15 to 28 February, 2021 - Bomba - (Italy)
Our 14 day self isolation period came to its end without any officialdom. We woke, and were free to leave the house, but only by virtue of our own counting. There was no piece of paper in our possession stating “you are free on this date”. Circumstances though, were conspiring against us.
Our first impediment was, unfortunately, another bureaucratic 14 days. Thankfully, not house confinement, but still limited movement for all residents in Chieti. Our province began a two week period of “zone red” covid restrictions on that day. The limited distance we are allowed is less of an issue, as village dwellers like us are allowed to go 30 km. This is enough to reach good sized supermarkets and variety stores stocked with household goodies (like cushions to counter the discomfort of the kitchen chairs). The greater imposition is the fact that restaurants are restricted from providing eat in dining.
The second hurdle to our newly acquired liberation was environmental. The night prior brought around 10 centimetres of snow. In and of itself, not enough to keep us in the house, but enough to create reluctance of tackling the winding roads in our little rental car.
Before the Sun, After The Snow
Iso Over
Coffee In the piazza, our first treat after two weeks isolation.
The Main Way in to Old Bomba
Through the arch, and down a bit, that's the way to our house. Poor snowed in plants.
Side View
The side view from our place. I cannot help but wonder how secure the tiles perched atop the chimney are.
So, in spite of being released, we stayed very local for a few days. We bravely had our first espressi in the piazza. Gloved, scarfed, and beanied, but defying the cold with our brazen attitudes. As the sun worked its warmth in to the streets, we explored further, breaking in to the surrounding countryside, and capturing many interesting angles on our new home town.
Snow Melting, Two Days Later
Much of the other side of the valley already returning from white to green.
Bomba, Through the Olive Trees
City Limits, Bomba Style Our first reasonable walk. Down the hill to the sanctuary, and back when we reached the edge of town.
Our Town - Our House is in There, Somewhere
Bomba from the Main Thoroughfare
Homemade Pumpkin and Ricotta Gnocchi
Jo is trying so many different things. This was an amazing meal.
Christ - Crucifixion
A wonderful depiction. Detail in the sanctuary of San Mauro.
We even made it to nearby lake Bomba, around the shore some distance, and back via the old railway station. 13.6 kms, according to the GPS. Considerably more than we had set out to cover.
The Unfinished Bridge
Eventually, we might find the story of what happened to interrupt construction of this bridge. Safe to say, it is now a very much abandoned project.
Returning Home, after 13.6 km
Our little walk ended up being a lot longer than anticipated. Never mind.
WTF?!
Possibly the most confusing sign I can recall seeing.
In the previous post, I mentioned some of our new neighbours. Not by name, but by action. By name, Steven and Faye, the couple who brought us groceries. Perry, the artist with a passion to help Bomba discover its full potential and a neighbourly attitude the size of a whale. Let’s add in Jessica, at the shop named Claudia. Emy from Emy’s. Nikko who runs the tabaccheria, and his wife whose name we are yet to catch. Lee and Frank, next door but one. Lee, born in Bomba, grew up and married in Melbourne before returning some 40 years ago. We’ve met Domenico the policeman; Angela Marie in the council, and Marinella (I think); the priest; the lady who runs the fresh food grocer; Salvatore, cousin of the vendor of our home; and more and more regular faces in the streets and in the piazza. Our community is growing at a quicker rate than I can remember names.
It is becoming apparent, the locals know who we are. The grapevine has ensured that townsfolk give us knowing smiles and waves. A buongiorno or a ciao is always reciprocated with a similar greeting.
Jo weaved some magic by baking some banana muffins for some of our new acquaintances. Even where we mis-delivered (oops, wrong door, hey random person we’ve never met before, have some muffins), the love is obviously permeating (oh, thanks random person, we will enjoy this bottle of red!)
The first Bomba resident we met, though, had four legs. On our arrival, about a month ago, he growled and barked every time we walked between the car and our house. We did not see him until a few days ago, because we had not exactly worked out where he was. Maybe, best not to have found him. As Lee said, don’t try and pat him, or you’ll likely lose your hand. A very unpleasant and unapproachable beast, with one peculiarity. He howls every time the church bells ring. EVERY time. When the bells begin, by the second dong, we hear the howl build. Some days, the bells peal on three occasions, other days, they ring out six or more times. Without fail, the dog howls.
Deliveries are finding our house, sometimes requiring neighbourly assistance. Recipe books and a large box of Asian groceries. And a little treasure – a book of village and regional walks from Bomba, with our house on the front cover, from the 1990s, which we found on eBay.
Featured on the Cover, Our House
This old tour book for Bomba and surrounds has a picture of our house on the front.
Even a dropped item of washing made its way back to our house. The day after doing our washing, we opened the front door, and found a solitary bright sock hanging on our railing. Yes, it was ours, and yes, we had already noted its absence in our hung out items. We did not expect to find it again, and we certainly did not think it would find us!
Steven (aka “northern Steve” to differentiate him from the Steve we are yet to meet), again stepped up when we needed assistance to retrieve our first significant purchase for the house. We bought a fridge, and not only did he have a vehicle large enough to collect the aforementioned appliance, he had a trolley allowing easy transfer from parking spot to house. I guess our colour scheme is now chosen!
Jo Models our First Reasonable Acquisition
The decree banning restaurants from offering dine-in options was the limitation that made us most sad. Given the lack of eating options in Bomba, we had anticipated that a meal or two a week would be taken while out and about at neighbouring towns and villages. With restrictions, we would have to take away. And with that, the options become reheating at home, eating cold food, or eating in the car.
In Lanciano, around half an hour away, about dinner time, we decided we would have our first bought meal; we would just have to eat in the car. Not wanting to eat pasta with our fingers, we asked if they might have a fork. They decided that what we were proposing was a less than ideal way for their fare to be enjoyed. The restaurant shutters ratcheted closed, to keep out prying eyes. A cloth was laid on a table, cutlery was placed, and wine glasses were filled. We dined in ever aware that they were risking a hefty fine. As if the food was not tasty enough, the risk was like a condiment.
Dine In Meal Number One
So, officially, we are in a "red zone" this fortnight. Restaurants only open for take away - dine in prohibited. So, after ordering a meal from this wonderful "unnamed to protect" restaurant, they took pity on us who had no eating utensils. They took a risk, closed the shutters, set us a table, and brought us our meals at a table. We stall return.
Significantly, the fortnight ended with us paying the balance for via Forno 14-16. The reading of the four page document, naturally in Italian, was not a highlight of our time to date. But the announcement at the end that it was all official and we were now the legal owners, that was a memorable time. Sure, I nearly soured the event by almost knocking a large model ship on to the floor at the notary office, but I didn’t. So, it was all formalities until the end, when we concluded the deal by giving out some packs of Tim Tams.
Our Place
Flight of Steps to Our Rear Entrance
Our Second Cellar is at the top of those stairs. And to the left, an entrance to the cellar which is beneath our cellar.
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