sprostoni's activity

Questions Asked

PISA, 26 EUROS FOR 3 CAPPUCCINOS+PASTRIES, 1000 EURO FINE(AGI) Pisa - When he was presented with the bill, 25,80 euros for 3 cappuccinos and 3 pastries, he paid without a word.

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 01:40

I am fast approaching the need to renew my driving licence as it is due to expire this mid year.

Mon, 01/16/2012 - 05:43

I have a regular sum of money sent over from the UK every month. This month however the money left my UK account and has yet to arrive here in Italy (Banca della Marche).

Thu, 01/12/2012 - 08:30

I saw this comment from a Californian news item............Emerging Cuisines from Emerging Markets - As the world grows smaller, the selection of cuisines grows larger and guests’ palettes are begging to try new flavours.

Sat, 12/10/2011 - 10:43

It will take a quite monumental event to prise us from our wonderful life and friends here. BUT,................. what/where is the future for the younger generation here ?

Fri, 11/25/2011 - 13:30

Being a full time resident here in Italy, we are having a month or so on holiday in another EU country (not in the UK, our country of origin). Does anybody know what 'travel' related health cover are we 'entitled' to ?

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 01:43

I'm sure someone here will advise (hopefully)............I have some 30/40 false acacia trees (the ones with the spikes - ouch !), they have grown in the last 5 years to some 15/20metres high.

Sat, 11/19/2011 - 03:50

"Mr Berlusconi told Italian television: "Life in Italy is good. The restaurants are full. It's difficult to get a seat on a plane they're so busy; holidays are all booked up."There you go then, no financial crisis here !?S

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 02:04

We go to this area every few years.............such a disaster for the people there..............A number of British holidaymakers have been left fearing for their homes and their lives after severe flooding swept away properties and cars and kill

Wed, 10/26/2011 - 10:08

Over 3 days since last post ??!!We're doomed!S

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 09:44

Comments posted

Mon, 08/09/2010 - 12:01

We have 6Kw, run a pool (very heavy on electric), and all the usual...washing machine /dishwasher / toaster/vacuum (heavy!) etc etc (gas kettle though!)............6Kw is a perfect amount. with the basic 3 Kw ..I would think you will have problems at some point. By the way Enel are required to provide an 'extra' 10% me thinks, so we have a 6.6Kw supply. Our bills are circa 100euros per month at 6Kw (over a year) .........seems reasonable to me. Summer months with the pool the consumption DEFINITELY rises fairly dramatically (almost double, certainly increase by 70%)....so plan ahead I say. S

Mon, 08/09/2010 - 10:21

I assume you mean 5 GB POUNDS per month not euros ? We have used MPN https://www.my-private-network.co.uk/ since last year (for BBC and ITV, CH4 etc) and it has been VERY stable, they have superb support and is a 'why-not' for a fiver. There are others but this is the one I use. I'm SLIGHTLY interested in the americano connection and will try it, but I'm not sure what I'd watch (!) time will tell ! Ciao a tutti........... S

Sun, 08/08/2010 - 06:23

Thanks Serrano, I like to have a comparative value to work with, I may consider the larger sums and with less frequency. I'm very happy with the Moneycorp service, but hundreds of euros extra would buy quite a bit more wine (!) Cheers, S

Sat, 08/07/2010 - 12:24

caio bunterboy..............I'm intrigued to know what is a 'pretty good' rate. I'm not unhappy with my regular £2000 payment through Moneycorp. My last payment was July 31st.........£2,000 + £4 fee (total £2,004) left one of my UK accounts. Amount received here in my Italian Bank account = 2,239.20euros. (exchange rate 1.117) If I had upped that to £3,000...........it would have cost me £3,000 = £4 fee (total £3,004), Italian bank account would therefore increase by 3,358.80euros. Is this 'good' or not? IF there is a major difference via other suppliers around that date..........., I'd be happy to hear ! ciao S

Answer to: solarshare
Sat, 08/07/2010 - 12:08

Thanks for all the replies. I'm probably being thick but I still don't quite get it. Is this the way it works? Cost of PV installation (eg.3kw) lets say 18000euros (Yes this my understanding) Bank pays costs up front for the installation via a loan( what rate of interest would apply? favourable? or usual rate). (Yes this my understanding, although I should think the bank will want to make money out of it!) Cost of loan repaid from ENEL payback on electricity generated. over what time frame? (Yes this my understanding, my understanding is some 15 to 20 years, other more knowledgable people will advise better I'm sure) Are you then bill free? Or does your bill for electricity used depend on how much you are generating?   And is there any further cash payback from ENEL to you the account holder. This is what I cant get my head around. (Yes I beleive you are then bill free - with the possibility of ongoing maintenance costs ?) What about maintenance, insurance against damage ie hailstorms, theft etc? Who pays for that? (Yes all in the original 'suggested' 18,000............ongoing after the 'term' I think you wil be on your own - out of the savings that you make............at this point you SHOULD be quids(euros) in )! Sorry to be dense

Answer to: solarshare
Sat, 08/07/2010 - 05:36

I'd forgotten about that bit................so, basically, go in debt to the tune of 20/30/40/50k, claim back off your tax (if you pay enough!). Payback period of 15/20 years...............blimey! Any excess power that you collect, gets siphoned off to Enel (who pay you for it (at tuppence ha'penny or so)), who THEN let you buy the same back off them (at a higher rate than the tuppence ha'penny)..........doesn't stack up to me! S

Answer to: Don't laugh !!
Fri, 08/06/2010 - 13:49

Sorry folks...wasting your time.........have found a site..................to answer my own query ! http://www.autostrade.it/autostrade/traffico.do caio a tutti........... S

Answer to: solarshare
Fri, 08/06/2010 - 07:46

Don't forget, the 10,000 euros gets you roughly ONE Kilowatt.............you need at the very least 3Kw so therefore 30,000 euros.............realistically 6Kw will cover most things.....................therefore 60,000 euros !! Outrageous in my view! S

Answer to: solarshare
Fri, 08/06/2010 - 06:44

Yup Getby is used by friends of mine in Penna San Giovanni..............works VERY well..............550 euro year one, (set up costs etc) 300 per annum after; connection speed is a very steady 5mb +. I recommend it. You need line of sight to the antenna on Smerillo............ A chap in the computer shop in Montelparo (?)....install it. S

Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:31

Cut/dried and delivered to my door, cut to (roughly the size) for my stufe = I pay circa 14 Euros per quintale (mixed woods, oak, false acacia and others) The false acacia grows a little like weed here and is reckoned to be VERY good wood for burning, with little smoke or spitting. Very hard and has VERY sharp spikes. There was a chart on this Forum a year or two ago giving all the differing aspects of wood regards to their burning qualities........ S