Visiting your Great-Grandmother in Milan.

Alessandra's grandmother, therefore your great-grandmother Delia, turned 90 years old last year, a great achievement for somebody who lived through the terrible Second World War!
Due to her advanced age, we want to make sure that you meet her as soon as possible. Now that we have your passport, the time is here and the plan is for Heino to fly with you and your mom, stay for the weekend and fly back on the Sunday to be back at work on Monday. It is a busy week that lies ahead for you with lots of meetings planned with various parts of the family and friends.

From the airport we go straight to Bisnonna Delia's house and you are just a model of good behaviour with lots of smiles and kicks in your pram. Needless to say your great-grandmother immediately falls in love with you! Surprisingly, she is also very good with you and can't get enough of singing and chatting to you! It is clear to see that the mothering instincts is still very strong, even after ninety years of living!

Later in the afternoon, Alessandra's uncle and aunt, Zia Stefania and Zio Augusto come over to say hello as well. This is only a small flavour of what is to come as tomorrow's schedule includes a trip to the town of Cremona to meet the family there.

Zia Stefania and Zio Augusto

On Saturday we arrive in Cremona at  Zio Vitto and Zia Vittoria's house just in time for lunch. This now is your Nonno Gianfranco's cousin and they have always remained very close over the years. Joining us for lunch is also Zio Vitto's son, Giuseppe and his wife Claudia. Everybody is very happy to meet you and detailed discussions take place as to which parent you resemble the closest! Equally good is lunch itself! Consisting of very typical local products such as ham, cheese, salami and wine, it is not long before we simply cannot eat anymore.

Obviously you will not allow food to take any attention away from you! Frequent bursts of crying force us to take you on little tours of Zio Vitto's house but luckily there are loads of interesting things to see such as antique furniture, ornaments and lovely old paintings. Very different from our house in London that is STILL awaiting something on it's bare, white walls!

 

After the sumptuous lunch it is time for a short stroll to Zia Annadina (Zio Vitto's sister) and Zio Tino's house. It is clear that this day is getting a bit long for you and that you are very tired. Luckily there is time for a quick toast of delicious Prosecco wine in your honour, followed by Heino getting a viewing of Zio Tino's extensive weapons collection. It is very impressive and the sight of an authentic American Winchester rifle straight out of a Western movie is enough to transport Heino back to his youth playing Cowboys and Crooks on the farm! It is with regret that we have to leave, however it is really time to get you to bed.

With Zia Annadina and Zio Tino

For Sunday lunch we visit Zio Augusto and Zia Stefania's house where you meet your cousins Francesco and Giovanni. Their Nonna Benita is also there and she is equally enthusiastic about you. About a thousand photographs later it is time for your dad to get the bus back to the airport and his flight to London. This is the first time that he will be away from you for so long, and it is with a heavy heart that he gives you a final kiss.

With Zia Lalla and Zio Carlo

The rest of the week is spent mainly with your Bisnonna Delia, but also a flurry of visits to amongst other Zia Lalla and Zio Carlo, Paola and Raffaella Bonetti, Antonio Foderaro and finally Italia, a lady of 98 years who used to be best friends with your great-grandmother Lilli (mother of Nonno Gianfranco).



With Paola Bonetti



In piazza Duomo

 
On a sunny winter's morning you get your first tour of Milan. A long walk from your Bisnonna Delia's house to the Duomo brings you in contact with the first of what will be many amazing Italian monuments!