I'd like to do a book swap at my house and not cook! I'm suggesting either Saturday October 13th or October 20th, lunchtime, here in Civita Castellana.

Would any expats in Rome be interested in making the trek?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: alisonk,

Dear Alison,
Just joined expattalk, game for your hse if you want to proceed 13th or 20th both ok dates for me.

If the weather is favorable, I'd love to do it at St.Heliae Garden, Castel Sant'Elia. An amazing location perched on the cliffs on the fringe of the centro storico of Castel Sant'Elia. If it rains, we can adjourn instead to my house.

I would be interested as well. How long does it take to get there from Rome?

It depends how you come. If a bunch of folks want to take the train (ex Tiburtina) to Civita Castellana I can help shift us to Castel Sant'Elia. Direct trenino from Piazzale Flaminio is 90 minutes. In a car, from the center, count on an hour or so on the GRA/Cassis Bis.

I can't make either of those days. I'll be out of the country. Definitely think it's a good idea and hope to make a future one.

Expats in the Rome-Viterbo area:
Don't forget the big 22nd annual Int'l Fair at St. George's School, La Storta tomorrowSaturday 29th Sept. . Free entrance. Take the Viterbo train and get off at La Storta-the entrance to the fair is next to the tall bell tower of the church.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; about 100 stands, music, artisans, free Peroni, int'l food,
You can find me at the Welcome Neighbor table or at the wine table (Fulvio's in charge there).

I have bags and bags of undistinguished, relaxation-type books left from a swap I had here.

I can't commit to the 13th because US friends are coming, but I think they'll be gone by the 20th.

While I know where you are, I don't know the other place at all. How do we manage a potluck there?

20th is good for me too. Shall we say the 20th then?

The garden is already set up with tables, kitchen area, and even a bathroom, to compliment the stunning view. It is owned by another expat, Valerie, who has hopes to make it into a gelateria and has already had receptions and exhibitions there. It sits right above the Basilica of Castel Sant'Elia about 5 miles from my house. We can convoy. If Rose does not need to stay over with me, you can do that instead.

Rose Morgan WHERE ARE YOU? I've tried to email you and even to send you a postcard, but I guess you're really moved!

Anyone else up for the book-swap? Come even if you have no books to offer.

You all missed a great book swap in Castel Sant'Elia. We had superb weather, good eats, good company and book conversation and trading. We're planning one for during the holiday period or in mid-January, probably at artist Patricia Smith's house in Otricoli (ten minutes by car from the Magliano Sabina exit off the A1). Their terrace has a great view of the Tiber valley and is in the centro storico of Otricoli. If the weather isn't horrible, we're also planning a walk down to see the ruins of the Roman port town there on the banks of the Tiber and lunch nearby. We'll be trading books in English and Italian.

P.S. Rose Morgan came all the way from ATRI in Abruzzo with her husband Andrea so the rest of you have no excuse for not coming!

Here's the view from Valerie Baxter's garden, soon to be a gelateria, in the borgo of the town (taken by Lisa Finerty of www.secretgardensitaly.com):