The last two weeks have been a constant flow of activity. Our construction project manager, Leonardo, came by with drawings for a proposed new arch between the kitchen and living area. His father, who has been a brick layer for many years (he’s 75), suggested we wrap the arch in brick. Long story short, we have been living an HGTV segment with two seasoned brick professionals designing and building the arch and peninsula. It’s been an amazing thing to watch. Only the photos can explain it from design to finished product. We think that we will enjoy the finished product as much as we’ve enjoyed watching the build.
Attached are a few photos of the arch being built. I’ll post a link to the album with all of the photos once it’s completed. The process is amazing. Julio and Ernesto are perfectionists!
They had warned us that there would be a lot of dust and recommended that we move out for a few days. So, we found a cute Air B&B by the beach. It was a nice break for us. The B&B had been newly remodeled and was very comfortable. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees and sunny. We found some nice restaurants and shops, including a coffee shop that we’ll definitely return to. Right next door is a fruit and vegetable shop with the best looking veggies. It’s artichoke season now, and I of course bought some – delicious! The beaches in Montesilvano are similar to those in Vasto Marina and we enjoyed a long walk along the beach.
Just to keep things moving along, we went to Ikea and ordered a wardrobe and headboard for our bedroom. And then we went to Mondo Convenience and ordered a new vanity and mirror for the utility bathroom. They will arrive on April 18, and our handyman Francesco will be here on the 20th to set up and install the wardrobe. He’ll return on the 23rd to install the bathroom vanity and the headboard. We didn’t see anything we like for the main bathroom, so this week we will start that search.
Our friends Valerie and Cecil who own an apartment in Pescara and in Evanston, Illinois, are back here for about six weeks. On Sunday, they took a bus to Montesilvano and we picked them up and drove up the hill to the Citta’ Sant’Angelo old town. There are breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains. We had an excellent lunch at the restaurant in the Belvedere Hotel. Then we brought them to see our work in progress.
We drove them to their apartment in Pescara. They have done some updating, but their apartment really didn’t need much. It’s very charming and very Italian.
Margaret also squeezed in time to go to the dentist. Last week she had a cleaning, and this week she will see a specialist about getting some extensive dental work done. She’s not looking forward to this, but it’s long past due. Mike will get a cleaning this week, too. Dentists are not covered by the Italian health system, but the prices are not high (compared to the US). The dentists we’ve seen so far have been very good. Their equipment seems current, and the staff are all very professional. A visit to the dentist here is very much like in the USA.
On Wednesday, we will go with Leonardo to pick out the granite for the top of the peninsula. On Thursday, we go to Casalanguida to pick up our summer tires from Julia’s garage and have the tires changed at the local service station. Have I told you about tires? It’s the law here in Italy that you have to use winter tires from November 15 until April 15, and summer tires from April 15 to November 15. We’ve actually been stopped by the Carabinieri just to check our tires!
Wednesday the painter returns to paint the living room ceiling and walls. Julio and Ernesto will return when the brick dries to put a clear sealant on. Then the decorating begins!
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