Selwyn Times: August 21, 2019

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday August 21 2019 9
A holiday of sweating
in heat and stressing over illness
IT IS HOT here. Swimming in
sweat and trapped inside in the
heat. But that’s to be expected
from an Italian summer.
We are in Laura’s home town
of Pravisdomini, a rural village
about an hour north of Venice,
staying in the apartment where
Laura’s mum used to live.
So far we’ve only managed to
catch up with a few people and
get out a handful of times due
to the constant heat and poor
Vittoria only just getting over
being sick from the week before
last.
You might remember from last
week that poor wee Vittoria had
not only been on antibiotics but
had vomited in Dubai airport on
our way over.
For the whole of last week she
was off her food (which is a quite
a big deal considering we’re in
Italy) and would vomit at least
once a day. Normally after slowly
having a munch on some cheese
or grapes, some of the only
things she would eat.
Then on Wednesday she came
out in a nasty looking red rash
which was all over her body
by Thursday. With the recent
outbreak of measles at home in
mind, we were worried that it
ON THE MEND: First time
walking in jandals on one of
the very few walks of week
one in Pravisdomini.
could be something sinister, so
we took a plunge into the Italian
health system.
Being that we’re staying in a
fairly small rural village near
Venice there’s nothing like a 24-
VITTORIA
& Matt
aclandpark.co.nz
0800 ACLAND
hour surgery here. So we booked
in to see the local doctor (who
even wore a white coat) who sent
us to the paediatric ward of the
nearby San Vito hospital.
We were obviously stretched
pretty thin emotionally at
this stage after spending days
stressing about Vittoria and not
sleeping well.
Bubs on the other hand
had managed to have a ball in
between vomits since discovering
a love of the tarantella (a type
of music from Southern Italy)
through the magic of a small
singing hamster toy. Weird
right? I mean, we’re not even in
Southern Italy and I still hear
Che La Luna about a million
times a day.
Thankfully said hospital was
incredibly quiet and we were
seen almost as soon as we walked
in. After a thorough check we
were told that it was likely down
to be a reaction to the antibiotics.
Nothing to worry about and
it would clear up on its own in a
couple of days. The cherry on top
was that it didn’t cost as much as
I feared. Less than 60 Euro isn’t
too bad seeing as we’re foreign.
With absolute relief awash
through our systems we went out
to eat on Saturday night with
my sister-in-law Christine, her
partner Fabrizio, my nephew
William, his partner Sara and
their daughter Grace (who’s
around the same age as Vittoria).
The village was celebrating La
Festa del Gran Perdon, a religious
festival which takes place every
five years. Over the weekend
there was music, theatre, games
and a massive barbecue by the
church, a beautiful 600-year-old
edifice that nobody here thinks is
as amazing as I do.
Although it was still hot
enough to fuse your shirt to your
skin it was great to finally get out
and spend some time with family
and see Vittoria finally taste
(literally and figuratively) a little
of her mum’s culture as well.
•Former Star Media
journalist Matt Salmons has
become a stay-at-home
dad. We follow his journey
weekly.
Canterbury’s fastest selling
new subdivision
Caring about
Selwyn
KEEP NEW Zealand Beautiful is
setting its sights on Selwyn.
The not-for-profit charitable
organisation has announced plans
to open a local branch in the
district.
“Keep New Zealand Beautiful
plans to further develop its connection
with the Selwyn District
Council which will enable us to
enhance local branch capability
through this engagement process,”
a spokesperson said.
The branches three main functions
will be service, education
and advocacy. This includes setting
up volunteer opportunities,
educating schools and the community
around environmental
issues.
Councillor Craig Watson said
Selwyn has one of the youngest
populations in the country with
people that care deeply about the
next generation and the district.
“Keep New Zealand Beautiful
provides you with a new and
exciting avenue to get involved in
making Selwyn even more great,’’
he said.
A meeting will be held at 7pm
on August 29 at the West Melton
Community and Recreation
Centre.
JOIN US NOW!
See website for details
BENDON
Biggest bra sale. Sets from $20,
Bras 2 for $35, Sleepwear from $20.
Selected styles. While stocks last.
RODD & GUNN
Buy one, receive the second item half
price. 2nd item the cheaper of the two.
ADIDAS
50% off the lowest marked price
storewide. Valid 22 Aug to 25 Aug.
Exclusions & conditions apply.
HALLENSTEINS
Blazers & Jackets $30. White business
shirts now $10. Selected styles.
STYLES MAY DIFFER
TO IMAGE SHOWN
UNDER ARMOUR
2 for $100 hoodies & joggers.
Conditions apply.
Sign up to Smart Deals & be in the monthly draw for a $100 Dress-Smart gift card!
CHRISTCHURCH 409 Main South Road, Hornby
www.dress-smart.co.nz
Open 10am-5pm, 7 Days 03 349 5750