by Neil Caen was always on the agenda for our world trip, although we didn't plan to stay very long. Looking back, we should have scheduled a bit longer of a stay, because Caen is a town full of history and character. There is an interesting blend of old and new, with classic architecture rubbing …
A couple of French libraries
By Rachel So I wasn't intending to do another library post. I wasn't actually thinking I would be going into any more libraries. But...you know how it is, you go for a walk and lo and behold there's a library - and it looks kind of cool. Can't NOT go in. So it was in …
The first weekend of June
by Rachel Just over a week ago was the first weekend of June - a holiday weekend of sorts, we discovered, in Italy. We sure had some holiday experiences in Roviano! Let's start with Friday night. We arrived back on the train from Tivoli and the piazza was just hopping! It turns out that the …
Hadrian’s summer cottage
by Neil Last Friday, the S-J's decided to go on a little hike to check out some Roman ruins just outside of Tivoli. We decided to walk because Google Maps assured us there was no public transit from Tivoli to the site of Villa Adriana----Google was wrong. There is public transit because it passed us …
Getting to know Knossos
by Neil We have been back in Italy for nearly two weeks now and I am finally getting down to writing a post about Crete. I am not, as is often the case, suffering from procrastination, but still basking in the experience. I liked the idea of Crete, heck, it's been a lifelong ambition to …
Conferencing in Crete
By Rachel If you are presenting at a conference there are not many more appealing locations than Chania (or Hania) in Crete where we spent last week. The Qualitative & Quantitative Methods in Libraries (commonly known as QQML) celebrated its 10th anniversary by returning to the site of the first conference. And lucky me (and …
Farewell to friends
By Rachel It was with lots of sadness that we said goodbye to Penny and Jacob yesterday as they continued on their travels to England and relatives. We had a great month together - laughing, learning, and exploring. Together we learned, somewhat, about the flow of things in Roviano. When things are open, when they're …
Working without an office – Roviano style
By Rachel It's half way through our time in Roviano already so I thought it was appropriate to share my new 'office' with you. Not quite the same as Adelaide - there's no public library to spend portion s of our day at - but it's been pretty great, particularly in the sunny days. When …
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Roviano and me
by Neil We have been in Roviano for about a month now and it is proving to be quite the interesting experience. The most common reaction we get from Italians we meet who don't live here is "Roviano?" "Why Roviano?" Good question, difficult to answer. The decision to stay here was based on wifi availability, …
Cocullo and the Festa dei Serpari (aka Snake Festival)
By Rachel On Tuesday we travelled to Cocullo to experience the Festa dei Serpari. Taking place annually since 1392, the festival celebrates Domenico di Soro, the patron saint of Cocullo, who is believed to have made snakes from farmers' fields disappear. As part of the festival, a statue of the saint is transported in procession …
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A year of discovery 