Cold and Cold

Firstly, we too have had snow and it is quite an event here. It doesn't snow that often down here in Verona. Usually you have to go to the mountains for that. Unfortunately it is melting now so school will be full again tomorrow.

Just left Simon at the airport as he begins his trek back to the UK. I don't get to leave until Wednesday. Luckily for him, Gatwick is open despite the snow. As they said on the news, it is -20 in Helsinki and their airport is open. Nothing like UK chaos!!

I have a cold, as you can see from the lovely photo that Simon took yesterday morning. Sad to say that it has almost gone now so a ruined weekend and back to work tomorrow. I just have to get through three more days and then I can begin my journey. If it snows near stanstead I'll cry.

SNOW

I woke up this morning to find lots of snow on the trees and the cars. It snowed until about 10am and then stopped - very pretty and unusual in Verona. Bloody cold most days but snow is rare. They save it all for the mountains and ski resorts nearby.

Oh and that is my Xmas tree!!!

Christmas is coming

Well we are mid December and it is fair to say that Christmas is on it's way. I have spent far too many hours today baking biscuits and making chutney as gifts. It will all be worth it though as I have gifts for 20 people and have spent less than 10€. Bargain.

Today is Santa Lucia in Italy. Today it is traditional for children to receive gifts. A bit like an early Christmas really, but they seem to celebrate that too. As an adult I don't quality, but I did buy myself a nice new pair of shoes yesterday, so I'll say they were from Santa Lucia and feel less guilty about it.

Last weekend we went to our lovely friends house for an early Christmas dinner. It really helped us to get into the Christmas spirit and I was pleased to leave feeling a little bit tipsy and certainly as though I'd eaten too much.

As for me, I don't finish work until 23rd December and then I'm racing across Italy to fly home.

Dentist

To be honest I can't believe that I haven't started this thread sooner!

When Simon's parents were visiting back in September I broke a filling on a piece of pizza. I thought that I'd got away with it, but after a day it was so rough that it was cutting my tough and was quite painful. An Italian dentist was required.

Fortunately, the English Speaking Happy Hour that I attend (rather sporadically now) has a whole host of useful people, one of whom is a dentist. I swiftly organised an appointment with Enea and got my teeth ready.

It was a bit embarrassing really. Firstly, I should add that I hate dentists and as such I've only been for emergency appointments since I was about 13. I hate needles most of all. I think Enea nearly died when he looked inside my mouth. I know I did when he stuck a camera in my mouth and show me my teeth on a big TV screen. That is cruel and almost guarantees that you'll agree to any treatment.

I've not been three times for a deep root clean and scale. (Yes I did say three times - very dirty) I have also had to have a new filling. He is now talking about gum surgery!!! So far I haven't paid a penny and I have not idea of the current balance. Think I might need to re-divert some of the wedding money!

Dentist is not as bad as I once thought and I will go back for regular cleans now, but I still hate needles.