Back to work.

Day 4.

Having set an alarm for 7:25 and vowed to myself to start work at the same time as Claudio, I awoke at 9:05 and started work just before 10. Today I was continuing my project from Saturday. This time I had to clean the reed blocks ready for re-waxing. Another messy job, this, chiselling away at hardened wax while trying not to damage the wood. 
At 12 noon Erica arrived at the shop and took Ivana & I to the supermarket. This was a good move! A selection of fresh vegetables was joined by ravioli, gnocchi, mozzarella, spaghetti, passata, parmigiano, butter, bread, crisps, ham and strawberries in my basket. I now have 9 bread rolls in the freezer! Mum will be proud! Having bought all this food I was then inundated with edibles from the family - salad, salad dressing, bread and cheese & ham filled focaccia slices, which, once warmed through in the oven, became my lunch 
The shop reopened at 3 so I set about my work again. Once the reed blocks were clean I moved onto cleaning the glue from where the valves used to be. I can see your brains working overtime! This job was the worst - sticky, long, arduous. I've got a full day of it tomorrow! I did a good job again today though, Claudio assures me.
Back at the apartment Claudio came over to portion the giant Pecorino cheese, which was occupying my fridge, and slice some kind of ham on the meat slicer. I can't remember the name of the ham but it was delicious! Claudio explained that it's very lean; he left me some of the Pecorino and ham. Eventually I was able to start making my own tea: meat ravioli (shop) with a simple homemade fresh tomato sauce topped with mozzarella. I relaxed with a DVD after before heading next door to meet Kleidi's parents and watch the football (Livorno vs. Inter, Claudio's team).
A more relaxed evening tonight but up early again tomorrow.

A dopo x

Day 3.

I awoke at what appeared to be 11:30 and I texted what I thought was Simone's number apologising for waking up so late. I showered and had a breakfast of a stale bread roll and Nutella. The day's going well so far, I thought. Claudio knocked on my door to say they were going to see an elderly relative and he wished me good day. 
I soon realised that by changing the clock on my phone last night I had in fact screwed the system, up and was an hour ahead of myself, thus making it only 10:30 when I woke up.
With the sun beating down and no one around I decided to walk into Stradella and have a look around. I came across the old factory of Dallapè Fisarmoniche - an accordion company that ceased production in 2010, but, I think moved from that factory before that. I saw Stradella station before walking through the Sunday morning market. My plan to purchase the wherewithal to make lunch was hampered by the early closing of supermarkets on a Sunday. My lunch later, therefore, would consist of more stale bread and Nutella. The Mediterranean diet is in full swing already... 
I returned from Stradella and ate said lunch before having to entertain myself in the apartment. I read about the accordion and I watch accordion videos on YouTube, as well as watching classic BBC comedy. I longed to play the accordion, but mine was locked up in the workshop. Simone, on his correct number, texted me asking if I would join some of his friends from last night, and Erica, in a cafe in Stradella for drinks and light food. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to go out and see people after being cooped up all day. I even texted Aris, the Spanish speaker from last night, but alas, he wasn't going.
The cafe was busy but the food was good (slices of pizza and toasties, fresh Gran Padano cheese, mini focaccia sandwiches, frankfurter slices). I never got into conversation really and eventually Simone, Danielle and I left. We stopped off at a gelateria to buy a take away tub of ice cream - we chose Nutella, Oreo, Stracciatella, Biscotto and Hazlenut. My first ice cream of the trip! Danielle and Kleidi (Erica's boyfriend) joined us for ice cream back home while we watched Napoli vs. Juventus; Kleidi is a big Juve fan. At half time I spoke to Mum and Dad on Skype - it was good to see them and Mum loved her Mother's Day jug and card - before heading back for the remainder of the match. I gave presents of shortbread, Thornton's chocolates and Percy pigs (biscotti e dolci inglesi) Claudio was desperate to tuck in and, despite cries of "Basta!" (Enough!), the shortbread was duly opened and passed round.
I enjoy spending time with this family; we have a good laugh and the language barriers make it even better!

I must wake up early for work tomorrow. A trip to the supermarket is also a necessity.

Buona notte x

Straight in at the deep end.

Day 2.

I was awakened by a text from Claudio at 7:26 asking if I was awake. Well, no, was the answer. I was still in bed. I replied in Italian in the hope of making a fresh start on day 2. After a quick shower I flung some clothes on and left having had nothing more than a glass of peach juice for breakfast. 
Claudio and I walked to the workshop and set to work. He gave me a brief tour, which was interrupted several times by the phone; a taste of things to come! Claudio got me going straight away. I had to break reeds from the reed blocks before removing the old valves and the 'cera grossa' (old/dead wax) from the edges of the reeds. 7 reed blocks took me 3 hours...a personal best to beat next time! However, I did a good job apparently. It was certainly a bit 'noioso' (boring) and messy!
A lunch (first food of the day) of homemade pasta was had before I headed back to my apartment and tried to organise my room a little. Soon after, Erica popped her head round the door asking if I wanted to go to the supermarket with her. Well, after this morning's breakfast (or lack of) debacle I thought it wise to pick up a few essentials to sort my own breakfast every day. Cereal, fruit, bread, iced tea and biscuits, not to mention Nutella, were purchased, although Erica didn't let me pay. "Next time!" she said.
The next few hours were spent watching a movie in my room, as the late afternoon breeze wafted in through the open window. The weather was superb today; sunny and hot with a light breeze. Fa bello!
At 8pm Simone and I headed to Broni, a small town 5km from Stradella, where we met his Viking friends! Fear not, we're not talking ancient Nordic invaders here. The Vikings, as I understand it, are a group of ultras (supporters) for Broni's women's basketball team, of which Simone is a coach. A good group of guys and lots of food! I can now also claim that I'm in an Italian newspaper - a journalist was there to interview a couple of them and a photo was taken. The Vikings insisted I join in! I spent the evening speaking Spanish with a guy called Aris - he's half Greek, half Italian but studied in Spain for a while. We conversed easily in Spanish on a range of topics. My Italian improved today, though, and I used it more.
Already tired, we now advanced to Stradella where we met Erica and her friends, including her boyfriend, in a pub. They were playing Cluedo when we arrived but that soon bit the dust. On the way home Simone gave me a brief tour of Stradella by car. Tomorrow is a free day, so I intend to explore the town.

I'll be glad of a lie in tomorrow, first!

Ciao tutti x

The big day...

Day 1.

So, the big day has finally arrived. No backing out now. A 5:30am start was followed by one and a half hot cross buns. The four of us (Mum, Dad, Stephanie and I) braved the M25 during rush hour on a Friday morning... We should have stayed in bed for another hour. We cruised through! 
Airport etiquette was duly observed, bag drop being the first port of call. We bumped into Claudio, Simone and Stefano, the people I'll be staying/working with. I say 'bumped into.' It was more like found because I knew they were on the same flight as me. Goodbyes were had, without tears (!), and I headed for security checks. I don't advise buying a seat on a plane for an accordion - it had to be hand searched and it seemed like I was questioned by every member of airport staff as to why I had it, why it wasn't in the hold etc. Take off eventually arrived and an easy flight was had watching Top Gear DVDs, although I did find it slightly ironic when the safety demonstration said "In the unlikely event of landing in the water" given the recent events. The less said about our landing the better, though. 
Claudio's wife and daughter met us at Parma airport (named after composer Guiseppe Verdi) and we embarked on the drive to Stradella, via Stefano's house. Once in Stradella we stopped off at Claudio's accordion shop/workshop; a Mecca for accordion lovers like myself. I can't wait to get my hands dirty! Finally we got home - the journey from the shop to the apartment took 30 seconds by car... Food was consumed (meats and bread and salad), which was much needed after nothing since the aforementioned hot cross buns 11 hours before! 
And now here I am, sitting in an apartment all to myself, blathering away. I have no idea if this is a permanent fixture, mind - apparently I might be staying in an agriturismo, but in true Italian fashion "we won't find out until tomorrow." Can't complain at the moment, though; a double bed to myself!
Four things I've learned today?
1) Claudio's 25 year old daughter, Erica, never stops talking!
2) I'm going to need to start rigorously studying Italian again.
3) These 68 days away will proceed without me ever knowing what is happening the next day.
4) Stephanie likes hot cross buns and she didn't cry at the airport.

Speak soon x

I should really do something...

In 72 hours I will be in Italy. Now, that's exciting! However, at the moment the excitement is being curtailed by the stresses of packing. How many pairs of boxers do I take? Do I need all the shoes I've put on the list? How many books will I actually read? The questions are endless. And, considering I haven't actually bought any luggage allowance from the airline yet, none of them can be answered! Ho hum, I'll soldier on and hope that come Thursday afternoon I have something that resembles a suitcase ready for 10 weeks away...