Finally home

You might recall from the 'Plaint of the Tool-less Bloke' that I emasculated myself by selling all my tools. Now, I can (unfairly) blame Megan for implanting the idea that if I sold all these tools, I could then afford to buy myself a new guitar. I'd been lusting after a Paul Reed Smith hollow body for some years, and now had the capital to buy one. These guitars are ungodly expensive in the USA, starting at around USD$5500 and going stratospheric from there. Importing one into Italy would also incur VAT and courier costs. However, a world-wide search turned up a great example in Basel, Switzerland. So I innocently asked Megan, 'Fancy a trip to the Swiss Alps, honey'?

Wonderful long distance trains, it's the only way to fly.

I could feel my boyish love of trains being stirred on the platform...

So we caught the train from Milan to Basel, a 4 hour journey which passes through the Italian and Swiss lakes district in the Alps. This is a wonderful train trip that is very scenic.

One of the Italian lakes from the speeding train

Alps everywhere

It really is winter out there

Majestic mountains

Megan trying to catch the view

We spent 3 days in Basel, unable to eat in the incredibly expensive restaurants, and surviving from supermarket grazing. Apparently, the Swiss are paid very well, and so can afford the high taxes and expensive prices of their country. Too bad for the foreigners, which is perhaps why Switzerland doesn't rate that highly as a tourist destination. We were aghast when two coffee's and cake in a small and unpretentious cafe set us back around $40 Australian dollars.

The 'Rathaus' - town hall in Basel

Main square in the old town

Bridge over the Rhine river

We're not in Italy any more, Toto.

Much more winterly feel than southern Italy

Interesting bike

So, I got lucky with the guitar. Because it had been hanging in the store for six years, the owner was prepared to give me a huge discount over the normal price, and so I acquired a 25th anniversary PRS hollow body single cut guitar. It has a beautifully detailed and clear sound, demands a much more delicate and precise touch, but rewards the player with wonderful and varied tones. She is beautiful and I have named her Rosalinda. Here she is.

Happy as punch, Rosalinda and me.

Then back on the train for Milan, before Switzerland bankrupted us both. Again, a great trip through the Alps, then a 30 hour overnight train ride to Catania in Sicily and then finally back to Licata. It was just great to be back on Pavlov again. Finally our own space, we could relax and be ourselves again. We always feel like such a burden on friends and family when we are back in Oz, so it was wonderful to be home.

Swiss village with Alp

Another of the gorgeous lakes along the border

Picture postcard

So, we are getting into the social whirl again. Its a busy schedule, with chess games, skipper meetings, guitar lessons and sing-alongs. And there is always boat maintenance!  I'm also taking a few guitar classes with a local heavy metal virtuoso, Vincenzo, so that should keep me on my toes. Till next time, ciao from Pavlov.