm definitely 25 going on 5. It was a lot of fun though! :D

Location: Torremileto, Italy 

I know English spelling is tricky, but....

I do have a bit of a chuckle when I see English used incorrectly abroad. Maybe it's because I'm a teacher, or maybe it's because it's just hilarious to know that they simply didn't bother checking before they wrote it.

Or in this case, printed a load of deckchairs with it on.

Have a fantastic Saturday evening! :D

sweaty betty!

I love hot weather. I love Italy because during the summer, the weather is gorgeous and definitely hot. So surely, during this sunny July, I shouldn't be complaining about it being too hot, right? Errrm.....

In case you haven't heard on the news recently, we are currently smack bang in the middle of some seriously hot weather.

The anti-cyclone 'Charon' is the reason for this intense heat. Hot air is making its way from Algeria and Tunisia, and settling quite happily all over Italy. According to sources online and national newspapers, there are 15 cities on 'red alert'. In other words, it's damn hot.

In my town over the past few days, we've seen temperatures of about 34 to 39 degrees C. In Foggia, the nearest big city however, they have experienced over 40.Going outside, especially between the hours of 12 and 5, is like stepping into a sauna. And travelling by car is rather hellish. The streets are dessert ed at this time of day, because people here, even though they are used to high temperatures, are inside trying to avoid the heat. 

The shops are selling fans for the home and women are carrying little hand held ones. Those without air conditioning look positively knackered, because during the night it's near impossible to sleep. Those who are lucky enough to have air conditioning (myself included, and I am eternally grateful) have it on full blast and aren't budging from their cool houses. Needless to say my boyfriend (who is sans air conditioning) is spending rather a lot of time at my flat recently.

So how does one cope with such high temperatures? Particularly a Brit, or someone from a much cooler country (because yes, I am fully aware that there are any countries much hotter than this one...and I definitely couldn't live in them! :D ) could try the following (or at least, this is what works for me!):

• Drink a ridiculous amount of water. Yes, it means way more bathroom trips but it's worth it!!
• Cool showers, especially to cool down before you go to bed. I did this when I was in Kenya.
• If you have air conditioning, of course use it. But not during the night, as you may wake up feeling a bit groggy. 
• Go to the beach if you can. And plonk yourself in the sea. The sea breeze will help as well.
• Use a decent amount of suncream, obviously. Heatstroke, or even sunburn, isn't pleasant.
• Don't go out between 12 and 4 in the afternoon. Do your shopping/chores early in the morning or in the evening. 
• Eat lots of cool, fresh fruit. I particularly like pineapple, and my boyfriend loves watermelon.
• And finally, eat ice cream or ice lollies. I can't get enough of Callipos!

This heat is meant to continue for the next week or so. If you're also in Italy, or an expat in a similar situation, I hope you get some slightly more pleasant temperatures soon! 

Ohhh I do like to be beside the (Italian) seaside!

Italians love many things. Food, football (grr..) and being late. But what they can't get enough of during the summer months, is the beach. Swimming in the sea and getting a nice leathery brown colour- they love it. So the other day, myself and the Irish/Welsh ones did a full on, all-day beach trip. The destination? Termoli, a very pleasant town on the Adriatic coast in the Campobasso province. It's a really popular resort, due to the nice beaches and clear water, but there is also a beautiful old town to explore too, if you get tired of 'taking the sun'.

We travelled to Termoli by train, which was easy and hassle free. As you leave the station, bearing to the right will take you towards the main street, which leads down to the sea front. We stopped for a cappuccino and a croissant at a nice cafe with lots of outdoor seating. Very necessary when the temperature was already about 30 degrees.

 We headed towards the numerous 'Lido's that line the beach. These are commonplace in southern Italy, and all of the Italians flock to them, many having booked sun loungers and umbrellas in advance for the whole of the summer. We went to this particular Lido:

At €7.50 per person it was a little expensive, but it was a good location and very clean. In the summer months, an umbrella is absolutely necessary- it gets very hot, especially around lunchtime, and shade is essential if you don't want to end up looking like a lobster. The owner of the Lido was a complete character, and we spent a very relaxing day sunbathing, swimming (or, sitting and floating...) in the sea and eating ice cream. We may have also attempted some synchronised swimming. That was until the Irish one got salt water up her nose. Some of the beach resorts you can go to tend to have mucky water, but Termoli was pretty perfect in terms of water cleanliness.

When we had had enough sun, we made our way (very slowly, because it's up a big hill, bear that in mind!) back to the station, stopping for another coffee at this lovely little bar on the way:

Visitors to Termoli seem to be mainly Italian, but various signs are in English and German too, and Lido staff speak a little English. Termoli is easy to reach by train, and for us it didn't cost too much at all. There are also some nice shops and numerous restaurants, many serving fresh seafood. Have a look at this link for some accommodation options (there are also several more in the vicinity, but these are actually in Termoli itself):  Places to stay in Termoli (booking.com)

Now, all you need to be aware of are the men in speedos. Becuase there are LOTS.