How it all began......
Jeff, Sylvia & Shika
.
We first discovered this beautiful region in 2009
Being keen walkers and after discovering a recent publication on Italy's Sibillini National Park: Walking and Trekking Guide (Cicerone Guide), reading about the diversity of the walks and about the Grande Anello
(an 8 day trail through the national park circling around the mountain range) we decided we just had to check it out!
We spent a couple of days at the coast soaking up the beach culture of the Adriatic and the sunshine and then headed inland a short distance (circa 30km) to the mountains.
Within a few days we had walked on exposed ridges, up to stunning lakes of surreal colour, through tranquil valleys with gurgling streams and onto summits with stupendous panoramic views for miles in every direction.
The diversity of the walking terrain was amazing – from rolling hills to steep craggy outcrops, reminiscent of the Dolomites, to lush vegetation-clad hillsides. We saw the most amazing wild flowers, brightly-coloured butterflies, fascinating fossils, lots of strange insects and so many faces in the stones! We also discovered facilities for both downhill and x-country skiing and, perhaps most impressively, very few people!
This magical area just seemed to have it all!
Our adventure started when we relocated over here in 2010 - you can read all about that in
Renovating our Farmhouse
We first discovered this beautiful region in 2009
Being keen walkers and after discovering a recent publication on Italy's Sibillini National Park: Walking and Trekking Guide (Cicerone Guide), reading about the diversity of the walks and about the Grande Anello
(an 8 day trail through the national park circling around the mountain range) we decided we just had to check it out!
We spent a couple of days at the coast soaking up the beach culture of the Adriatic and the sunshine and then headed inland a short distance (circa 30km) to the mountains.
Within a few days we had walked on exposed ridges, up to stunning lakes of surreal colour, through tranquil valleys with gurgling streams and onto summits with stupendous panoramic views for miles in every direction.
The diversity of the walking terrain was amazing – from rolling hills to steep craggy outcrops, reminiscent of the Dolomites, to lush vegetation-clad hillsides. We saw the most amazing wild flowers, brightly-coloured butterflies, fascinating fossils, lots of strange insects and so many faces in the stones! We also discovered facilities for both downhill and x-country skiing and, perhaps most impressively, very few people!
This magical area just seemed to have it all!
Our adventure started when we relocated over here in 2010 - you can read all about that in
Renovating our Farmhouse
Meet The Team ........
JEFF
Hi, I’m Jeff and was built in the late 1950’s from a special mould! !
Before relocating to Italy I spent all my life in the south Manchester area where I ran my own business, primarily sub contracting in grounds management and maintenance for the education department.
My interests over the years have been mainly in the outdoors:- subaqua diving, kayaking, skiing, motorbikes, hiking and climbing.
I also had the great pleasure of being a member of the Cheshire Search and Rescue Team gaining first aid, trauma and tracking qualifications. I held the position of Party leader and was also a member of their Mountain Bike Quick Response Team. I have also passed courses with MLTA and MT and hold the Walking Group Leader & Mountain Leader certificates. Prior to leaving the UK I also worked as a voluntary instructor for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Before relocating to Italy I spent all my life in the south Manchester area where I ran my own business, primarily sub contracting in grounds management and maintenance for the education department.
My interests over the years have been mainly in the outdoors:- subaqua diving, kayaking, skiing, motorbikes, hiking and climbing.
I also had the great pleasure of being a member of the Cheshire Search and Rescue Team gaining first aid, trauma and tracking qualifications. I held the position of Party leader and was also a member of their Mountain Bike Quick Response Team. I have also passed courses with MLTA and MT and hold the Walking Group Leader & Mountain Leader certificates. Prior to leaving the UK I also worked as a voluntary instructor for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
SYLVIA
Having very keen outdoor enthusiasts for parents, my childhood seemed to consist of sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, skiing, walking and camping!
Finally leaving home gave me a welcome reprieve from all this activity!
After graduating in Leeds I lived in south Germany for many years working in corporate finance-related roles. You guessed it, childhood interests were rekindled - Bavaria is a great location for skiing (both alpine and x-country) and walking. It is just a nip over the border into Austria and just a couple of hours into Italy (note where the real interests lay!) I am a keen skier and hold the BASI alpine qualification but nowadays have a greater interest in trying to learn to telemark and cross country ski.
Unfortunately, due to house renovating skiing has been somewhat neglected but hopefully this will change in the very near future!
In Le Marche we chose a location close to the mountains to enable us to spend more time doing the things we love. Unfortunately, the nature of house renovating has prevented us from pursuing our walking/snowy interests to the extent we would have liked but these will definitely be featuring more on the agenda in the future! With the right conditions, the Sibillini range and also the region of Abruzzo offer some fine skiing for all disciplines, downhill, telemark and x-country.
I also enjoy food, most things Italian, meeting new people and enlightening them on all this fascinating area has to offer.
Finally leaving home gave me a welcome reprieve from all this activity!
After graduating in Leeds I lived in south Germany for many years working in corporate finance-related roles. You guessed it, childhood interests were rekindled - Bavaria is a great location for skiing (both alpine and x-country) and walking. It is just a nip over the border into Austria and just a couple of hours into Italy (note where the real interests lay!) I am a keen skier and hold the BASI alpine qualification but nowadays have a greater interest in trying to learn to telemark and cross country ski.
Unfortunately, due to house renovating skiing has been somewhat neglected but hopefully this will change in the very near future!
In Le Marche we chose a location close to the mountains to enable us to spend more time doing the things we love. Unfortunately, the nature of house renovating has prevented us from pursuing our walking/snowy interests to the extent we would have liked but these will definitely be featuring more on the agenda in the future! With the right conditions, the Sibillini range and also the region of Abruzzo offer some fine skiing for all disciplines, downhill, telemark and x-country.
I also enjoy food, most things Italian, meeting new people and enlightening them on all this fascinating area has to offer.
SHIKA
HI I'm Shika!! As you can see I am great fun, I am very friendly and just love everyone and I have boundless energy. I love living here cos I get to walk in the mountains lots and have a huge garden all to myself :-)
Our very dear FLOP........
who sadly left us in February2021 (and who we hope is now at The Rainbow Bridge 🌈💓❣️💙)
who sadly left us in February2021 (and who we hope is now at The Rainbow Bridge 🌈💓❣️💙)
