Snow adventures

This weekend we went for a short trip to the mountains nearby. We live in the mountains anyway but you'd have to be a nimble goat to go for a serious walk around here; also it wasn't quite cold enough for snow. The snow fell in December and melted by New Years. So because snow was our objective, we embarked on our journey in search of it.

My brother-in-law Vincenzo took us on the scenic route there, first via the lovely town of Pescosolido. It's smaller than the town we live in here but so pretty, typical cobblestone paved streets, a lovely piazza with a small garden. Dan and I secretly wondered how this town could be so well kept and charming with such a small population. We diplomatically decided it was due to the resourceful commune (local council) which belongs to a different municipality than ours.

Then we arrived at the top of a mountain range called Forca D'Arce. From there onwards it was a beautiful picturebook scene - the winter forest covered in white, the sunlight shining through, children sledding between the trees. I decided it was my favourite place up here and was itching to build a snowman here but first we went onwards to Pescasseroli, which is a resort town right up in the middle of mountain peaks. Here were beautiful chalets, chic Italians dressed apres ski, ski fields. It all looked like a slice of Switzerland, in a nice way, of course. On our return drive we stopped at the woods to make our snowman. Due to the previous days' rain it was harder to make than in Hobart where we made a perfect one from fresh powder snow. He still had a lot of character though, as you can see.

Arriviamo in Italia

Amazingly enough, we survived the long haul flight and everything that came before it surprisingly well. The kids were well behaved, there were no tantrums during the 30 hours or so of airplane sitting, airport lounge waiting and more airport sitting. Let me repeat - NO TANTRUMS.

And then we arrived in Rome. And had to wait for my brother-in-law to pick us up.

It wasn't his fault, our plane was early. But the kids were at the end of their patience, as were we. I thought I was doing well by blowing up balloons for each of them until someone's got popped. Tears ensued, then screaming. From the parents and the kids. Pretty soon the entire airport was entertained by the antics of our crazy family but I was so relieved to have arrived I was beyond caring.

So now we're here in beautiful Italy. We watch the snow on our mountain every day, melting or covering more of the peak depending on the weather. Now that we've recovered from jetlag and colds from adjusting to the winter temperatures we've enjoyed being outside all the more. The other day I walked through olive groves surrounded by snow capped mountains... it was breathtakingly beautiful.


Every day I look around and ask myself, "Am I really here? Living in Italy with all the family together?" And I thank the gods for their blessings.