Forty-six years in the life of a municipal flat in Varese, no 3, Saturday on the Corso Matteotti

The continuing story of the flat Simone and Rosa lived in for nearly 50 years and the city of Varese*

We woke to one of those bright December mornings.  The rain has finally gone and there is a clear view of the mountains to the north.

And as you would expect there is more snow on the range than a few days ago.

That said there is a mist which seems to be creeping up the sides and has already begun to obscure some of the smaller ones.

This will not last and later today they will be an impressive sight in the afternoon sunlight sharp against a brilliant blue winter sky.

But that will be later; meanwhile the morning unfolds as it always does.

A few people are out on the streets, the sound of the local church bells break the peace and next door knocks on asking to have some herbs which Rosa grows on the balconies.

She is not alone in having a whole variety of herbs.

And it is one of those small but interesting sides of the planners who designed these municipal blocks that they should include plenty of large boxes for growing things.

And because it is a typical day we shall pass the day receiving family who will arrive accompanied by a selection of biscuits or cakes, and in between the two big meals we will settle to the TV.

Now Italian TV especially Sunday TV is something you have to experience.

There are plenty of channels to choose from but most are dominated by light entertainment and the one you never seem to escape lasts for hours and intersperses quizzes singing and a fair mix of comedy.

Added to this is the regular repeats of the musical idols of the 1950s and 60s.

But this afternoon we have settled on comedy made in the 1950 and set in Naples during and just after the last war.

Napoli millionaria is the sort of film which crosses both time and nationalities and despite being unable to understand much of what was said, you can still follow the plot, laugh at the funny bits and sense the tragic element of a city in war and peace and scarred by poverty.

And what of course makes it all the more wonderful to watch is that Rosa and Simone were born in Naples at the beginning of the 1940s, left in 1960 and still go back, so the street scenes, the Bay and the public buildings are familiar to them.

All of which may seem a long way from where we started but it will enough.

Pictures; from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*The story of a one municipal flat in Varese, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/The%20story%20of%20a%20one%20municpal%20flat%20in%20Varese