Saturday 14 January 2012

A Few of My Favourite Abruzzo Things - Noel McCarthy

Some very interesting accounts of living in Abruzzo from a variety of people.One thing that they all seem to agree on is the total lack of 'joined up thinking' when it comes to tourism and the promotion of in Abruzzo.A Few of My Favourite Abruzzo Things - Noel McCarthy

Often when I'm in the village buying bread or going to the Post Office I see people wandering about looking totally lost! Apart from the churches and famous Sanctuary of Volta Santo theres nothing else to explain the villages' history.



Local 'picnic sites' are left absolutely filthy after a bank holiday weekend with some very nice folks using the place as a toilet.I personally would run a mile rather than picnic at one of these places.On the other hand I now know of some beautiful sites and walks where you could easily spend many hours exploring and picnicing in peace.These places are not advertised or promoted to tourists at all.Mostly it's just by luck that the more adventerous vistors find them.

In order to help the busineess in Abruzzo the tourist board there really needs a massive shake-up!

Sunday 8 January 2012

ground cover

Exposed earth is a disaster waiting to happen. I really cannot understand why in Abruzzo so many farmrs chose to plough their olive groves even if they are on a steep slope. The soil is nerly always clay with lots of chalk and limestones and on the roads it creats ice rink conditions. A friend of mine lot control of her car last winter while driving over some wet clay that had been washed from the hillside.

Ground cover plants are the answer for most house owners.They can be ornamental,edible or both.Edible plants that spread quickly are strawberries,and some types of raspberries.Both are best planted in the autumn when the ground is moist.
Other good plants for cover are:

•Ajuga or Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) - Ajuga form a low, dense carpet of semi-evergreen foliage. Ajuga is tolerant of most conditions as long as drainage is good, but can be invasive.
•Liriope or Lilyturf (Liriope muscari, L. spicata) - Evergreen ground covers with grass-like leaves; adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
•Ornamental grasses - A large selection is available; most prefer full sun.
•Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens 'Nana') - Forms low, spreading mounds of evergreen foliage. Does best in full sun.

Erosion in the landscape, Abruzzo