CHAPTER ONE
Our love affair with Italy began when my brother started working in Ancona in the region of Marche. Just a small seed was planted after a few long weekends spent shopping and eating out with some of his many Italian and English friends,

Next came a week over Easter spent in Viareggio and then Ancona where we spent one of the most wonderful weekends with his Italian in-laws to be who gathered us up and declared us one large family – we were fed to busting point, introduced to everyone that called into their home before being introduced to the day-long feast in the garden for 28 of us under bright blue skies and sunshine. We were hooked.

At this time we had both changed jobs after working in west London, closer to home and were not enjoying them at all – somewhat of an understatement. But we certainly have no regrets, as due to our total discontentment at work, we decided that there must be something more to life, and planned out escape. We had often pondered with the idea that we could move abroad, but always came up with something that could stop us and carried on dreaming. By now two of our boys were at university, the third already working in Italy and Georgina attending Peter Symonds College, where it was possible to board for the last year.

So it was now decided, we would buy a property in Europe – just for holidays, possibly a little restoration…. We would look at France, Spain and Italy (obviously favoured by me – my brother was there, and the shopping amazing!). We decided on a little research! A two week summer holiday, based in Ancona to look at areas, checkout prices, and if we liked what we saw, a further serious buying trip would be planned for October. Seemed sensible. This holiday would be the opportunity to persuade David and Georgina that Italy was the best place.

The process of re-mortgaging to fund our purchase was already underway so we would be in a position to snap up any bargain in the October buying trip.

We spent the first week, enjoying the beach at Portonovo and eating out at the many fabulous restaurants around Ancona, Portonovo and Numana. After that we took two days exploring the countryside – all of which was fabulous before an epic journey to San Ginesio to meet agents, just to see what we could get for our money. Brother David was induced to join us for purposes of translation and we set off to view three houses. Now during the time from leaving the aircraft to now, we had toyed with the idea of making a business (we had previously set up and ran an event company and David had been involved in setting up and managing projects and new ideas for his company.) I had also trained at a catering college for two years, and both of us had worked for many years in service industries. The possibility of a camp site or maybe even a bed and breakfast? On meeting the agents – they informed us that a camp site was out of the question as you must be a member of the agricultural society to change the use of farming land.

Back to the drawing board, anyway we carried on to view three farms – all under fifty thousand pounds. The firsts was set amidst five acres of sunflower fields – the barn in better condition than the house, in fact we had to kick the front door to obtain access and disturbed the family of bats that were its current residents. Next came a great house and barn, but the land was separated by a white road – not for us. The third, whilst in good order, was just lacking in character and size, although the views were amazing. We were very happy though, as we had now confirmed that we could afford something quite substantial, without a major re-build necessary. We loved the area, so now we could put together a business plan, do more research into what was already available locally and return in October with money ready and buy our new home. But. We hadn’t reckoned on the agents. Like all good sellers, they had one more place to show us on the way back to the office – reluctantly the boys agreed as they were hot and dying for a cold beer on the beach before meeting friends for dinner.

As we drove down the white road, a large white painted farmhouse appeared. Was this the renovated place they had discussed or the cheap one I thought we were seeing? After all the roof looked good, it had all its walls and even windows on the upper floors as well as a front door that actually locked. Best of all though, was its position – location, location, as all estate agents cry. Set on a plateaux on a steep hillside, and overlooking the spectacular Sibillini Mountains – we were hooked. Only one problem, the owner was in Rome and the agent had not got the keys, plus we were leaving in two days. No problem, the agent would get the keys and we agreed to meet him the following morning.

CHAPTER TWO
The next day we set off to meet the agent, leaving the family at the beach. We made our way through the winding mountain roads and found the farmhouse. It was the most brilliant sunny day and the views were incredible. Once inside we were faced with a few years of bird and bat excrement, various nests, dead flies … you get the picture. But, surprisingly the first floor was in really good condition. The attic was perfect for renovation with concrete floors, but large and open – only real big job was the whole of the downstairs! Not to worry though – we are pioneers and soon come up with some ideas with the help of the geometra. It was time to make an offer. We left our thought with the geometra and drove back to Ancona, anxiously waiting for the call. Late that evening in the midst of dinner at our favourite restaurant at Portonovo – we got the call. The owner wanted one million lire more than we’d offered and it was ours. Next day we were leaving for the UK, but first we made the trip to Sarnano to meet the owner, sign the compromesso – we just had time before our flight.

It really was exciting, we had actually done it. We would pay the deposit by the end of October and the balance by December – the house in Italy would be ours. We began making plans to turn the house into a bed and breakfast on the trip back. Armed with pad and paper, we set out objectives, what research was needed and what we would have to source. First of all it was back to work and the UK and we must sell our house. We were already re-mortgaging which would fund the purchase, but funds from our UK house would pay for the much needed renovations and start up costs. We began by having a major throw out – anything that wasn’t of essential use or that couldn’t be used for the new business had to go. Next came laminate flooring and we painted the house top to bottom with white or cream paint.

We took a trip over in October (to make sure we had done the right thing) and took some really good friends, one of whom was an electrician. We had a fantastic time with them, tried out some great local restaurants, checked out local bed and breakfasts and got some good advice re the restoration.
By Christmas, everything was in order but the final payment had been put back due to the change from lire to euro – we booked our flights for January to sign the final papers. Unbeknown to me David had given in his notice at work (he had to give 3 months) and I read his job advertised in the paper! I leave you to imagine that Christmas.

January came and we set off for Italy – booking in to a bed and breakfast close to our house. We were greeted by snow! The bed and breakfast was freezing, we couldn’t get the fire to light or any hot water, so duly called the owner who lit the fire and filled the whole place with smoke. We eventually gave up and went to bed, sleeping in our clothes and going back to the old method of boiling the kettle for hot water to wash in. We had our Italian friend with us who was to translate for the notary act. As she opened the shutters that morning more snow had fallen, and we were snowed in. Now David fancies himself as a bit of a Colin Macrae (rally driver) and convinced himself that we would still get out. Gemma and I went back inside and off he went – all was well until he came to the bend when the car took off on its own and headed into the field. Okay so now what? Gemma and I accosted some builders who were staying in the B & B and they tried to push the car out – nothing doing. We then phoned the B & B owner who turned up in a 4 x 4 Panda and duly skidded into the hire car pushing it further into the field. Finally with the help of the marshal from the carabinieri, we were pulled out, given snow chains and finally made our appointment with the notary. But, no one had told us we needed cash for the transaction. After a lot of negotiating, Gemma was made power of attorney, and come back on our behalf to complete the paperwork in a month. We also had a meeting with the bank manager to organise a business account and sort overdrafts etc. We both had suits on, but with the glamorous addition of doc martin boots!

Back to the UK and on with the job of selling the house. By March, David still hadn’t told his parents exactly what we were doing. So the day before he was leaving for Italy to begin restoration, we invited them to dinner. He had it all planned, a nice cup of coffee, show them the architects and business plans and talk them through our new life. But as you know plans are all very well. David’s mum asked how his job was going, so it all came out and she burst into tears. All was well in the end, it was just the shock! Next day David and a friend set off in the Jeep, loaded with bedding, clothes and tools to begin our new adventure.

Georgina and I in the meantime continue with the serious business of de-cluttering and managed to fill 7 skips, not sure how many bags of clothes for the charity shops and the rotten job of keeping tidy for potential buyers. Finally, after losing two buyers we have a couple who want to move in very quickly. Georgina and I find a house to rent and move half our stuff into storage, the rest to the rented house. The day after moving we checked into a beauty clinic to have a good old pampering session.

Now the idea was, that Georgina and I would work until 2003 before moving to Italy, but phone bills were running high, we were paying an extortionate rent, so we decided to make the move in September. We had our two Great Danes prepared for the journey – rabies, other jabs and blood tests and sent off to the breeder’s kennels before their journey in an air conditioned Mercedes van. This was probably the most expensive part of our move – some £2000!

CHAPTER THREE
Georgina and I finished packing up our rental house and crammed as much as possible into two enormous cases. We said tearful farewells to friends, gave away plants, clothes and anything we couldn’t get into the cases. A good friend drove us to Stansted and we checked in. The girl said “I’m sorry madam, but you are really overweight”. Quick as a flash I replied “But I’ve been trying so hard, I’ve been on every diet….!” She looked up and laughed. However it didn’t do any good and cost us £160.00.

David was waiting at the airport to collect us, and it was quite an unreal feeling. We had actually left our safe jobs, sold our house and this really was the start of a new life. It was exciting and perhaps a little daunting, but it always felt the right thing to do.

It was quite difficult to settle in, Georgina and I had enjoyed a girlie lifestyle for the past six months – videos, tubs of Haagen Daas – snuggled up on the sofa in our pyjamas and David had been devoid of nagging females – so we all had to made adjustments. The weather was incredible and one of our sons arrived for two weeks with his girlfriend along with David’s Mum and Dad, who we booked into a local bed and breakfast. Its hard to remember the conditions we lived in, but am so glad we have photos. The best memory is of our ‘rustic’ bathroom. Concrete floor, adorned with terracotta bricks, a toilet that had no flush, a grape bucket to collect the shower water, which was then used to flush. It did have hot water though by means of an electric heater that was rigged up outside because it was too unsafe to be in! oh happy days. Our Great Danes arrived about a week later and loved the open spaces. They spent most of their days lazing under the fruit trees and frightening any workmen that ventured near. We didn’t tell them, they were more in danger of being licked to death.

A lot of the building work had only started at the beginning of September, so we were in the middle of having a new roof, restructuring inside and rendering the outside. There were doors to be opened, windows blocked up, others unblocked, plastering, wiring and plumbing. It was like living in the middle of a building site. Georgina, David and I shared one room, which also housed a garden table and chairs, tv, computer and phone. We had suitcases instead of wardrobes – no door, 2 electric heaters, a kettle and a toaster. We felt like pioneers! The worse time was when the internal walls were being rendered. They managed to get the cement everywhere – even inside some of the bags of clothes. Lucky it brushed off when it was dry. However we had to keep the beds away from the walls as it was so wet, we all had colds and it was so dirty we had to dress sitting on the beds.

Whilst we had a caravan and cooked our lunches, we had no proper kitchen and took advantage of trying all the local restaurants – purely for research of course.

In the meantime I started looking for work and secured 6 hours a week teaching in a local college. Before too long I had other teaching work in 5 schools. It was great for my Italian and Georgina came along as well to help. Oh boy did it help – she found a boyfriend within a week (and is still with him). Her Italian improved overnight as he spoke very little English, despite lessons. At the college it was really difficult – these were apprentice builders and mechanics who preferred to play cards, smoke or talk on their mobiles. But I managed to get their attention with English lads films on dvd, subtitled in Italian. I soon learnt names for car parts and building terms in Italian, and they the appropriate terms in English.

We made many new friends and we were adopted by a great family who had lived in San Ginesio for 30 years. We met them in a restaurant, and they came to see what we had bought and the ongoing work. Once they discovered we had no kitchen we were gathered up and taken to their house for a fabulous meal and lots of helpful information. I spent some hysterical times with Terese, breaking down on the super strada in our jeep after a shopping trip to the cash and carry. We were rescued by here husband John, who loaded all our shopping into his little Panda. It turned out to be an expensive trip as the big ends had gone, and yet another experience in communication.

The work by now was coming on well and we had our first booking for February 2003. 12 guests would stay with us and another 12 were placed in various other bed and breakfasts. They would all eat with us or in the local restaurant. Now this booking was for an old school friend’s 50th birthday and she volunteered to come out to help for a week before the party.

I must admit I felt really sorry for her, when she saw how much work needed to be done in just a week. Anyway there were 6 of us and we worked 14 hour days. We were ready just half an hour before the guests arrived. There was one other part to this tale. The morning started well, we all sat down to breakfast and allocated tasks – Shirley would be off to the airport to collect some of her party the rest of us would finish the last of the jobs, make up beds, set tables, etc and David would prepare lunch for the 26 arrivals. This is when it all went wrong. We had loads of snow and Shirley set off up the lane and promptly drove into the field! Nothing else for it, David jumped in the Jeep and took Shirley. Now we were a man down. Not to worry though we all worked twice as fast and were doing fine. Just one thing that needed taking care of. Due to the very poor work of the carpenter – there was a howling gale coming under the front door. So we decided to rig up a curtain – as we closed this enormous door the wind caught it and also my thumb. Very close to passing out, thumb wrapped in a tea towel and a pack of frozen peas – I issued commands from the sofa – no change there then. I managed to sort myself out with the aid of a glass of brandy and went back to cooking the lunch. The party arrived just fifteen minutes later. It was the start of our trial run and we crossed our fingers that the showers would all work, all the electrical equipment functioned as it should and that these pioneer guests would enjoy their stay with us.

Guests departed - what next?

CHAPTER 4
We had just a day to recover from the early mornings and late nights – we of course did a post mortem on the whole week and came up with several improvements. The one big issue for us was the fact that with the weather bad, and guests nervous to drive on the snowy roads, they stayed at the house most days. They were quite happy with board games and videos and the odd snowman construction in the garden, but basically they had not come prepared for the weather, and whilst Shirley had informed them of the climate – no one believed that Italy could be cold! The problem it gave us was the difficulty in cleaning, especially the restaurant and lounge areas, plus we were on call 24/7 and the only place for us to escape was to our rooms. It was just more tiring that I could have imagined with just the 3 of us, and trusty Cheryl our cleaner escaped from Wolverhampton.

Our next party arrived and were house hunting, which again was a challenge with the snow, but they were intrepid adventurers (3 builders) and I enjoyed a while knuckle ride with them up to Lake Fiastra and on to Sassotetto, the ski resort. We managed to get three quarters of the way up before stopping on a bend to fit the snow chains. Now I was snuggled in the back with a huge sheepskin jacket, gloves, scarf and hat – but they had no gloves. If you’ve every fitted chains, there are pretty tricky and the poor lads got their fingers stuck to the snow a couple of times. Anyway, we had a great week – they were brilliant, even helping out with a flood in the restaurant, after Cheryl, our cleaner had left a sink filling.

I should really have mentioned Cheryl before as she played a major part in us being ready to open at all, let alone on time. I met her in October the previous year, she had come to Italy to begin a new life with her 11 year old daughter and was looking for work. I went to find her again in January and discovered her freezing in a rented house, so we virtually kidnapped her and Samantha – they moved into our attic bedroom and in exchange for bed and board, began not just cleaning but removing cement from tiles, and working side by side with us for our 14 hour days. Samantha also helped with cooking and we even re-directed the school bus to collect her every morning. Cheryl played a large part in these early days, never minding what job needed doing and she became the in-house entertainment, regaling all with tales of her adventures in Italy with her daughter. He sentences constructed in half Italian and half English with a black country accent sent people into hysterics. Coupled with the malapropisms – she’s just a wonderful character. There are so many stories about her, but I’ll save them for a later chapter.

With the second lot of guests departed, we prepared for a family visit and some ‘proper guests’.

By now, I was working in three local schools teaching English conversation – qualified to NVQ standard thanks to my last post with the Army. It was an incredible time for me – and really helped with my Italian. I met lots of locals through the children and was invited to help at the flower festival in the town – a great honour and a great way to be part of village life. My instructions were to arrive at 10.00 pm where the piazza was covered in paper designs ready to become 10 foot high designs covered in coloured rice and petals. The square buzzed until 5 the following morning, when the pictures were completed. Next day we arrived for lunch in our local restaurant and to see the scene in daylight – it was truly sociable – the saddest part was on Sunday when everything was hosed away.   To my delight, I was then asked to take part in San Ginesio’s medieval festival - The Pallio - it meant dressing up they said - I was absolutely thrilled.  I went for my fittings, expecting some peasant’s costume, only to be given the royal costume of the princess of the Porta Ascarana.  Now whilst this was a huge honour, it meant that I would have to play a key role in the proceedings.  I wasn’t speaking great Italian and I was truly scared.  However the day arrived and I loved every minute of it - especially honoured to be a part of it.  Our guests came to watch and take photos, and we were very proud that we had a part in this huge part of village tradition.  I forgot to say that David and Georgina were asked as well, but David feared that his legs weren’t quite up to tights, and Georgina opted to look after our guests!

More guests followed, in fact to our delight we had guests every single month, and were almost full from the end of June to the end of September – it was more than we had hoped or planned for. We have had some wonderful guests and some hysterical moments – someday I plan to write a book for hoteliers and anyone that runs accommodation with the lists of complaints we’ve had. They have ranged from complaints about not liking pasta, pizza and coffee to one who asked fro grapes to be peeled and plums skinned!

However September brought us a different dilemma – money was running out and then my father was taken ill and passed away within a week – just before he and mum were due for their first visit to us. A solution to our problems was put forward by my cousin who asked if I could spare some time to set up a freight handling and forwarding business in London. It was easier for me to earn good money in the UK in my mother tongue and whilst wages at the school were good, they only paid annually in September. I spent two weeks in the UK sorting what I could with Mum and returned to Italy with Mum and auntie for another two weeks to pack what I needed. This was such a hard thing to do, our dream together was in Italy, but needs must – it was a very unreal time and I hardly had time to realise what was happening.

As it happened it turned out to be a very positive move for the business and for Mum, I was with her at the most difficult time and she had me to look after to keep her busy. The sheer fact of being in the UK and on broadband meant that marketing Villa Sibillini became my obsession and I spent two hours every morning marketing and promoting and coming up with new strategies.

Meanwhile in Italy David and Georgina coped amazingly with the day to day running of what was now becoming a steady flow of visitors. In turn I flew back with Mum at every opportunity, thanks of course to Ryan Air’s great prices.

As part of one of my marketing campaigns I had spoken to several production companies that I knew from my event days and invited them to stay. Out of the blue came a request for accommodation from Tiger Aspect and the crew arrived. Within a few days we were asked to take part in the programme. We refused to begin with, as both David and I had experience of ‘reality’ tv, but then common sense prevailed – and there is no ‘bad’ publicity. The viewing figures were around 1.4 million over 10 episodes and we did some 160 hours filming. Tiger also paid for many of my trips back and forth. Now whilst it wasn’t great TV, we took and educated risk that the area would look incredible – if we came out well, then that would be a bonus, if we looked like imbeciles, then surely people would still want to stay with the idiots running a bed and breakfast in Italy! Happily it paid off and again we filled the summer months. Actually we are still getting emails from all over the World, telling us that we are on in the US, Australia and even Holland – its been on three or four times on Sky and we’ve had some great guests from the publicity.

All in all 2003 passed into 2004 very quickly and thanks to my cousin, we were able to continue whilst we were awaiting our re-financing, and our marketing pushed the business and our web site to new levels. 

Next some interesting guests and still travelling back and forth.

CHAPTER 5

Working in the UK, whilst not planned turned into a bonus as I was able to make full use of broadband (not as yet available in Italy) and therefore gave me the opportunity to spend huge amounts of time marketing the villa.   Around one to two hours a day from 6.00 am to 8.00am were spent researching and adding us to various websites and also attending various exhibitions.

Meanwhile in Italy David and Georgina with the help of Sheryl, Rosita and Angela kept the home fires burning and I was able to skip back and forth when we were full.  The TV programme certainly helped, and those guests that came wanted to know the real story behind our new life.

David was also really busy improving the outside of the villa, putting in the 7 x 10 metre terrace with subsequent tiling and keeping our garden in order.

Mum was really enjoying our split life back and forth, and of course - looking after me.  I haven’t been so spoilt for ages.  Mum did all my washing and ironing, dinner on the table and then back to Italy where David did the same.  I can’t say that it wasn’t hard, but it surely was the quickest way for me to earn money to help with our project.

Then came an offer from Italia Magazine, newly formed.  We were asked to write a monthly column From There to Here.  David, Georgina and I took it in turns to write from our point of view what was happening at Villa Sibillini.  At the same time I attended La Dolce Vita Show in London, working on the Italia Stand, which now on refliection probably changed my life yet again.  I was so disappointed in the show, especially the content of the main stage and general shabbiness of the show, I made a call to another company who were about to put on Viva Italia.  After a meeting with the show manager, I found myself with the task of organising all aspects of the features at the show and returned to my former role as event organiser.  I was still managing to work for my cousin but was forging a great relationship and subsequently offered work on other shows.

At the same time David was quite ill, and I spent more time in Italy while he recovered.  For those of you that have ever worked in hospitality you will know that running any type of accommodation or restaurant is 24/7, so this period was really tough.

We had the most amazing summer with superb weather from late April and enjoyed a huge family gathering in May. David's parents were 80 and 85, and sisters, brothers, cousins and our children all came together for a great long weekend.  And then were were straight into the season.  Our youngest son Ian was also transferred to Ancona to work in the boat yard and my brother bought the most fabulous gaffed, rigged, sailing ketch to be refurbished.

We purchased some wrought iron gazebos to give us some very welcome shade on the terrace and guests enjoyed most of their meals alfresco right through to October.  Mum was employed most days with making jams from our fruit trees and we had cherry, plum and fig to treat the guests with.

During this time we began our Hen weekends, which were truly a revelation, I don't think I have ever worked so hard or laughed so much during that summer.  At the same time we were expected some American guests that had sailed to the UK on the QE 2 and then flown to Rome.  We were terrified.  After the luxury of the liner, how would they find what after all, was an old farmhouse.  I don't know why we were worried!  They were wonderful, introduced at Fernando - you can call me Fred, and the family.  Fred spent much time in the pool singing Oh Sole Mio, and giving other guests caberet at every opportunity.  They even threatened to stage a sit in, and take residence in our tent as they didn't want to leave, especially as we had a hen party arriving.

That summer was certainly busy with Americans, and one great lady who had travelled alone from Alaska and was seeing Italy by train anbd cab.  Another worked for US Aid and accompanied me to a local village event - fashion shows and the most appalling latin american dance demonstration - orange lycra on plump teenagers was not a great look!  However we had a great night and she managed to see the opera in Macerata before leaving.

Ian managed to crash his car on the autostrada just two weeks after getting it and then had to buy another and pay two lots of HP!  Luckily though he was unhurt, and thankfully driving more carefully.  Georgina said a sad farewell to her Autobianchi and was to be seen racing round in a silver Ford KA.

The business was starting to grow and by now we were having repeat guests.  I was still going back and forth and bringing half of Ikea with me in my case.  Yet more decorating and gardening ensued and the normal breakdown of our dishwasher whenever we were busy!