Wembley Stadium

The new Wembley stadium won’t be ready in time: it is yet another embarrassment for the British at large, but even more so for the Football Association who decided to tear down the building which was, after all, a national monument. Shame on the FA then, and more shame on them now for choosing a contractor, Multiplex, who aren’t up to the job.

The millions of pounds that has been spent, the colossal amount already “over budget”, doesn’t seem to worry anyone. Why can’t contractors get their sums more or less right, why is it that these projects invariably cost much, much, more than the quoted price? Obviously the contractors will put in the lowest bid possible in order to secure the contract, and amongst the small print, perhaps many essential items are left out. But the people who accept these estimates or quotations also have huge staffs of “experts” to examine and investigate these costing. Should they, or their masters not be castigated, for their stupidity in accepting a quote that was “incomplete”, or for not insisting, and implementing penalty clauses. Multiples are facing a million pound fine every week if they don’t complete on time. The FA needs to ensure that this money is collected. It would be terrible to think that the whole thing could be glossed over at some fancy meeting in some fancy place over a few fancy cocktails. But, perhaps I’m too cynical.

However, my point is, that here in Umbria, my houses are built to a high quality, my Estimates are written in simple English, we list all the items that we include in every part of the specification, and we cost the, accurately. In the last twenty-three years we have, allowing for inflation, never been more than 6% over budget in all the eighty odd houses that we have built.

Yes, of course you can get cheaper quotes, written on a scrap of paper or the back of an envelope. But a fully comprehensive Estimate is something almost unheard of in the Mediterranean countries.
So, if you want twenty three years of experience, which is encapsulated in this document, because you’ve bought a house elsewhere and can’t get a really serious and comprehensive quote out of your local builders you can buy a copy from us for Euro 500. Remember, you’re going to probably spend half a million or more on the reconstruction, so 500 maybe a worthwhile insurance policy. After all you don’t want to end up like the FA and Multiplex, do you?

Sweet dreams

John Tunstill
www.propertiesumbria.com

www.propertiesumbria.com

Gas prices again going up in the UK, this time by 22%!!! Isn’t it really time you packed up and came to live in Umbria where the gas actually cost more than the current UK price, but of course in the span of a year each household uses much less because the weather is so much warmer. Petrol is slightly cheaper here also, electricity is about the same, but as with gas, you use less because the sun shines brighter, and as for the rates, poll tax, community charge or whatever you like to call it, we pay a fraction of what you would pay for similar properties. And, as for the outrageous water and sewerage charges, we, for La Preghiera spend about one hundred euro a quarter, including the swimming pool and a fully automatic watering system. www.lapreghiera.com.

1147, the ruinous tobacco tower near Morra is now for sale, about 70 sqmt, 2000 sqmt of land, possibility of enlargement, close to the village, Euro 95 000, and, before you start asking all the questions, you have read the Frequently Asked Questions on our website, haven’t you?

When do we have the pleasure of your company in Umbria?

“COSY WARM HOSPITALITY”

Recent guests here at La Preghiera Luxury Guest House – Umbria – Italy, wrote in www.tripadvisor.com :

“For lovers of Italy who are exhausted by the big cities, tired of overanxious tourists and just want to relax in an environment that encourages pure relaxation, appreciation of good food and great company and conversation then La Preghiera is for you. La Preghiera is situated in Umbria, central Italy, where you really can experience an Italian lifestyle undiscovered by most tourists. My fiancée and I stayed there in November '05 for 2 nights -- which in retrospect was too short a time. The converted Monastery is bathed in luxury, yet exudes a homey, down to earth and unpretentious ambiance. We stayed in the main house in the Pittore Michelangelo room, which was enormous compared to most hotels/B&B's throughout Italy. We had a wonderful nights sleep under the quality sheets and linens. Our hosts, John and Lilliana, with the assistance of Sally Ann and Ines were very gracious, and went above and beyond the call of duty to accommodate our needs. They gave us the keys tothe main house and told us to help ourselves - which we did. We lit a fire each night in the beautiful main room and sat back and drank the wine that was left for us. Each morning they left out a list of local attractions that they recommend and local restaurants, all with perfect driving directions to each location. The breakfast was wonderful with homemade preserves and other assorted local products. We made day trips into nearby medieval towns of Citta di Castello and Montone. The pictures on their website are exactly as the accommodations look. We recommend La Preghiera to anyone looking to get away from it all (okay, and if you can’t just let life go, they offer a computer with internet in the billiard room!) We will be returning as often as possible. Highly recommended.”

K. Petel, Washington DC

Here at La Preghiera, in Umbria, we offer a 3 day Cookery Course, to learn the art of making traditional Umbrian Antipasti, Pasta, Pizza, Salads and Cakes.
See www.lapreghiera.com for further details and special offers!

Today we are delighted to show you a very good typical Italian dish: Fusilli with creamed Zucchini and Shrimp
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 leek, white and light-green part only, thoroughly cleaned and sliced
4 ounces froen small shrimp, thawed salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound fusilli
1 cup heavy cream
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest


In a skillet over medium heat, warm the butter. Add the zucchini and leek, and sautè until tender, about 7 minutes. Add the shrimp, and cook for another 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, remove from the heat, and keep warm. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and fusilli, and cook until al dente. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the heavy cream and the egg yolks. Season with salt, pepper and the lemon zest, and whisk. Drain the pasta, and add it to the bowl. Add the zuchini – shrimp mixture, season with salt and pepper, and toss. Transfer to a platter, and finish with grinding of pepper.

....enjoy your meal!

Lake Trasimeno

With a surface area of 128 square kms. and a circumference of 45 kms., Lake Trasimeno is the largest lake in central and southern Italy and the fourth-largest in the whole country. Of tectonic origin, it has a laminar structure and the maximum depth is about 6 metres. Today Lake Trasimeno is an INTERNATIONAL LAKE, as all the others great lake we have in Italy!
The lake is in the centre of one of the most important historical, artistic and cultural areas of Italy, with a wealth of its own local traditions. Florence, Cortona, Orvieto, Siena, Roma, Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto are within two hours travelling distance.
Not to forget archaeological sites of primary importance, unique monuments, historical commemorations, ancient traditions still in practice today and festivals of international importance(Umbria Jazz, Soul Christmas...)
In this central area of Italy, a lot of variety of local gourmet products, appreciated internationally, are to be found, whose roots originate in time-tested and ancient knowledge.
A very pleasant excursions, as Lake Trasimeno, are planned from the staff of La Preghiera! www.lapreghiera.com

3 Day Cookery Course at La Preghiera Weds 26th April - Saturday 30th April

Join us at La Preghiera for a hands-on cookery course experience in Umbria, Italy.

Meet our cooks, Mara and Emma and learn how to make fresh pasta, fillings, sauces, traditional Umbrian antipasti, meats, salads and dolci....

The course includes a trip to a local market where you can savour the atmosphere of a thriving market town and buy fruit, vegetables, prosciutto and cheeses, the ingredients that you will need for the course.

Also included is an excursion to find the highly prized "Tartufo" or truffle in the valleys around Città di Castello, learning how to prepare and use them in Italian cooking with a dinner based on truffles afterwards...

The course includes:
3 nights luxury accommodation in historic home
Three hands-on cookery classes, approx 3 hours each
All meals including: Buffet Breakfast, Lunch with wine, soft drinks and coffee, Dinner with aperitivo, wine, liqueurs, soft drinks and coffee
Aperitivo and Stuzzichini on first evening
Truffle Hunting Excursion and market visit
Car, driver and interpreter where necessary
With prices from 1255 Euro per person....

Contact Sally Ann at info@lapreghiera.com to reserve your place on the course!