Sick

I'm in bed as i write to you, i have a stinker of a cold, fever and quite possibly a chest infection although kathryn has come up trumps on the medication front i'm not feeling it yet. I apologise in advance for anything that could be construed as whinging, whining or moaning.
I had a fabulous weekend though, on Saturday the weather was glorious, clear blue sky and the sun was shining. Sil had the cracking idea of borrowing a car and exploring a bit we went to a place in the mountains (mountains in and of themselves are amazing for a girl from the flatest part of Yorkshire) called Canossa, a castle built by matilde di Canossa (she is one of very few women who got a solomn burial at St Peters basilica in Rome) beautiful place. We went in the automatica which was a mistake as there were four of us and hills to climb, we narrowly avoided going backwards in some spots- and they say praying is pointless!
Kathryn also very kindly asked if we wanted to use her theatre tickets for saturday evening as she was unable to go. Chriten, Burney and I went to see a spanish troupe perform a piece in Teatro Valli- the third most beautiful theatre in italy, also happens to be in Reggio. It was grand, I'm very glad i got to go and would like to go again.
On Sunday we went to venice for the carinvale- it was the last day and amazing the sun was out and the sky was clear, the streets were packed with people, uncomfortably so in places. Everybody wore masks and some dressed head to toe in costume, amazing intricate costumes. There were stalls set up in the campi selling all kinds of sweets and treats. getting home was a total nightmare becuase there are so many people trying to get on the trains the poice actually were guarding the doors to the traisn and preventing people from getting on already packed trains. We could physically get on the first train and had to wait an hour for another, which was late (you thought british rail was bad) leaving us stranded in Bologna for 2 hours. The train from bologna to Reggio left at 12.46 in the morning. We didnt get into our house until nearly 2.30am. We were all really chipper monday morning!
it was a great weekend though, I was feeling steadily worse and by Tuesday afternoon i came home and slept which is pretty much my plan for the rest of the day. I believe Daryl is coming this weekend which should be good fun, all being well!

January

Ok, I'm sorry i havent updated in a while. After my Nan died there was travelling to do and stuff to sort out. Well, i arrived back in Italy yesterday and started back at work this morning, with Jodi, unfortunatley. Still it's over for another week and then i had the boys at lombardini who are lovely. I can't seem to muster any enthusiasm this week, teaching is enough. Just seem to be carrying this weight around, i know it's cos of Nan and all but still it's making me feel like I'm walking uphill all the time. I know it'll change and it's only been 2 days since the funeral but feeling fragile is difficult enough in a world where you know the language and life isnt such a challenge. My choice, I know.
it was nice to see the family while i was back even in those circumstances. I went out with my cousin on Tuesday it was nice to spend some time with him and remember Nan as she was.
this afternoon I have caterpillars and Magda and lucio. I may go for a bike ride with Nick on saturday and maybe Venice on Sunday or next week because ut's carnivale. it'd be rude not to.