| 
|
Lots
of Water for dry Sicily.
The weather has been particularly wet here this winter.
After 3 years with so little rain, there were fears of serious draughts
and indeed last year many wells and springs which never ever dry up had
started to show serious signs of doing just that. One more year of scarce
rain and all the farmers agreed we were in for some really bad news.
Well, no chance of that it seems. Floods and landslides have been abundant
and we really are getting a little tired of it now. Predictions are that
February will be the same too. And our menage drainage system is going
to need some attention too. Roll on March!! (Andrea)
|
|
History
and Fast Cars
One
of my best friends here is Nicola Cirrito, owner and manager of the Palike
Team, which is the organising body of probably the largest number of motorsport
activities in Sicily.
Born on the famous “Targa Florio” track, Nicola has seen some
of the most legendary cars and drivers of the 60’s, 70’s and
80’s test and race on this track. The history of the Targa Florio
is impressive enough and worth reading - a race that has endured more
than a hundred years (it was first run in 1905).
Anyway, Nicola’s all time favourite car is the Lancia Stratos –
a 70’s car built by Lancia to rally. And rally it did, beating everything
in its day. Lancia was forced to abandon this successful racer early for
political and marketing reasons.
Well, Nicola has had a brand new replica made and involved me in sourcing
and handling the PR that went into getting the car built and transported
here.
He came up to UK himself and, together, we brought the car down, travelling
in some pretty horrid weather in a rather unorthodox fashion. We're not
ones for the easy options...
But we made it and the car is now the centre of a considerable amount
of attention. Look out for the first historic rallies of the 2009 season
in Sicily. (Mark)
|
