Moving to Ofena

[flawed]

Thank you so much Judy,

I have found the houses around people very good, and helpful so I will definitely try Francesca if we are successful. We need to have all the services connected, some power and light strung and somewhere to shower. I don't think the place has any sewer, oh dear much to do! the roof leaks a little too! Oh and the stairs have collapsed !

That's why I thought for our first visit the bed and breakfast was a good idea.

Gianni the agent has one too but he is in the town higher up.

it's always nice to get a referral.

Lynda

[maisie21]

Hi Lynda
We also stayed in B&B's initially but as our visits became more frequent that option was becoming too expensive as it was diverting money away from the renovation. As soon as we were able to we started staying at the house, it was like camping but indoors. We slept on an air bed and cooked on the wood burning stove, very basic, but the end result will be worth it.
We have a new bathroom now although we are still waiting to have the gas connected although we completed the paperwork in April.
Judy.

[Elisa]

Hi Lynda, if you send me an email i can give you some names of people in Ofena for the work you have to get done around the house.

Also I know someone that rents their home in Ofena in case you are staying a long period of time, she has a lovely apartment. Otherwise you can stay in Popoli or Sulmona they have lots of B&B's.

They are having a very hot summer in general all over Italy,, i called my aunt in Ofena a few days ago and she said it is very very hot!

You can email me for any other questions.

[Barry]

Buses
Has anyone tried the bus from L'Aquila? I thought we would forgo renting a car in September and try and learn how to get around by bus. I understand it dosen't leave from the bus terminal in L'Aquila but somewhere on the highway ?
How often does it run?

Barry

[Elisa]

Originally Posted by Barry

Buses
Has anyone tried the bus from L'Aquila? I thought we would forgo renting a car in September and try and learn how to get around by bus. I understand it dosen't leave from the bus terminal in L'Aquila but somewhere on the highway ?
How often does it run?

Barry

Barry, I know the bus from L'aquila stops at the (bivio)intersection of Ofena/Capestrano.. that bus goes to Pescara and it makes several stops along the way.

I know the Corriera (bus) leaves every morning from Ofena to Pescara and returns in the afternoon.

From L'Aquila you can catch the Arpa Bus Line (arpaonline)

[maisie21]

Hi Barry
We have not tried the bus service yet as we always rent a car as that is a more practical option for us as we need a car to transport the tools and household goods that we need to buy to carry on with the renovation.
There is a web site that you can access that gives you the timetable for the Arpa bus service in and around Abruzzo as well as the timetable from the terminus at Rome.You can also access the timetable for the rail network.
The bus service,however, has a very good reputation.
Judy.

[Elisa]

Barry you can always email me for the schedule,

[Barry]

Hi Lynda,

How is my cousin Gianni? I hope he warned you about buying a ruin? There was a developer from Pescara who bought a bunch of ruins in Carrufo last year. He brought in some Romanians to fix them up and about halfway through the first renovation he disappeared owing his workers and the former owners of the properties.
Barry

[Barry]

The second half of our house was never finished but used to store hay. As a result we have a large amount of old hay and wood to get rid of before we can do anything with it. Does anyone have a contact that could clean and dispose of it for us? I would guess there would be a couple of truckloads at least. I started shovelling it down the stairs to the main floor but quickly ran out of room to store it. One of the locals has a pickup truck that he offered to lend me but it is so small that it would take weeks to haul it all.

Barry

[maisie21]

Hi Barry
What sort of wood is it? Is it suitable for burning in a wood burning stove?
Do you need it moving to a landfill site as there is only one in Abruzzo, apparently it costs approx 300 euros to have any rubbish moved,as it is owned by a private company.We have already filled one skip and will probably need to hire another one as there is a lot of rubbish in our barn and we will also have some more rubble to dispose of.The Italians are very strict about how you dispose of any rubbish as they are trying to do their bit for the global environment.
Judy.