Friday 23rd May

Well, today the light shone on our house hunting efforts, which have, in all honesty, turned into a trial by ordeal. I think it is in no part due to the fact that the agents enjoy nothing more than a nice drive in the countryside. They seem to be partly aware that they are often taking us on a fruitless trail, but blissfully ignorant to the fact that we are dragging the best part of our belongings with us and cursing every rutted track that we are bouncing along, burning up diesel at a rate that would make an Arab blanche. Today however was to be different. We headed for Isola del Gran Sasso, situated ironically at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain range to be met by, finally, an agent that was sympathetic to our hopes and needs. We saw five nice properties one of which melted our hearts. A large stone house set in about twelve acres of lush meadow but also including woods, olive trees and fruit trees. It is isolated but 10 minutes drive from Montario al Vomano. There are 360 degree views of snow capped mountains plus green hills and valleys. The house is in good order and will make a beautiful Agriturismo. To the uninitiated an Agriturismo is a farm with rooms to let. To us though it will hopefully be a cash cow. We can get grants to breed rare pigs etc and in short allows us to wallow in the same fat as a French farmer. There is a 500 metre track that leads to the house which becomes a dead end at some point. The good thing is is that it is designated public. That means that the council will repair it for us when requested and we will certainly request it. After the recent rains we had to use four wheel drive in anger to get out, which was exciting. We made a very cheeky offer, so much so that the agent blushed when she called the owner. He however accepted with the proviso that we weren't going to build all over his birthplace. We go back on Tuesday with a geometra for a second look and to hopefully confirm our offer. We have our fingers crossed but the fates will decide.