Yes it’s really great to hear Carlo speak in English. He makes an effort. Wish many others in France especially in smaller towns made an effort. In France people in small towns feel it’s their right to think everyone should speak French. They forget that their little villages would crumble to obscurity if it weren’t for mainly the English communities buying up very old buildings & turning them into lovely homes. Also other expats like the Australians, Americans, and Dutch and many many more expats. Italians are more open to other expats.
😮bars on doors or windows are a common thing to have in case a curious someone decides to try and enter your home while you are not around, we would recommend you leave them on.
Exactly. My many relatives have had their houses broken into in the countryside in Italy. Rural, empty houses are obvious targets. Plus you have to worry about abusivi (squatters).
@@hanneliewiese3477🇿🇦 If I lock myself out ... I can't get back in ... I walk around with my door key around my neck while doing my chores... for real 😅
Be very careful walking wooded areas with the pups during hunting season. In the states, we use bright orange safety vests for ourselves and our pets so a hunter doesn't mistake us for a wild animal. Also, wild boars are agressive and will kill and eat a dog--especially if they're running in a pack--just wanted to make sure you're aware! On a lighter note, I am very much enjoying your time in Tuscany. Best wishes on your new property!!!
Just paint those window bars black, looks less noticable even from inside looking out. So much nicer having less humidity, especially as you say with bed linen. Bed linen always feels damp in humid areas.
What has been great to see is how relaxed and happy you have been since you’ve been in Tuscany. Holly and, especially, Indie are clearly enjoying it too.
Your new home has given you and Carlo new energy. You look years younger and you are glowing on this adventure. You certainly prove that change is good!
I was surprised to see houses on the ridge behind you. I had thought you were totally isolated. It must be nice to have conveniences close by but not on your doorstep. It was lovely to see you mid week.....and so relaxed.
I notice your fire place has a large buildup of creosote, soot, which is a fire danger. You may want to have someone come out and sweep the fireplace and chimney! Thank you for the bonus video! Tuscany is a gorgeous area!
Definitely get that taken care of. Rachel Ray lost her entire house because of creosote buildup. She lit a fire and it burned the roof and then the whole house.
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing. I must compliment Carlo on his English. He’s doing so well. Nicki, you have a beautiful eye for design. I love the way you’re outfitting the house-it’s glorious! 💜
I'd keep the bars up on the windows; if they put them up, there must have been a reason. Keep your family safe. I love the finds you've gotten in the thrift stores. Well done. Thanks for the extra vlog!! Love to the precious dogs. They're a delight!
@@slapstickdome9797 you simply open the windows inword. It's not like in America that you have sash windows (I think they are called like that). In Italy, and in most of Europe, we use windows that you open like a door and we also use roller shutters
I think if you are not going to be there for 12 months in a row; I'd keep the bar's on the windows. Even if it's not a crime area it still gives you some peace of mind. So happy for you both; I really think you seem happier Nicki. Love you both! ❤
I would leave them on. Remember you won’t be there all year round. And theres nothing more traumatizing than being burgled. It’s happened to us three times, and you never get over it completely. It’s so lovely to see you enjoying your new home so much and happy that the locals have welcomed you with friendliness. And the BEST! The car parks outside your front door! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕Happy Valentine’s Day!🥰🥰🥰🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱💝💝
Are you all aware that when viewers skip through your into, RU-vid is not giving you credit for a full view? Many RU-vidrs are dropping their intros and opening with the main video. Stephanie Jarvis for one. Just saying…
WOW! this is nice to see Carlo and Nicki back vlogging on a Wednesday. It's been w while, for sure. Good to see you on a Wednesday. Thank you! for the bonus vlog. Now let's dive! in.
So enjoyed the conversation. The sky is picture perfect and the glorious sun just adds to it all. You seem very happy and relaxed as do your precious fur babies. Thanks for taking us along. See you on Sunday. 💐💐
I recommend you block the doggie door when you're not home, or leave for a long time. We had a racoon come in through our cat door one day! Luckily it wasn't a skunk... Should a critter come in when you're away in Positano, you could have an incredible mess in the house.
Hi Nikki & Carlo,I would suggest you leave the bars on the windows ,as you are not going to be there all the time ,so,reassuring when you are back in Positano .Just my opinion of course !!Good luck with all your renovations ,we love watching ! Best wishes Ann 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Bars on windows is typical of Spanish house styles and most homes in the Caribbean and South America have them. We leave the windows open, there is air flow throughout the house, you can hear the outside world and the neighbors talking, etc etc and if someone wants to break in, they can’t. I love them.
Its opposite in the US. Many neigh ors in Chicago NEVER open windows. In hot summers air conditioning runs 24 7. They dont eant yo hear outside noises. House are fairly close together
@@bluesky7288Here in Southern California I keep the windows closed to keep the pests out. Once a day, usually in the morning I’ll open the front and back door to get a current breeze just to air out the house for a few minutes or so, then close it up.
I was so excited to see a "bonus" video today! I am loving your Tuscany home! As special & wonderful as Positano is, I feel like you two outgrew it! In your Tuscany home you will thrive and spread out! I can only imagine all the wonderful things you're going to grow there! And your house is already beginning to reflect your personalities - it is beautiful!
With all the hard work and long days you have put into making your home in Tuscany your own, you both look so much more relaxed and happier... Little Holly and Indie too. It must be heavenly not having to climb all those stairs in Positano and be able to park right outside the door bringing packages in the house. Thank you Nicki and Carlo for answering my question about a vegetable garden in Tuscany and for sharing this fun video with us. Wishing you both many happy, healthy days in the years ahead. ❤
In Cuba and Miami, houses have bars on windows as a finishing touch to the house and its almost like a status symbol. I guess the benefit is that if you're away for weeks and months at a time, your home is more secure. As far as taking the lightbulbs, seems like a tacky thing to do in a first world country.
It’s so nice to see you guys relaxed, and explaining the way of life in Tuscany, I really enjoyed this episode!! thank you guys for all you do, keeps people dreaming about Italy❤🇮🇹
I’m really enjoying all the renovations, color selections, alterations, pruning of overgrowth, and tours of the property! I think you both made an excellent choice and hoping you’ll be happy there for years to come.:)
I believe the bars are common with very old buildings, as they didn’t have screens or air conditioning. If done in newer buildings, I agree with Carlo, that it may be for aesthetics, to look like the older buildings.
Love you guys and the dogs. You all look so content. Really Happy for you. Thank you for sharing your journey with us , we look forward to your next chapter. ❤❤❤❤
What a pleasant surprise to see you two on a Wednesday. Looks like good weather today for Valentines Day. Don't forget to smell the roses and have a piece of chocolate!
Love having a Wednesday update again. Great to hear Carlo putting together lovely sentences. I wish my Italian was as good as his English. I'm so happy you feel you have the time to share more with us. Cheers, Muffy from Oz
What an unexpected Valentine's Day gift to see you both in the middle of the week! Carlo's English is getting much better but keep speaking Italian so that I can learn!!
Thank you for explaining the heating system. I was perplexed by the wood fire. This was a fun Q&A. You two seem so much more relaxed. Carlo - so funny when you compared finding Nicki to finding Tuscany! You both found your hearts' desire. It's wonderful to see you so happy and it must be heaven for the dogs to have so much land to run around. xo Suzi
I think the bars on the windows are very nice makes the house look Spanish or Adobe I like that style, and it goes with your house very nicely 😊 looking forward to all the en ovation a and especially for you guys to put your decorations and style in it👌🏻many blessings in your new journey 🙋🏼♀️
What a lovely surprise to have your video appear! I’m at work and on my lunch break in Northern Virginia where it’s sunny and blue but very cold. Thank you for transporting me away! It was adorable how Holly and Indie stole your seat, Nicki. 🥰 Can’t wait for Sunday’s video!!
This video made my day! I live vicariously through you. Happy Valentine's Day. Working on getting my Irish citizenship, and then I can pop all over EU. Thanks for the bonus videos.
Thank you for the bonus video Nicki and Carlo! There is something magical about Tuscany. Can’t wait for the house tour on Sunday! Happy Valentine’s Day!
The people you bought from really were mean - did they not even leave you instructions for the heating system? And are you suing them for the extra things they took away from the house without agreement?!
I enjoy just hearing you talk, and Carlo as he learns English! He’s getting better at it all the time! Congratulations on your new home! Looks so relaxing in your porch area there! Love seeing all your bargains too. Oh and happy Valentine’s Day! ❤
I would add some good cameras with night vision and voice. When a building is not inhabited for a few months you need protectiion, especially as a youtuber who shows the interior of your house and people know when you are in south or Tuscany..
I’m so happy you’ve bought a home in Tuscany! For a long time I’ve been concerned what you’d do if you were unable to manage all those steps in Positano in future years. Much love to you both. ❤️❤️❤️
We love your videos. You come across as really genuine people. Carlo’s English is fine, we enjoy listening to him talking. Keep the vids coming they are keeping us going in the winter months.🇨🇦
The previous owners sound like the most inconsiderate, selfish people around!!! Omg!!! So Happy you finally have your dream home and can still smile whilst talking about it all!
I am in Australia, from 23 windows 22 of them have bars and all of the doors . This is 21st century security ao I can keep sleeping at night and travel. 🌞
I live in north italy, around the garden a 1.80m high fence, and most houses have bars at the windows downstairs. Burglary, sadly, is a very common thing here. Very often at sunday morning when the people are in church. Bars at the windows are useful, you can leave the windows open for some fresh air and dont have to worry about visitors.
Thank you very much for all these informations ! If I understand well, the hot water is made by the main stove ; does that mean you will have to feed wood to it even during the summer ,
Salve , Carlos it is lovely to hear you speak in English. It’s obvious you have both fallen in love with beautiful Tuscany, and Tuscany has fallen in love with you both. You are truly blessed and living the dream. Bravo👏🤗🙏🏻
I have a question... does positano lives up to all the hype is has... looks awfully small from the videos.. , and how does it compares with the east coast it seems equaly as good as the west ... but no body talks about it....
The bars on the window is a extra security. My parent's when they had their home built in Italy, they had shutters put in, but someone broke one of the shutters around the back (where one could not be seen from the front of the house). So my father bought iron ornate bars and he put them in himself (like Carlo who is a jack of all trades and does excellent work). The bars were on the basement (the oil and wine cellar/eventually also a garage to keep the car safe) windows. The door came made of ornate iron and shatter proof glass. The windows were french style, so nice to open and breath in the morning cool air and the see the snow capped Alps in the distance. You are both discovering life in Tuscany. You will love it!
What a lovely surprise on Valentines Day! I really loved it, as I do all your blogs. But.. I love a pleasant surprise most of all. Many of my favorite RU-vidrs either took a long and well deserved break in/or Dec. or Jan. You didn’t, even though you’re both probably exhausted! I even see a more energized Nicki and Carlo, with a new adventure. No hills to navigate daily, door to door deliveries, a more relaxed way of life and new friends… I’m so happy for you both. Can’t wait till Sunday’s tour!! Thank you both from Albuquerque New Mexico. PS love Carlo’s English pronunciations LOL! So sweet. 😊
Maybe think about solar panels that heat the water in the summer months that way you don’t have to constantly feed the fire, bonus of course is the electricity is free also, as I understand electricity in Italy is very expensive so the payback time would be so much quicker than in the uk.
Enjoying this Q&A‼️ Holly and Indy look so sweet snuggled together next to Carlo ❣️🐾🐾🐾🐾 I still can't believe all you went through to buy and finally take ownership of the house! It's looking great!! Love all the 2nd hand buys. Ciao for now ❣️ 🇮🇹
The former owners were selfish idiots. They should have had instructions on how to heat the home. They should have honored the agreement about the bathroom and the light bulbs. They probably didn't want you to know they were out of the home already so they could get away with the stuff. After you waiting so long they could have had the house heated up for you. I wish I was more forgiving of people like that. When we sold our house, by the end of it we couldn't stand the woman buying it and almost pulled the plug on it. She was so outrageous. We didn't even sit in the same room with her when it came time to sign the paperwork. Some people just think entirely about themselves. Well it's over with now. Still want to kick them in the shins a couple thousand times for you though. "A sore shin for the former owners " Cyber Hugs!
Nicki in Positano a thief would not steal from your house because its 500 steps to your house and then 500 steps up its just to hard I think the bars give you extra protection there
I have been following your posts for a while now & l absolutely love them...💜For someone like myself who can't travel that much, following your journey in Tuscany has been wonderful. Lots of best wishes to a fabulous couple....💜
Keep the bars, they go well with your windows and more important if you travel or go periods of time to Positano your house will be safe. Everybody look so happy and relaxed in Tuscany, enjoy!❤
Grazie Mille, Nicki and Carlo, what a lovely surprise to have this bonus video on St. Valentine's Day. I am very happy to see you both very contented in your new surroundings.
(Moira Ashton) I live in Spain, and we have bars on windows here, I think it is so you can open the windows, and no one can get in, you can go out shopping and leave the windows open,,, ❤❤❤❤xxxxx
Such fun to hear the questions that were sent to you. I bet it is wonderful to have things delivered to your door! Thank you both for the time you take to chat with all of us on this platform. I always enjoy the information you share!
Before anything else I've got to say how my stomach soured at end hearing about how long before heat kicked in. The sellers delayed entry until 7pm, dangled key and pulled it away, then laughed and left you to discover dark and cold new home gutted. The worst part is they'll be back in the spring to pick up 5 turtles whether they return to dismantle shed or not. Wish i was there to kick them in the doopa
Please leave the bars on the windows. You will get used to them and they deter opportune burglars and squatters. Be aware that Tuscany has vipers and in the Spring, when they come out of hibernation, they are particularly venomous and dangerous. A dog bitten by a viper at this time would be in a perilous situation. During hunting season, when hunters are around, keep away from the woods. They are not all seasoned hunters and they have been known to shoot others (sometimes even themselves) but again, dogs off lead would certainly be in danger. My husband is Tuscan born and grew up there and we lived in a small village there for some years. Hope this advice is helpful.
Hi lovely Carlo and Nicki...i was delighted to see a bonus video today...such a treat thankyou... while you both look and seem happy...healthy and stepless 😅...any chance you could get a small trailer or roof box for the car to transport some positano garden produce instead of shop bought 😊... yes usually the window bars are to prevent burglary when you are away ❤
@@bluesky7288 they could bring 40/50 jars of tomatoes bring 10 each up over 2/3 days when they are in Positano 2/3 days before they head back to Tuscany and then a box/bag of veg the day they are traveling...onions/garlic/potatoes...once they are covered from daylight by a black sheet they would be fine for the journey 🤔😬
