…perhaps not the whole region, but certainly in Bascianella! Snow finally alighted on Italy’s Rocky Heart this weekend, approx. 20cm where we were, so hopefully Abruzzo’s ski-slopes will have been a-buzz with skiers carving elegant patterns into the slightly late sugar-coating. Bascianella and the area covered by the commune of Colledara unfortunately fell victim to a power cut as a consequence of the heavy snow-fall, and we were without electricity for almost 36 hours. No lights, no heating, no internet, no radio, no electric oven…Mamma Mia! How did we survive?! Fortunately we went on some (snow-)blinding walks, built a log fire, lit candles, read books , played with a mostly jolly spaniel, gorged on chocolate & cherry polenta cake (one we’d made earlier) and ever-kind neighbours frying up real patate fritte to share that were great for comfort food so we somehow made it through… But what would you do? Answers on a postcard, or at least a comment…

Author: Sam Dunham

Sam is a very lucky midlife 'mamma' to A who is 13 and juggles working as a freelance SEO copywriter & teaches IGCSEs at Istituo Cristo Re in Rome. She is the founder of the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, co-founder of Let's Blog Abruzzo and 'English in the Woods' initiative.