One of the first people to buy in the new sustainable tourism village of Grottole, Sara, shared her last 48 hour whirlwind trip to secure a home in Grottole with us. This visit sees her clinch the sale with the charming Notary, sample some more foody delights and step closer to the dream. 

Friday 11th December 2009.
7a.m.
En route for Bari and the signing with the Notario. Take son Freddie for company. Stay with friends near Stanstead. Plane delayed one hour on runway...Fog this time. Scan cabin for Diane, whose plan for Abruzzo house 'crumbled' last summer,so considering Irsina. Too crowded. Will catch up at the B&B.
 
11.30a.m.
Head southwest for Irsina in upgraded hire car! As last June we check in at B&B, with Pina and husband making us very welcome. Diane knocks on the door.We compare notes, which is goodand wait for the Tricali team to arrive at 5.15pm. My voice is fading fast...have to bark instead of talking. Must be the excitement.
 
5.30p.m.
Drive in convoy to Gravina for 6p.m appointment. The charming and cosmopolitan Notario completes the proceedings in just over two hours(some kind of record I think). Ten people in the room including the house-owner and his son-in-law,whom I recognise from EPM's website photos of the houses; Tricali  translating everything for me, Freddie watching everything. A good atmosphere. Diane patiently waits her turn in the corridor outside....
 
9p.m.
Finds Diane, Freddie and I in Contessa restaurant, Irsina. The Tricali team join us for some supper. We eat so much..must get a grip and not order every course!! Orichiette con funghi,a staple round these parts, is fine as is Freddie's pasta with unshelled prawns, once he get past the eyes and legs. Excellent meat pizza and mushroom pizza. Hey, it is a pizzeria.

In the corner a wood pellet  stove, which I will have in my little house--to think I was worried about being cold.It fairly pumps out the heat for this large, high-ceilinged room.

Saturday 2nd December
10 a.m.
Voice dissappeared totally.
Cake and coffee breakfast. Walk through town to meet Diane and Tricali, who have been looking at Irsina's remaining houses for sale. We swing by the artisan bakery once more and get to see the staff making and baking things and pick up some fig and red wine biscuits this time.
Pick up my car, with the added bonus of a parking ticket on the windscreen. You know, in a daft way I feel kind of honoured. Anyway, I get to meet the police this evening, when Mariangela takes me to pay the 40 euro fine.
In convoy again to Grottole. Take a proper look and measure-up at my house.It rains. Not enough to dampen our spirits though.
I will be able to live in this space very well. It is heartbreakingly beautiful - in my view.
 
1.30p.m.
Lunch for us in Grottole Caffe back room. Very typical fare. We share plates of antipasti, followed by turnip-tops and crispy sausage with pasta verde. Spicy, tart and moreish. Today is historic,everything tinted with a rosy glow.
 
4p.m.
Back at B&B Mariangela arrives.Takes us to a meeting in the Irsina office.We hear what is available with their management package.She kindly takes me shopping for Parmesan presents.(half English price!)
 
7.30p.m
Freddie, Diane and I venture on foot in freezing cold to nearby pizzeria, where we have a very jolly celebration, some red wine and lots of--well--pizza. We discuss the merits of the two options Diane has to choose between.
 
Sunday 13th December
 10a.m.
Diane is staying near Bari tonight. She is happy with her decision and we meet tomorrow at the airport. Two housewarming parties looming!
Meanwhile, in brilliant sunshine,and tee-shirt weather for the 20-year-old,we bowl along the open road for Grottole again. Walk the streets, looking, discussing, taking pictures.
 
1.30p.m.
On to Miglionico. Lunch at the Osteria. Two Italian families are celebrating something, course after course, signing, chef appears and is applauded.12 to 14 in each party at long tables.
Twins or brothers wait on us. A charming place. We share a stupendously tasty antipasti, the best yet and a pasta course.
 
3.30p.m
Leisurely return to Irsina.  My favourite approach road via the cathedral bridge.
 
7.30p.m.
The Last Supper
Pretty cold now. We head for la Contessa and the charms of her wood-pellet stove. The ambience and supper was most appreciated too. The thin pizza bases have a convert in Freddie,as does the beautiful place he will be able to visit.
 
Monday 14th December
 Airport. Meet Diane. Return to England. Not for too long though.
 
Arrivederci .