Moving to Ofena

[flawed]

Originally Posted by Barry

Ferdinando Merlonghi figures it will be July before everything is assessed and they can get on with things. We haven't heard anything on our house yet as we figure, like you, it's a vacation home at present and we don't want to bother poor Gianni looking at it for us. We will worry about it when we go in September and have a good look at what needs to be done then.

Barry

Hi everyone.

Rod and I are heading to Ofena to check our place out 28th May to 1st June and we haven't been able to contact Gianni or Giacinta. Gianni has our only keys and I wanted to stay at Giacintas if it is available.
I haven't got a response to email and. I must have the wrong phone number for Giacinta, It is getting urgent can anyone help with some info or new details ?

Thanks, Lynda

[dgudorf]

My son was in Ofena last weekend. He made a posting. Here it is. We will be in Ofena the same time you are with Jonathan.

Earthquake Status in Ofena & Capestrano

Bruce,

I just returned from Ofena late last night and I must say things are better than I expected. Looking at seismic charts, the ground is still shaking quite regularly, but most of the tremors are around magnitude 3 and near the original quake.

You place next to the old olive oil storage vats (which I had amazingly never noticed before) appears to have held up well. And the house behind and above you has not fallen on it (which would be possible concern). It all looks to be perfectly intact.

That being said, like a few have posted elsewhere, there is sometimes damage to the interior despite no viisble exterior damage. My place had some rather big cracks in the ceilings and walls, especially where there are steel support beams, as these resist movement and do not move with the shockwave. The plaster cracks away, forming cracks along the beams, but in some ways is a good indication of the strength, rather than weakness, of the building. So I would expect you may have some plaster and dust, but hopefully no major damage.

Giacinta is doing well, her shop is back open and Vicenzo is back working at the Comune which is open. The Aufinum bar suffered no damage and is open and as lively as ever. Giacinta has taken in several family members to her home who did lose houses in the quake so we are giving our place to them for use for their guests who are booked in this summer. I can ask if they need any further houses for this or any other purpose.

I can send you photos if you like just forward your email to jgudorf@hotmail.com

Cheers, Jon

[dgudorf]

Giacinta Dionisi

0862 956548

3286272866

giacintadionisi@libero.it

[Barry]

Originally Posted by flawed

Hi everyone.

Rod and I are heading to Ofena to check our place out 28th May to 1st June and we haven't been able to contact Gianni or Giacinta. Gianni has our only keys and I wanted to stay at Giacintas if it is available.
I haven't got a response to email and. I must have the wrong phone number for Giacinta, It is getting urgent can anyone help with some info or new details ?

Thanks, Lynda

Just talked to Gianni. He got your message. Mira has gone back to Cuba and he's moved into the garage although the police are harasing him for living in a condemed house. I called him about 8:30 Italian time and he says if you need to get a hold of him call on is phone around that time.

[flawed]

Originally Posted by Barry

Just talked to Gianni. He got your message. Mira has gone back to Cuba and he's moved into the garage although the police are harasing him for living in a condemed house. I called him about 8:30 Italian time and he says if you need to get a hold of him call on is phone around that time.

Thanks heaps Barry,

I was worried because I have emailed him and Rod sent text to him. He was going to try and ring him again today. We were just a bit worried he wouldn't be there. I knew Mira was going back to Cuba, and I thought Gianni said he was going to Germany.
I had to move my flight because I couldn't get one for Rod on the 29th so we are going a day earlier, on the 28th. It will be nice to have the extra day anyway. We won't be in Ofena until the afternoon of the 28th. We thought we would have to get a locksmith.

I am so sorry for Gianni, I didn't think there was that much damage after all. I can't believe they have condemned it. I can't see what harm there is in him staying in the Garage, as it is single storey on a concrete slab. There should be no danger. What a hassle. I will be very interested to hear how he is progressing with his repairs. I hope it not as I feared, that he can't get anyone.

Romolo offered to start the ball rolling with claims, but we need to see what damage if any has been done. I still haven't managed to get the water or power sorted out. Pity because we wanted to camp out there in July.

Thanks for letting him kmow we are coming Barry. We are looking forward to our trip so much.
Lynda

[flawed]

Thanks for the details. I was using the wrong country code. I talked to Giacinta, and told her I sent an email.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by flawed

Thanks heaps Barry,

I was worried because I have emailed him and Rod sent text to him. He was going to try and ring him again today. We were just a bit worried he wouldn't be there. I knew Mira was going back to Cuba, and I thought Gianni said he was going to Germany.
I had to move my flight because I couldn't get one for Rod on the 29th so we are going a day earlier, on the 28th. It will be nice to have the extra day anyway. We won't be in Ofena until the afternoon of the 28th. We thought we would have to get a locksmith.

I am so sorry for Gianni, I didn't think there was that much damage after all. I can't believe they have condemned it. I can't see what harm there is in him staying in the Garage, as it is single storey on a concrete slab. There should be no danger. What a hassle. I will be very interested to hear how he is progressing with his repairs. I hope it not as I feared, that he can't get anyone.

Romolo offered to start the ball rolling with claims, but we need to see what damage if any has been done. I still haven't managed to get the water or power sorted out. Pity because we wanted to camp out there in July.

Thanks for letting him kmow we are coming Barry. We are looking forward to our trip so much.
Lynda

I guess your place didn't have much if any damage according to Gianni. They are still getting after shocks so are reluctant to do much work until the ground quits moving. Until Gianni can get the walls strengthened he's not suppose to go into the house. Our whole end of the village has been closed off so he hasn't been able to go into our place to check it. You can't drive through Carrufo so if you go to Gianni's you have to continue up the road to Villa and come into Carrufo from that end. No money for repairs has come from the government yet. They haven't even fixed the hospital! Gianni says we aren't likely to get any help as these are not our primary residences.

[flawed]

Originally Posted by Barry

I guess your place didn't have much if any damage according to Gianni. They are still getting after shocks so are reluctant to do much work until the ground quits moving. Until Gianni can get the walls strengthened he's not suppose to go into the house. Our whole end of the village has been closed off so he hasn't been able to go into our place to check it. You can't drive through Carrufo so if you go to Gianni's you have to continue up the road to Villa and come into Carrufo from that end. No money for repairs has come from the government yet. They haven't even fixed the hospital! Gianni says we aren't likely to get any help as these are not our primary residences.

Hey Barry, I'm so sorry I thought I'd read your place was ok at least from the outside, but that was bruce's. I looked at those pics you put up before but I don't know Carrufo well enough to identify any of the buildings.
It is good that the Government will help, Abruzzo, but I can't think it will be quick.
It was years before all the works were completed in Newcastle following the earthquake in 89. (5.6)
I've never been to Villa, but thanks for the tip. What is Gianni going to do?
I thought that they hadn't returned home because Mira was afraid to while the aftershocks were continuing. If he can't go home, how will he live? He won't have any income from his B&B.
Where is the hospital? I think Gary was in Ofena recently, and he mentioned having lunch in a hall. it sounded like a communal cooking facility. It is more than a month since the big quake. I am sorry to hear that peoples lives are so disrupted still.
I hope we can do something to help while we are there. I assumed Gianni would be taking care of things for you, but let me know if there is anything I can do for you. You won't be over there for a while will you?
Lynda

[Barry]

Originally Posted by flawed

Hey Barry, I'm so sorry I thought I'd read your place was ok at least from the outside, but that was bruce's. I looked at those pics you put up before but I don't know Carrufo well enough to identify any of the buildings.
It is good that the Government will help, Abruzzo, but I can't think it will be quick.
It was years before all the works were completed in Newcastle following the earthquake in 89. (5.6)
I've never been to Villa, but thanks for the tip. What is Gianni going to do?
I thought that they hadn't returned home because Mira was afraid to while the aftershocks were continuing. If he can't go home, how will he live? He won't have any income from his B&B.
Where is the hospital? I think Gary was in Ofena recently, and he mentioned having lunch in a hall. it sounded like a communal cooking facility. It is more than a month since the big quake. I am sorry to hear that peoples lives are so disrupted still.
I hope we can do something to help while we are there. I assumed Gianni would be taking care of things for you, but let me know if there is anything I can do for you. You won't be over there for a while will you?
Lynda

Gianni is busy with his garden and his various tree orchards. He can still do the real estate if anyone wants to buy in the area! Mira is in Cuba and probably won't come back until the house is fixed. Gianni's living in the garage.
The hospital is in L'Aquila and it was very nice. We were in it when we visited Gianni's mother when she was sick.
We can't do much until they open our road again, hopefully by September when we can go and assess the damage. I'll have to get a second job to pay for all this!

[flawed]

Originally Posted by Barry

Gianni is busy with his garden and his various tree orchards. He can still do the real estate if anyone wants to buy in the area! Mira is in Cuba and probably won't come back until the house is fixed. Gianni's living in the garage.
The hospital is in L'Aquila and it was very nice. We were in it when we visited Gianni's mother when she was sick.
We can't do much until they open our road again, hopefully by September when we can go and assess the damage. I'll have to get a second job to pay for all this!

Hmm I was thinking that, tourist business and property sales in an area still unstable, not a good position to be in. Gianni I expect is coping better than most though, I can't imagine he will be wallowing in self pity, and will instead be pursuing one of his many interests. He said he had more trees now than he can really handle. I'm sure he is keeping busy, helping people too.
I look forward to seeing him.