Too many wonderful tales to relate -- best one is arrival on a Saturday at the farm, suddenly no water, try everything, and evidently the internal household pump has burned out (brusciata -- our neighbor Antonio says "my friend Cosimo is a plumber" -- I offer to call him, Antonio says "No, I know he's home, it's only 20 minutes away, I'll go get him & his tools and bring him back!" How else would we replace an internal pump system (and a few new faucets while we're at it) on a weekend for less than 300 euros (the Pugliese price)? We try in every way to repay their wonderful help and hospitality, it's like a little neighborhood contest. We hope this NEVER changes here in Puglia. P+J

Yes, Italian neighbours can be wonderful. We've had nothing but kindness and generosity. A couple of weeks ago, Lorenzo next door decided we should have a street dinner. Our property fronts onto the main street of the centro storico but the rear overlooks a wee vicolo. There are about 25 people living on the vicolo. Lorenzo borrowed tables and benches from the rione, we all decided what each would contribute in the food department, and the vicolo, for a night, became an exclusive restaurant. Well, for two nights. We over-catered to the extent that we all came back the next night to clean up the leftovers. On the second night, three French tourists wandered innocently around the corner and into our restaurant. They were given chairs, plates, food and wine, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves too.

My story isn't about neighbors (since we have none), but the friends we have. Friday morning I fell down our stairs and couldn't get up. I called my English friend, but she wasn't home and didn't have her phone with her. Her daughter said she'd gone down to our village so I tried a friend who works for the comune to see if he could find her. He happened to be at the cemetery (our closest neighbors!) and he came right up. He called to his co-worker to come to the house and then he went and got the doctor who was having office hours. He brought ice for my ankles and stayed with me for about an hour. My other friend showed up and she watched my 2 grandkids until my husband got home several hours later! BTW, I am now sporting a cast on my left food and a wrapped right foot! Ciao, Sz

Sorry to hear about your fall. I hope this is past you real soon. How is the house coming along?