So, it’s Bank Holiday in the UK with cold, wet weather – there’s a surprise! If it’s any consolation to you, we too have colder and very, very wet weather as I write this. The difference is that it is not a Bank Holiday weekend so I am at work.
Yesterday, as I was posting the post below and changing a few things (because WordPress does funny things to the post sometimes – I think it’s the font that causes the problem), I checked my visitors and found someone else reading my blog at the same time! This is quite freaky. Those of you who have blogs that actually have visitors all the time may not appreciate how exciting this can be. I mean, we’re on the site exactly at the same time!
There you go! I missed my visitor from Oregon. Checking my stats this morning – they didn’t visit last night. Oh well, they will probably never know that the post below was really for them.
I just looked at the blog and the temperature here is 24 degrees. It’s wonderful. There is a slight breeze, unusually for Milan, which makes it very, very pleasant.
Strange thing, this ‘getting fresh air’ or, as they often seem to say here ‘changing the air’. Continue reading
My mood is like the weather, sombre and grey. Spring? Where the hell is it? Continue reading
As those of you who know me may remember, I’m not one for illnesses. Sure I’ve had my fair share. I had an operation for a small hernia when I was about 8, had Spillaine’s Syndrome at about 35 and an op for a cartilage tear about 6 years ago. But that’s about it, really. Yes, I do get aches and pains but, really, you don’t want to know, so I won’t tell you. I don’t take aspirin or any other drugs as I reckon that one drug (smoking) is enough – oh yes, and alcohol. Continue reading
Today, as I am driving to work there is another accident. I crossed the lights and found myself in a traffic queue which, unfortunately meant that I was blocking the traffic traversing the road I was on. So, in order to avoid the blaring of horns by cars that would come right up to my drivers door, and because I am driving more and more like a Milanese, I turned my car to the right and pulled up alongside the car that had been immediately in front of me (who, incidentally, was also blocking some of the traffic from the right). So now he wasn’t blocking any traffic, it was only me.
7.20 p.m.
Hi to all my readers. The list is growing and there’s now about 6 of you out there reading this! I can’t believe it and feel quite guilty that I don’t write something much better!
Continue reading
Looking at blogs and things on the web, I’ve noticed many people outside Italy don’t really get Italian driving at all. They all think Italian drivers are mad. However, there are very clear and distinct rules on the road, here. In general, it’s very easy.
When driving one must assume that the car in front, behind or to the side of you could, at any moment, choose to do anything they like. They could pull in front of you. Stop for no reason. Accelerate, slow down, turn right, left or do a u-turn. All without signalling, of course. They will, probably just move to where they want to go.
What is important is that, whatever the time of day or night you are ready, with your hand poised, to blast your horn with as much vigour as possible, preferably keeping the horn pressed for a minimum of 1 minute, so that they realise you’re there.
Of course, this won’t make them change anything they’re doing, but it gives you a better feeling about it all. Of course, when youre driving, any idea of following any road signs, traffic light signals, lane markings, etc. is entirely your choice.
Especially, one should completely ignore lane markings as these are for guidance only. The most preferable thing is to drive along using part of two lanes so as to make sure that no-one can actually pass you.
When turning right, (bearing in mind that we’re all driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road), one should move as far over to the left as is possible, thereby ensuring that you hold up traffic behind you. Inevitably, the quick thinking people will immediately pass those cars on the right, whilst holding their hand down on the horn. Even better, of course, is to signal left when you are actually going to turn right. This ensures the correct amount of confusion for any foreign drivers.