Guardialfiera

Guardialfiera was a small mountain top village in the province of Campobasso, it sits on a hilltop overlooking Lake Guardialfiera which was created a a result of the damming of the Biferno river. The road runs down through the middle of the lake which makes for a picturesque drive. The lake is not used recreationally for swimming or fishing as the only fish in it are carp, chub, pike, large mouth bass (which grow up to 20kg) eels, catfish & trout. Lake was formed by building a dam on the Biferno River in 1970 for water storage for the benefit of agriculture and industrial purposes.
The population of Guardialfiera is only 949. Our lovely host Guiseppe met us in a Piazza and directed us to where our apartment was then went off in search of a parking spot on the main street with Neil backing his car back down the street following him. Mission successful then Neil had to bring the suitcases up by himself as I was getting instructions in the apartment which went in one ear and out the other. As it was a Saturday the Pharmacy was shut, Guiseppe offered to bring me some painkillers from his house which was very nice.
Straight to bed for me where I stayed for 2 days with Neil being an outstanding nurse.
The church bells struck every quarter of an hour. First with the hour, with one bell, then a different frequency bell would mark the quarter hour e.g. 15, one ring, 30 two rings and 45min 3 rings. We thought it would drive us nuts but we actually quite enjoyed listening to them and knowing the time.

Neil will tell his story of exploring this quaint old town.

Guardialfira was not the happiest place for Trish on our adventure and few times over our 49 years have I seen her so ill. Trish was not well enough to leave the apartment but encouraged me to check it out. The main hub of this guaint small village was a square at the top of our street so I wandered up to for a look. Surprise there were 4 Bars within 100 mts of each other 2 on each side ot the narrow street. They all only catered for between 20 and 30 patrons at any one time but definitely had their locals. Tables and chairs blocking the footpath and part of the road. I purchased a cold one and sat at a table close to 5 older gentlemen ( yes older than me) they looked and smiled and I said hello, well I think that buggered it. They quickly got back to their own conversation of which I couldnt understand a word but got the feeling that ( what’s this bloody English speaking tourist doing in our part of the woods).
All the Bars had groups sitting outside having a cold one chatting away but I was certainly the outsider and the only English tongue. Me and stubbies don’t spend long in each others company and when I returned with my second ( by the way only 2E each) another man had grabbed a seat from my table and joined the 5. He acknowledged my presence and I smiled and said Hello and surprise, surprise he responded with “you are English.” Luigi had spent his last 20 years, before retirement, living and working in Canada. Now l had an interpreter and once he explained to my old friends that I was from NZ on holiday, and I loved their town, I was back in the good books and part of the group. These guys meet every morning 4 coffee and a yarn, the bars all shut at 1pm and open at 6pm when they re-group. They had all been hard working men, 4 out of 5 still smoked but now live the simple life. I enjoyed their company 3 nights in a row and at 34d the beer tasted good. 2 doors from our apartment was the local grocery shop which opened till midday then again at 5pm till 9pm, sold all the basics and lots of local produce which kept arriving during the day as it was harvested.Read more