28/10 BOATS, TRAINS... NO AIRPLANES

These days I’m not so much a “jet-setta” (*insert green background and cheesy chorus*) as I am a “train-trippa”. About three weeks ago, at the Genoa Boat Show, I had a chat with the folks from Pegaso s.r.l. (the European representatives for Southern Wind Shipyard). After lots of ooh-ing andaah-ingat their SWS yachts on show, we came to an agreement. See, they need an extra set of hands on a project that’s just kicked off and they’d like those hands to be mine. As you know, I’m still trying to edumicate myself here in Venice and have 2 months to go. So, until I can move to Ganoa perminantly and work for Pegaso full time (ie. January 2010) I’ll bounce between the two. 2 days in Genoa, 3 days in Venice… and yeah, a lot of train rides. It takes 5 hrs, you know. This ain’t for the faint of heart.

In fact, it’s not easy at all. There’s a quick change in Milan (missed that one before) and the last train to Venice stops in Mestre, so you have to catch the night bus from there and of course a boat home (at 2 am). The Italians seem to strike about as often as we do, which isn’t fun at all. Oh, and I’m embarrassed to admit it but I learnt that these Italian trains go both ways! Yep… made that mistake too. But never fear my distant friends, although I may be a chicken without a head right now, I am alive and in Italy… somewhere.

Sadly, all this gallivanting has left little time for weekend getaways in the UK to see my love. I'm counting the days to our next visit.

BOAT SHOW IN GENOA (left) AND RAPALLO (right)

So. Any big name visits this month? Giovanni Ceccarelli for one but it’s mostly us doing the visiting. I mentioned the Genoa Boat Show earlier. That was grand! With a few well placed friends, we scored visits on some fabulous motor yachts. Sadly the Destroyer was not available but Mr. Ferrari Jnr’s San Lorenzo and the Dixon/Freikoh collaborations did not disappoint. As far as sailors go, Vismara and the new Brenta were nice surprises. We went to Rapallo ( a gorgeous little town just outside of Genoa) to visit the big Swans and of course the SWS yachts. Did I mention that one of these, Southern Star is my home away from home in the Genoa Historical marina. Not too shabby.

HOME SWEET HOME
http://www.southernwindshipyard.com/scheda.php?pagina=yachts&yacht=SouthStar&gallery=photo&sez=cop

The end of the year is upon us, and as students it means only one thing… There’s too much to do! Well, we’ve set our individual briefs for the final. I for one am stoked and am knee deep in sketches and ideas, but it seems I am alone in my enthusiasm. Perhaps it’s that I’m spending less time with the group these days and have just missed it. I do hope so.

Much love to all of you and as always, I'm thinking of you.

Well, this working girl's got minutes to write. Ciao for now. ;-P

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