I I know there are a number on here will strongly disagree with me but...

To be honest Tekky I very rarely post on political threads and I never start them. It's my personal opinion that we have too many of them on this here BBS - a football forum no less. And i definitely saw you say before that you don't like to talk about politics, yet all your posts seem to be politically motivated, so in truth it does wind me up a bit seeing these antagonistic-type threads from your good self. Having said that, i wish you no ill will and won't engage any further (no need for me and Loko to 'get a room' lol), I'll back off. But if you ever feel like posting about Italian football, something i have an interest in since the days of football Italia on C4, or you just fancy posting about the reds every now and then, i will read it and engage with earnest Buongiorno

 

Salve. Fair enough...I did have a self imposed moratorium on political threads for a while but, to be honest, that went by the wayside since the weather has been so hot here (35C+ ) for about three months and for most of that time there have been water restrictions all gardening activities have ceased as have numerous jobs in the house put on hold until it cools down. So I had too much time on my hands and have ended up spending more time than I should on the BB posting non-foot stuff. In all fairness the season has only just got going again. Also many threads started by BBSers have also been more about 'politics', cost of living etc as well as all the 'off pitch shenanigans relating to BFC, of which I have little or nothing to contribute.

On the subject of Italian football, I could post about all the 'tippy tappy' sideways passing stuff that goes on and the number of 'assassinations' you see in even local matches shown on community TV channels (at least they look like assassinations as players fall down like they have been shot and writhe round in agony until they see that the ref has taken no notice and then get up and trot back to their position like nothing happened). I am sure I saw many comments complaining about BFC doing ther same regarding sideways play, so did not want to bore you with more of the same. Being Italians when an actual foul has happened there is much 'surrounding the ref' and frantic gesticulations and arm waving like Italians communicate. Their vocal chords somehow seem to be attached to their arms as they cannot talk without them moving. I have not engaged with any Italian clubs and am less enthusiastic about football in general unless it involves Barnsley.

Final point. Just because I don't post much football related content does not mean I do not avidly read the posts especially the Live match threads but not being able to watch the matches (gave up on iFollow as it was very poor and unreliable IMO) I cannot add anything of value.

 

Well, I owe you an apology because I know the BBS is an outlet for people, and I didn't know your circumstances regarding the extreme prolonged weather in Italy, the lack of gardening opportunities as a result, and your limitations regarding posting on Barnsley FC-related threads, so I apologise sincerely mate. I know you like to debate and have a meaningful conversation around certain topics and that is fair enough. As for myself, I just try and give the political threads a wide berth now. I hope you agree to a truce, far be it from me to rile anyone up on here because life is short and hard enough as it is. I wish you all the best.

Out of interest, who is your local team (the nearest), and what is your nearest 'big' team? I went to see Fiorentina in 2015 and was relieved that they still play at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Those old Italian stadiums are a dying breed and hold much nostalgia for me, having been an avid watcher of Football Italia back in the day and my parents being too tight to fork out for Sky/cable (I remember Italians being known for diving, posturing and surrounding the ref at every opportunity even then, some things don't change!). Italian football and MOTD were my two main sources of football on the box for a time. The noise from the visiting Milan fans that night in Florence was unreal, there were about 500 squeezed into a corner and they would get back to Milan in the early hours. They never stopped chanting. The game was 0-0 but I will never forget it. I wish I had gone to see Lucca play while there, I loved Lucca and the stadium is just outside the city walls. And as for Italians and their arm-waving, I took a wrong turn up near Mont Blanc down a one-way street once, and I got the hand sign from an Italian coming the other way, a proud moment on my travels

 

So, basically, you're homesick...

 

Absolutely no apology needed. I can be OTT at times as also quite passionate about some subjects so can come across as overly aggressive and a bit lecturing. That is not what is intended. So it should really be me that apologises.
Biggest club in Le Marche is Serie B team. Ascoli an hour and a quarter drive for me. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ascoli_calcio_1898_f.c.
Apart from Lecce in the heel of Italy All Serie A sides tend to be in the industrial North with two or three down the West side near Rome and Salerno. The East Adriatic side particularly our region is very agricultural. Football is very popular and there are many local leagues but no 'big' clubs. Most stadia are uncovered so fans bake at the start and end of the season but get cold and wet in Jan / Feb!

 

Nice attempt at a wind up but futile. I don't know how you came that that conclusion. TBH , you clearly have no idea of the lifestyle in Italy for retirees.

If not for my family connections I would have little or no desire to visit the UK even for holidays, which is, IMO, overcrowded, over priced and everything is money driven. I aalso have absolutely no intention or desire to return to the UK. As the years pass I find, if I was in UK I would miss far more about Italy than I miss about UK living here.

Italy is not without its faults, but on balance, the quality of life here is far superior to that experienced by all but the most affluent proportion of the UK population.

 

The Tekky doth protest too much...

 

Cheers Tekky, likewise. And no need to apologise either. We all have our faults, I know I can be a bit sarcy sometimes and OTT.

I do find the spread of clubs interesting in Italy. One ground I would love to visit (I only became aware of them after Cesc Fabregas signed for them in the summer) is Como - the location looks fantastico! You've just revived another memory of Football Italia when you mention the cold and wet in the winter months: the sea of umbrellas on the terraces! Feels very unique to Italy. I remember in our Prem season they sold ponchos (outside the ground?). I sat on row B in the East Stand Lower, and we would get absolutely drenched.

 

Good description of the Thatcher legacy.

 

.

OK! Whatever Barnsley it 'aint

 

Plastic chairs... argh!!!!!

 

Like it. Hope we’re now going to have a real BBS barney about the correct materials for making chairs.

I’ll start. WOOD! And anybody who says otherwise is an absolute ****

 

Yerbut the outside dining furniture is teak ( from a traceable sustainable source ,). Plastic chairs are lighter to move around and actually more comfortable than the wood ones ( and a lot cheaper). I suppose you only have Chippendale in your house... Snob.

 

Is the pizza oven thing yours or is that next doors? Just wondering because of the fence.

Looks a bit too crowded there tekky, you might want to move somewhere a bit rural next time.

 

He had loads of neighbours until he started talking politics with them…

Only joking Tekky!!

 

No. I built the Pizza oven (a labour of love) myself in 2015. The house is detached on 1200sq metres of land . Dont know if the link will work but We are on ìtrusted housesitters' as when we go away we don't like to put our sociable cat in a cattery and we also have someone to look after the house and garden.

If you are 'nosey' you can see more of our house and garden here. Let me know if the link works as I am not sure if you have to register or sign in

EDIT... Tried the link but you have to register to see so I deleted it. If you want to have a look
It is simple to sign up We live in Ripe San Ginesio and as far as I know are the only house there on TrustedHouseSitters..

 

Just tried the link... They have changed the site only viewable when browsing for a housesit if the owners are currently looking for a sitter. We are all fixed up for our next jaunt ....Xmas so it is not currently viewable .

 

Looks idyllic. Not that I'm envious, although my wife says I've gone a funny shade of green.
Is the mountain range in the far distance the Apennines?

 

Yes, and if you go to the other side you get to Amanchester

 

Funnily enough when people ask where Le Marche is I make the comparison between Tuscany/Lancashire in the West Le Marche/, Yorkshirein.the East and Appennines/ Pennines in between the two. Central Italy/Central UK.
It is probably why we feel so at home here. The similarities do not end there. Tuscany is more affluent whilst Le Marche is more agricultural and less industrial and developed. The people though are very like Yorkshire folk. Straightforward, often to the point of being quite blunt, but generous and honest.