So the government was dissolved but looks like there is a new Prime Minister, though not official, from the same party.  Whatever.  More importantly to our daily lives is the fact that we've been waiting for a very long time for some things to arrive from The States and we're getting desperate.  Remember the little problem with our accountant and last year's taxes?  Still on-going.  Combine that with the Italian postal system and we're in deep doodoo.  Our mail service is so irregular I've been studying it to find a pattern.  What I've concluded is that our mailman can't be bothered to come to our building unless he has accumulated a certain amount of post, so he must be squirreling all the mail away somewhere till he has a nice bundle.  It is pretty obvious because no one gets any mail for days on end and then BOOM all the boxes are full.  I still have Christmas cards trickling in.  It's very frustrating but to be expected in a country where post offices don't sell stamps.  On another note, it is already trying to be spring here.  GP and I went for our river walk yesterday and there was a hint in the air.  The riverfront was very busy as this weekend Torino is hosting an international sculling competition.  There were hundreds of boats being prepared to race, hundreds of very fit people wandering around and flags from various countries planted along the banks of the Po.  Rowing is a very popular sport here with rowing clubs all up and down the river. 

setting up

Italian champion starting off ceremonies

Last night we went out for a belated Valentine's dinner with some friends.  We went to the wine region as hadn't ventured that far since late autumn.  Have you noticed how little I've been talking about food?  I'm trying to behave.  xxoo me