Questions about the outdoors

[Di]

We have some questions related to life outside. Hope you don't think they are silly but we don't spend a lot of time indoors:

1. Does Scalea have temporali--what season? We love thunderstorms.
2. What is the Zanzara situation? A few mosquitoes, none, or can't go out at dusk or swarms(eek hope not).
3. lucciole? I suspect the climate is too dry for fire flys?
4. Anything else of interest that is special about the climate there other than it's nice?

[Italy4me]

Thunderstorms! Yes, fabulous ones. Quite often at night and they light up the sky so it's almost like daylight.Fantastic forked lightning and sheet lightning as well I think (I'm not a meterologist, as you may have gathered but we also love thunderstorms).
Cyclone also previously spotted out to sea that swept inland and then passed over leaving sunshine in its wake.
Mozzies. Yes they do exist. Not millions though. Best to use plug in thingies in bedrooms at night. Worst times are dawn and dusk so if you like eating outside best to use some mozzy spray on yourself and some citronella candles etc nearby but they aren't so bad that you can't venture out.
Some folk are affected worse than others and I have suffered badly in the past but seem to be a bit better this year - maybe have built up an immunity over time? Hope so! Anyway mozzies bites are itchy, scrathy and can be unsightly so it is better to be proactive.
Fire flies - can't comment but we see lots of fabulous dragonflies.
And buzzards twirling and whirling on the thermals-fab!
Lots of lovely Geckos sunning themselves and chasing each other.
Ponds of bull frogs serenading in the evening.
Saw a herd of goats (complete with bells on their necks) being moved to fresh pasture today along the roadside at San Nicola.
A lovely spectacle and great sound!
Otherwise - the weather in January can mean we are sitting on the balcony at breakfast time in lovely sunshine but the mountains behind us are snow-capped.
Wonderful!
AND - Italians seem to love any excuse for a celebration - so lots of firework displays, which we also love.
Hope that helps, Lesley & Brian

[Di]

Yes! Thanks so much for replying. Very good news on the thunderstorms but I'm afraid I was hoping you'd say NO mosquitoes but I knew better in my heart. Since I live in a mosquito area now, if I may ask one more question about that?

At dusk (the worst time) if you were standing in the grass in shorts and you didn't have on mozzy spray, how many mozzies would be lined up on your leg?

I'm having a great time with the word mozzie. We use "skeeters" in the US, or in the case when there are scores lined up on my leg, @#@$#@$#@$! skeeters. Otherwise, we currently live in paradise. I guess every paradise has its serpent.

[Italy4me]

Originally Posted by Di

At dusk (the worst time) if you were standing in the grass in shorts and you didn't have on mozzy spray, how many mozzies would be lined up on your leg?

LOL!
Sorry, Di but even I'm not daft enough to try that 8-))
So, sorry, I just couldn't say.
Lesley (still chuckling...)

[Di]

Ok, Leslie, I'll take that as no worries about mozzies. You couldn't laugh at it(me) so well if they were really awful! Have a great weekend, wherever you are! di

[bella_ciao]

Hi Di,
I sent you a private message on the subject of mosquitos, treatment for stings, etc., but there is something wrong with the messaging system and I don't know if you received the right message as I've just received two old messages from another member, one of which was supposed to have been sent by you and both of them were unrelated to this subject. If you feel the need to contact me about this, just put a message up on the forum to let me know whether you received the private message from me or not.
Kindest regards,
Frances.

[Di]

Frances,

Yes I did and I did reply. Thanks so much!

[bella_ciao]

Hi Di,
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm afraid the messages got jumbled and the one I received that was supposed to have been from you got confused with one sent to someone else by another member! :? I'm afraid the messaging system isn't working properly at the moment but the main thing is that you got the right info. from me (hopefully!)
Have a great time in Italy - we're missing it already!
Hope all the tips work for you.
Take care.
Kindest regards,
Frances.