Writer, EFL teacher, trainer, and translator, I was born in Tanzania, have lived in a dozen countries over three continents, and describe myself as an ‘expatriate sin patria’. Wherever I go I make it my business to learn the language, get to know the local people and customs, and discover the country’s remotest corners. I became interested in writing in mid-2006, did a short Open University creative writing course and a Writers’ Bureau course, and began getting articles published in 2007.

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Abbateggio was an isolated spot: there were no telephones, and in winter it was cut of from the rest of the country for long periods, because of the snow.

Maria soon turned out to be an excellent assistant and interpreter for her husband: although she was originally from the north of Italy, she learnt the local dialect quickly. Patients often consulted her first, leaving a ‘cumplimente’, a present, which might be cheese, eggs or potatoes. They opened their hearts to her, and she then communicated what she had learnt to Ugo.

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When I was in Italy last week, we went to Abbateggio (the reason will soon become clear as i develop my 'Family History' blog). We stayed at a wonderful place called Casa Giumentina. We really received an exceptional welcome from the owners, and I offered to edit/translate their website (http://www.casagiumentina.it/index.php). I would be very grateful if you could have a look both at the website and at my edited version below, and let me know what you think - is it clear? (I've already mentioned to the owners that they should quote distances in the directions). Many thanks .

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