I haven't posted for ages. For three months in fact.
So, here's a quick roundup of what's been happening:
- Summer happened. And the summer was hot. It's hard to concentrate when it's 40°C out. To be fair, summer is still happening. It may be Autumn, but we've still got 25°C.
- I've been busy arguing with kitchen designers who quote ridiculously high prices for kitchens that you don't want in the first place because they didn't listen to what you wanted. Eur13,000 for three cupboards, a sink, an oven, a hob, a dishwater and a fridge/freezer anyone?
- I've been busy finding kitchen designers who actually do listen and are lovely at the same time. Alberto Garau, of Guido Garau in Sassari, is my man of choice. Oh, and he happens to have the biggest chocolate brown eyes ever. Not that that influenced my choice.
- Back in June, I started teaching again on the regional initiative Sardinia Speaks English. Total beginners are always my downfall. That led to taking over another course. I was teaching six hours back-to-back a day so definitely no time for blogging.
- I'd forgotten how much I loved teaching. So, before I had time to realise what I was doing, went and set up my own private language school in Arzachena.
- When I was getting stressed and scratching my head in bemusement, I reread my book on Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese (extremely non-subtle plug). Felt better after that.
- I've also been redoing websites (with the help of Martha from Roam2Rome - she's a star)
- I've been playing waiting games with the bank who wanted us to sign the act for the new appartment before we knew whether or not they'd give us a second mortgage (we've already got one on the whole oh-dear-the-roof-collapsed saga).
- I've been writing lots - articles and that book that I should have finished ages ago.
- I've been trying to find beds in Sardinia that don't come with a 70-day delivery time. I wish I was a carpenter. I could go and cut down the tree and make a bed in less time than that.
- Oh, and I've been trying not to get annoyed that I have to pay Eur300 to clean up the mess that the builders have made in the apartment.
I had exactly the same problem with the cost of kitchens in Italy - my solution... I bought an Italian made kitchen from MFI in England for a quarter of the cost (as there's always a sale on) and then had it shipped back over to Italy. I used "Arcese" - a large Italian haulage company with a base in the Uk (Essex) and it came in 2 weeks and cost around 400 pounds so a good saving overall (if not very carbon friendly).
Simon
Posted by: Simon Pearson | November 07, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Simon
Thanks for sharing your solution. Sounds like a good one. Are you in northern Italy? If so, I can see why getting a kitchen shipped from the UK is 'commodo'. Ironic that it's an Italian kitchen, though...
I looked at MFI, too, a while back. Getting down to Sardinia hikes up the prices as it's another few hundred kilometres and an overnight ferry crossing.
And there's fitting the kitchen. How did you get around that?
Posted by: Emma Bird | November 10, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Hi Emma
Yes - I'm in northern Italy so it's definitely cheaper for me. At the moment MFI are doing 70% off + free delivery (but it will be in the UK).
I built the kitchen myself (it's fairly straight forward as long as you have a screw driver and a hammer) brought the appliances from my local Euronics and had a local builder fit the marble tops which took a couple of weeks to cut from ordering. Marble tops are cheaper/the same price as the cheaper quality Formica tops so definately another Italian bonus.
Italian kitchens REALLY are expensive by comparison and the fitting's not cheap either.
Best of luck - let us all know how your building project goes!!
Posted by: Simon Pearson | November 13, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Hi Simon
You're definitely overestimating my ability to use a screwdriver and assemble things! If I was in charge, we'd probably have the worktop next to the floor.
Our kitchen is tiny and the appliances are integrated which means I've not been able to buy them from Euronics. For the same reason, buying online was out of the question, too. (I've only been able to do that for the washing machine that goes in the bathroom).
As for building, I'm not building anything. Not after the Oh-dear-the-roof-collapsed saga. I'm merely putting the finishing touches.
However, I will be sharing photos soon.
Alberto, my kitchen man is exceptionally nice though, and he is willing to come travel 200km just to look at my kitchen. So I'm forgiving him the long wait for ordering the kitchen. Still can't get my head around 60 days.
I agree with you about the worktops. I've got a granite worktop and it's surprisingly not that expensive.
Posted by: Emma Bird | November 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM