Buyer's Remorse

One of my favourite novels is Richard Ford's 'The Lay of the Land'.  The story of a New Jeresey realtor reaching retirement. A bit like John Updike's Rabbit at Rest but much better and less bombastic and macho.

There is a fair bit in the book about 'buyer's remorse'. We suffered a major attack today. We wondered about price, about the set-up, about every bloody thing.

It seems a necessary stage of house-buying but multiplied by a million lire when you are in 'foreign' and even though you think you understand you are never really sure. We have a good lawyer playing backstop and spotting foul balls and funny business. But it can get pretty fraught.

One thing that exists in Italy is the so-called 'diritto di prelazione'. This gives neighbouring farmers the right to buy the property on sale at the price agreed with another buyer. Unless you get a stamped declaration from each neighbouring farming giving up this right on this transaction they can excercise their right to buy for the next two years. And if the property comes up for sale again they have that right renewed. Slightly tricky.

Anyway it was a gloomy day and I went into Florence's Sant'Ambrogio market and bought a van load of veg, fruit and deliciousness.

Including a chicken that I hope will actually be tender. Warning: in Italy many different sorts of chicken are sold. Many are for boiling or very slow roasting. Lots of flavour but tough old birds. I specifically asked the guy in the market if this one will be tender and sweet cooked in the oven. He has given me his word that it will be.

I also bought the little pan because as a leftie I am sick and tired of pots that only pour for right handers. How can a man make a caffe latte with a right-side only pan, I ask you.