tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88169550282965580812024-02-07T11:05:47.938+01:00Boiled DownYes, this <i><u><b>is</b></u></i> a place for letting off steam, rather than leaving it silently simmering away inside, or indeed burning the pan. It's all based on personal frustrations (not always mine) and facts... well almost, as my brother suggests, I may just have lost the plot.Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-75101386348602064862017-07-23T22:35:00.000+01:002019-02-04T01:18:46.237+01:00Bad Apple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuCemNwfGy4i83bv7LwLoNYeYwLUUfK1ieyCEQvLCvicy8SuhwDYunSCEZX8DradWa8zcYjFLmI2OEOog5xYSzwaZTWsbPOGKwSafvz2CG4gmjJ9pPoPNtl17ZtOnJl7htSDt5og-_ng/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.07.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuCemNwfGy4i83bv7LwLoNYeYwLUUfK1ieyCEQvLCvicy8SuhwDYunSCEZX8DradWa8zcYjFLmI2OEOog5xYSzwaZTWsbPOGKwSafvz2CG4gmjJ9pPoPNtl17ZtOnJl7htSDt5og-_ng/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.07.20.png" /></a></div>
Trying to transfer your photos and video from your iPhone or iPad to your iMac? Me too, but after hours of trying to connect with cable, wifi, Bluetooth, Airdrop, I have given up.<br />
I've searched so many forums and come to the conlusion that only by buying third party software and/or mobile apps is it possible to do so.<br />
<br />
If third parties can do it why can't Apple?<br />
<br />
It's even possible to connect and tranfser files by connecting to a Windows 7 PC, copy to a USB stick and then onto the iMac, but not directly to Apple OS X 10.7, 10.8 or 10.9 ... talk about shooting themselves in the foot.<br />
<br />
Of course I could spend hours, or days transferring all the photos and videos by email to myself where upon I would receive them back on my iPhone as well as in Mail on my iMac. However, many would be considered too large to send this way by the email server.<br />
<br />
I even tried transferring using my wife's much newer Macbook Pro but that didn't work either as it says the iPhone is locked with a passcode, err yes, so where is the option to type in that passcode after I had tapped "Trust" this computer? Nowhere, just the options in iTunes (why? it's not music) to disconnect or reset the phone... <br />
<br />
I am sat at my desk, my iPhone is 10 cms away from my iMac, Bluetooth enabled, wifi enabled on both devices but I am having to transfer all the files to DropBox using wifi then once there download to the iMac and move to a local folder, thereby freeing up space on DropBox again.<br />
<br />
Ludicrous.<br />
<br />
Don't tell me that my OS X 10.8 is too old and I should upgrade. Why should I? The iMac works fine with the software I use daily, and at a speed that is acceptable. Upgrading to the latest OS X (Sierra) would certainly slow down my workflow to the point that the advice woud then be to buy an new iMac.<br />
<br />
So how many thousands do I have to spend then to enable me to connect two Apple 'compatible' devices to share files between them? If I did how could I be sure that it would then actually work and for how long before the next IOS or OS X version would mess it up again?<br />
<br />
No. Next big purchase will be Windows or Linux.<br />
<br />
<b>Another Solution... While I was waiting</b><br />
<br />
I discovered another more direct solution that Apple doesn't mention... or at least I cannot find on their support site... USE IMAGE CAPTURE. A little-talked-about application coming with the standard install of OS X 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 and possibly later versions too. Simply launch the software, it detects the connected device and lists all images and videos on the iPhone. Select a destination folder on the iMac and click Import All.<br />
I used to use it with 10.7 but didn't always work with importing from my iPad so had ignored that possibilty this time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8WNElWkKo-nKGJkdjbMhUnPHekXA6SOOir5WMvn3xwNOPB95vr7m4WJYy-S5ySO2iUYEEYsSj_Fp7ZctKGVUjOO5F4NKysHTtyNod7DTV3lBRyqhhOVhjYSKS71I3wLpsx5C9emSOsA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.19.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="781" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8WNElWkKo-nKGJkdjbMhUnPHekXA6SOOir5WMvn3xwNOPB95vr7m4WJYy-S5ySO2iUYEEYsSj_Fp7ZctKGVUjOO5F4NKysHTtyNod7DTV3lBRyqhhOVhjYSKS71I3wLpsx5C9emSOsA/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.19.12.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The only thing about doing this is that Image Cature does not use the file naming system from iPhone, that is using the date and time. Instead it merely uses IMG_0000.jpg<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GoG72OEqJob6tEFzqSIHEc6i0xJciRVFhmKJ9u8fOu6rbqZeyTeSIOqOCsossm_VE1LkUwMYZrXEcN3tsgPbiWR2k-MSTeDKQNMwTFhtwn0LXxHupTPl8fY4lTgDCQTF-oqnTK7t6Bo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.23.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="438" height="587" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GoG72OEqJob6tEFzqSIHEc6i0xJciRVFhmKJ9u8fOu6rbqZeyTeSIOqOCsossm_VE1LkUwMYZrXEcN3tsgPbiWR2k-MSTeDKQNMwTFhtwn0LXxHupTPl8fY4lTgDCQTF-oqnTK7t6Bo/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+00.23.33.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-72199856334534560962017-04-06T10:20:00.001+01:002017-04-11T09:24:27.263+01:00Italian Income Tax(es) and INPSThis is an update of <a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.it/2014/07/in-2006-i-posted-article-christmas-is.html" target="_blank">the post from 2014 which was also an update from 2006 and 2007</a> <br />
<br />
If you are self employed and living in Italy, you must pay tax on your worldwide income in Italy because you are in the Population Registry as having lived there for at least 183 consecutive days over a 12-month period, or your life is centred there.<br />
Living in Italy for less than 183 consecutive days over a 12-month period means you pay tax only on the income you earned in Italy. <br />
<br />
Since 2014 personal tax allowance has increased to a maximum of €7.500. So how much of my income will I keep?<br />
<br />
<table style="border: 1px solid #fff; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">Annual Income 2015 (2016 tax return)</th>
<th style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">Rate</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">€7.501 to €15.000</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">€15.001 - €28 000</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">€28.001 - €55 000</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">€55.001 - €75 000</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">over €75,001</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #fff; padding: 5px;">43%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is also a regional tax of up to 3.33% and a municipal tax of 0.1% - 0.9% (addizionali IRPEF). Each region and municipality is free to set its own rate within the range set out in national law. This appears to have decreased since 2014.<br />
<br />
Take into account:<br />
<ul>
<li>tax allowances (a deduction of between €3.000 and €7.500 to avoid taxing those on low incomes), as well as allowances for dependant family members (dependant wife and/or children).</li>
<li>any deductions you are entitled to for certain types of expenditure.</li>
</ul>
On top of all these taxes you must also consider the obligatory pension contributions (INPS) which stands at 29% of your net income (same as 2014). 4% of this should be paid direct by your clients. Therefore one has to add this
to any invoice to a client. Note - this is then totaled BEFORE the VAT
is calculated, therefore they also make VAT on your pension
contributions. A self-employed (libero professionista) person pays the highest % of INPS but are NOT
entitled to sick and unemployment benefits. You have to call every client to make sure they pay this amount on your behalf and
ask for written proof, if they don't it is you that is fined, not them.
Apparently 30% of a self-employed person's work time is used up creating
paperwork or chasing it, or explaining it to someone else to do it and
do the chasing for you.<br />
<br />
VAT - Partita Iva - is 22% but is due to be raised to 24% in 2017 <br />
<br />
So assuming:<br />
<b>you invoice €28.000</b><br />
and you qualify for €7.500 tax allowance<br />
further allowable tax deductions and expenditure of €3.000<br />
your income tax (IRPEF) bill would be €8.475<br />
your regional/municipal taxes (IRAP) would be €857 <br />
and your INPS contributions would be €7.250 <br />
<br />
That would leave you just €8.417 for all you hard work that year (roughly 33% of your profit)<br />
<br />
OR<br />
<b>you invoice €43.000</b><br />
and you qualify for €7.500 tax allowance<br />
further allowable tax deductions and expenditure of €5.000<br />
your income tax (IRPEF) bill would be €11.590<br />
your regional/municipal taxes (IRAP) would be €1269 <br />
and your INPS contributions would be €11.020<br />
<br />
That would leave you just €14.121 for all you hard work that year (roughly 37% of your profit)
<br />
<br />
The calculations above do not include VAT. You must register for Iva (VAT) no matter what your turnover is. You should consider this if your clients are not VAT (Iva) registered.<br />
<h4>
Now compare all that with the taxes you would pay in UK, if may help you decide where to live.</h4>
<b>You invoice £28,000</b><br />
and you qualify for £11,000 tax allowance<br />
further allowable tax deductions and expenditure of £3,000<br />
your income tax bill would be £3,400<br />
your NAT INS Class 2 contributions would be £145.60<br />
and your NAT INS Class 4 contributions would be (9% on profits) £1,525<br />
<br />
That would leave you £19,929 for all you hard work that year (roughly 79% of your profits)<br />
<br />
OR<br />
<b>You invoice £43,000</b><br />
and you qualify for £11,000 tax allowance<br />
further allowable tax deductions and expenditure of £5,000<br />
your income tax bill would be £5,400<br />
your NAT INS Class 2 contributions would be £145.60<br />
and your NAT INS Class 4 contributions would be (9% on profits) £2,695<br />
<br />
That would leave you £29,759 for all you hard work that year (roughly 78% of your profits)
<br />
<br />
You do not have to register for VAT.<br />
<br />
These are obviously rough calculations and do not consider living expenses (council tax in UK or property ownership tax in Italy) but it helps illustrate what a huge difference the two tax systems have on your income balance. In this case about 10,000 (I am ignoring any exchange rate).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-90085484945058889442014-07-13T22:37:00.002+01:002014-07-13T22:41:50.896+01:00In 2006 I posted the article "<a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.it/2006/12/christmas-is-cancelled.html">Christmas is Cancelled</a>" which was a stab at trying to explain the tax stranglehold for a self-employed person living and working in Italy, I updated it in 2007 with <a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.it/2007/01/happy-new-tax-year.html">Happy New Tax Year</a>.<br />
<br />
So now in 2014 it's now looking like this for a self-employed person in Italy who doesn't own land or property:<br />
<br />
2014 Tax allowance is EUR 4,800<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">IRPEF Income Tax brackets and rates</span><br />
from 4801 <b>to 15.000 = 23%</b><br />
from 15.001 <b>to 28.000 = 3,450 + 27%</b> on the part exceeding 15,000<br />
from 28.00 <b>to 55.000 = 6,960 + 38%</b> on the part exceeding 28,000<br />
from 55.001 <b>to 75.000 = 17,220 + 41%</b> on the part exceeding 55,000<br />
<b>from 75.001 = 25,420 + 43%</b> on the part exceeding 75,000<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />INPS - (Compulsory National Insurance contributions)</span><br />
Self-employed have to pay 29% (up from 18% in 2006) of their earnings to INPS as pension contributions. 4% should be paid direct by their clients. Therefore one has to add this to any invoice to a client. Note - this is then totaled BEFORE the VAT is calculated, therefore they also make VAT on your pension contributions). Self-employed pay the highest % of INPS but are NOT entitled to sick and unemployment benefits. You have to call and check with every client to make sure they pay this amount on your behalf and ask for written proof, if they don't it is you that is fined not them. Apparently 30% of a self-employed person's work time is used up creating paperwork or chasing it, or explaining it to someone else to do it and do the chasing for you.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">IRAP - regional tax on productive activities</span><br />
Generally 3.9%<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>TOTAL</b><br />
AN HONEST PERSON'S ANNUAL EARNINGS AFTER DEDUCTIBLE EXPENDITURE<br />
OF 8,000 and TAX ALLOWANCE (actual invoiced totals in brackets)<br />
<br />
<b>First year</b> - 15,200 (28,000)<br />
Income tax = 3,504<br />
IRAP = 592<br />
INPS = 4,408<br />
Advanced payment for following year (assuming the same as this year) = 3,504<br />
<b>Get to keep = 3,192</b><br />
<br />
<b>Second year</b> - 17,200 (30,000)<br />
Income tax = 4,644<br />
IRAP = 671<br />
INPS = 4,988<br />
Advanced payment for following year (98% of tax paid last year) = 3,434<br />
<b>Get to keep = 2,646</b><br />
<b><br />Third year</b> - 42,200 (55,000)<br />
Income tax = 4,864+6,960 = 11,824<br />
IRAP = 1,646<br />
INPS = 12,238<br />
Advanced payment for following year (98% of tax paid last year) = 4,551<br />
<b>Get to keep = 11,941</b><br />
<br />
<b>Fourth year</b> - 62,200 (75,000)<br />
Income tax = 17,220+5,248 = 22,468<br />
IRAP = 2,426<br />
INPS = 18,038<br />
Advanced payment for following year (98% of tax paid last year) = 11,588<br />
<b>Get to keep = 7,688</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
So I guess there will still be more pressure on many people to work cash-in-hand in the ever increasing black market. <br />
<br />
<br />
Personally I have given up 'working for the government' in this way and now work as a house husband bringing up our child on my wife's income. I am now allowed a tax allowance of <b>7,500</b> from 'casual' income. I get to keep the same money that I would with 42,000 taxable income if the previous year my tax bill was 9,000.<br />
<br />
A no brainer really even though I have no longer make contributions towards my pension ( which will be worthless anyway by the time I can claim it). <div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-28989392844467163412014-07-08T21:16:00.001+01:002014-07-08T21:21:10.890+01:00On your own doorstepThe mind boggles as to why dog owners are happy for their community spaces (except of course immediately on their own doorstep, drive or garden) to be littered with dog crap or little black bags of it.<br />
<br />
I can understand that clearing up after your pet can be an unpleasant experience, but that is no excuse for ignoring the fact that YOU are making it an unpleasant experience for everyone else who happens upon the mess you leave behind. Surely when you pass there again with your dog you must see what you did, know what you did, and have to avoid stepping in it yourself. You look around whilst your dog squats down to do it again, either because you're embarrassed, want to be ignorant of the fact that your dog is fouling the pavement, park, gardens, play areas, so that you can plead innocence if approached by someone, or you are merely looking around to see that nobody is coming so that you can walk away before getting out a bag to remove it.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you do not step in any, never have to scrape it off the wheel of your child's pushchair or bicycle, you've never had a job which involves using a lawn mower or strimmer in public places. Maybe you don't mind that on hot days there are places that stink of turd so bad it makes you gag or that your child is playing in it whilst you're having a picnic.<br />
<br />
You are probably also not aware of the amount of toddlers that contract toxocariasis, a disease that causes serious eye damage. Certainly there is no sure way to prove that YOUR dog shite caused this in anyone, but how can you be sure that it hasn't or won't in the future?<br />
<br />
There are NO valid excuses for not clearing up after your dog. So do not try to come up with any. We have heard them all before and none of them are valid. There are many many more reasons why you should be clearing up your dog mess and disposing of it responsibly, not only for health and hygiene, moral and legal reasons.<br />
<br />
Should you be fined? YES<br />
Should people have the right to ask you to clear it up? YES<br />
Do you have the right to verbally abuse anyone that asks you to clear up? NO<br />
Are you flouting the law by not cleaning up after your dog? YES<br />
<br />
Name and shame<br />
I for one will be taking photos or video before during and after any such activity, and send it to the appropriate authority. These will also appear online in the hope of naming and shaming you into acting responsibly, although I suspect it won't but that won't stop me from trying.<br />
<br />
I would also advocate fines for any dog owner NOT able to prove they are worming their dog(s) regularly or having with them at all times (when out) at least one bag or a poop scoop.<br />
<br />
I recently saw two elderly people whose dog left a runny mess on the pavement, it must have been ill, they had nothing with them to clean it up. Had I not been walking past perhaps they'd have hurried along but instead they fumbled around in pockets, pulling out handkerchiefs and realising they weren't adequate enough. Passing by later I saw that it had been partly scraped away and covered with leaves.<br />
<br />
For those of you who still think I am barking up the wrong tree here's some researched information provided by Keep Britain Tidy.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Toxocara in dogs (and cats)</b></h3>
<h4>
Are there different types of toxocariasis?</h4>
There are two types of toxocara. Toxocara T.canis is transmitted from dogs and foxes whilst toxocara T.catis, is transmitted by cats. Both come from the roundworm toxocara.<br />
<br />
<h4>
If the fox is also a carrier, surely you can’t blame dogs for toxocariasis</h4>
The fox is considered to be a significant host for T. canis in the UK and, therefore, the presence of foxes needs to be taken into account when control of toxocariasis is being considered. However, foxes will not defecate in open spaces, and the debate that states that toxocariasis in humans is as much due to foxes as dogs is misleading. It is believed that the majority of infections arise from parks and play areas where foxes would not defecate.<br />
<br />
<h4>
How many parks are infected with toxocara eggs?</h4>
Random soil sampling shows that the majority of the parks in the UK are contaminated with toxocara eggs in various stages of development.<br />
<br />
<h4>
If parks are disinfected would that eradicate toxocara?</h4>
Toxocara eggs are resistant to freezing and disinfectants and can survive for two years or more.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Are all dogs infected?</h4>
It is reasonable to assume that all puppies are infected with toxocara T. canis and produce larger numbers of eggs than an adult dog. However, the prevalence of toxocara diminishes as the dog grows older.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Is it dangerous for me to clear up after my dog? Won’t I get toxocariasis?</h4>
Toxocara eggs are not infectious until they embryonate. This is usually at least 2 – 3 weeks after they have been deposited by a dog. Therefore freshly deposited faeces is not infectious, and you can safely clear up after your dog.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Are there many eggs in dog mess?</h4>
A single dog mess can contain approximately 1 million microscopic eggs.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Toxocariasis in humans</h3>
<br />
<h4>
What are the symptoms of toxocariasis?</h4>
Eye disorders are the most commonly reported complaint associated with toxocariasis. This is by the transportation of larvae via the retinal artery to the eye, potentially causing blindness through the growth of non-malignant tumours or the development of detached retinas. The reporting of eye disorders in relation to toxocariasis may be due to the public and the medical profession being aware of the link. As the links to flu-like symptoms are not so obvious, it is very likely that a huge number of toxocariasis cases go unreported and unrecognised by either the public or by doctors. Other symptoms are vague aches, dizziness and nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.<br />
<br />
<h4>
How many people suffer eye damage from toxocariasis?</h4>
In a report by Dr S. Gillespie, (November 1993), he noted approximately 100 cases diagnosed each year, with 50 having serious eye damage. Nearly all were children, who had contracted the disease as toddlers.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Are there any useful treatments or is there a cure?</h4>
<b><span style="color: red;">No.</span></b><br />
<br />
<h4>
How do you contract the disease?</h4>
Human infection of this disease is a direct consequence of soil or sand contamination with faeces carrying eggs of the parasite. As the parasite can last up to two years, contaminated soil and sand is often the carrier as the faeces degrade. The parasite can only infect humans if swallowed. Once swallowed the infection can last between six and 24 months. Frequently the infection is through hands, but also with the dogs themselves or through inanimate objects such as wheels of toys, soles of shoes, etc. Therefore the prevalence of the toxocariasis is dominant in children between 18 months and five years.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Where are toxocara eggs most likely to be found?</h4>
Many infected soil samples are found in the vicinity of children’s play areas, even though dogs are often banned from these areas. Other samples are found on streets. In the UK, about half of the most serious cases of toxocariasis, such as blindness, occur in families who have never owned a dog or a cat.<br />
<br />
<h4>
If I had toxocariasis, how big would the worms be?</h4>
The average size of the toxocara worm is between 2cm to 10cm long; although the worms tend to coil when expelled.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-56245414207455032142010-11-03T12:44:00.009+01:002014-07-13T23:26:19.291+01:00Italian National Debt ... and counting!Italy has been spending more than the National income since the sixties, this shows how it is increasing:<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.brunoleoni.it/debito/pd_s.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
However individual private debt is nothing compared to USA and UK because in general Italian citizens do not borrow themselves into debt.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-25373604623868337952010-08-27T16:47:00.010+01:002018-03-31T23:15:10.124+01:00Cornish beaches better than ItalianGoing on holiday for the beach, sea and a sun tan?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11109478" target="_blank">www.bbc.co.uk/news/</a><br />
<br />
As this video from the BBC illustrates, why would you chose to visit Italy to sit on tiny over-crowded, often dirty, patches of public beaches or pay a fortune to sit in a forest of umbrellas on private beaches?<br />
<br />
In Cornwall (United Kingdom) the sand is just as fine and often lighter than many of Italian coastal towns, there are many small secluded beaches to choose from as well as large expanses too, and they are ALL FREE! Except maybe for the car parks.<br />
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Maybe because in Italy you are more likely to get a sun tan :-) If you want to avoid crowded beaches either public or private, stay away from most of the east coast and if you are in Rome then head south by car for an hour or so and you'll find more space. Don't go to the local resort town of Ostia if you can avoid it. The private beach owners throw all of the rubbish and waste that they sieve out from their own sand, then put it on to the public beach areas. I've seen them do it, and this includes broken glass.<br />
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I would however recommend the Gargano area of Puglia, or if you are thinking of a UK holiday then West Cornwall... and <b><a href="http://www.incornovaglia.it/">this holiday cottage</a> :-)</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.sorgente.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.sorgente.co.uk</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-247443889692768952010-08-23T16:05:00.044+01:002018-03-31T23:53:51.651+01:00The Golden Apple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWGhyqD75usKIvKKpmUy0xzfdAPGk55yOrvx5mxV9Hjle8GArIjXmlFBWuUZOK_PeZsc-smjmMFrbs3azi7ZLYsSEo5lPbeSpwxeqcTnak8RF8f3-ILlyEeEY2o3rKAXbbFEnHN-1cGY/s1600/AGRfoto_3_8052.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510140910339097666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWGhyqD75usKIvKKpmUy0xzfdAPGk55yOrvx5mxV9Hjle8GArIjXmlFBWuUZOK_PeZsc-smjmMFrbs3azi7ZLYsSEo5lPbeSpwxeqcTnak8RF8f3-ILlyEeEY2o3rKAXbbFEnHN-1cGY/s400/AGRfoto_3_8052.jpg" /></a><br />
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Do you like apples? Where do yours come from? Are they local or are they from another part of Europe or even further afield? Have a look at the labels next time you go shopping and see if you can find "Val Venosta","Vinschgau", "Sudtirol" or "Alto Adige".<br />
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I read recently that the apple industry of this region believe that the United Kingdom is the best market for their products because they pay the best prices and on time. Now, what this means is that the buyers for the UK supermarket are setting prices also for the consumer. One might think that the prices ought to be lower if other European buyers are paying less then the UK could also be buying at those lower prices. Why ship produce from so far away anyway, aren't there perfectly good apples in the UK?<br />
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I've noticed that even here in the biggest apple growing region in Europe, that some supermarkets/shops even though they are surrounded by hectares of apple trees, sell apples from Chile! How banal is that?<br />
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It seems that the buyers are setting the standards of what the growers should be producing, and some governments are busily handing out grants to farmers to destroy trees because of a "mountain" of them. Although certainly not here.<br />
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We've been in Val Venosta for the past seven years or so, and no matter where we live we are surrounded by apple orchards and all the activity which goes with it, from planting seedlings to cutting them down after several years, from spraying them with water to form ice on the flowers in frosty spring times, and pesticides in the summer, to the traffic jamming harvest time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeLbmSGj0Qga5P00aMyMB8MDMU97MloKtk2r347ZEn05lTiv4GerXGb4XkE0z8eSugUTeoRvU7WvXe7g8ksiBkEYF107oErXnjtOaHR8iMo5-nnNWkfaCykeGk867GJuQnswuqRjx8pU/s1600/AGRfoto_4_8520.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510158372857527234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeLbmSGj0Qga5P00aMyMB8MDMU97MloKtk2r347ZEn05lTiv4GerXGb4XkE0z8eSugUTeoRvU7WvXe7g8ksiBkEYF107oErXnjtOaHR8iMo5-nnNWkfaCykeGk867GJuQnswuqRjx8pU/s400/AGRfoto_4_8520.jpg" /></a><br />
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I complain a lot about all of this mono-culture even though I find it rather photogenic at times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fDGRJbjjnLbjBteswnNC2druolOA-T-FyGq_eyIrHXnryD5y4lBK78b6N13B9y_bYNbu6LDayGfoS-fhA3Kmltbav5S4wKZfW31Xl52KKqaI-uDuWQIEsgptTWRK_bY52i5mDNcvT1s/s1600/AGRfoto_4_8334.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510158365715995858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fDGRJbjjnLbjBteswnNC2druolOA-T-FyGq_eyIrHXnryD5y4lBK78b6N13B9y_bYNbu6LDayGfoS-fhA3Kmltbav5S4wKZfW31Xl52KKqaI-uDuWQIEsgptTWRK_bY52i5mDNcvT1s/s400/AGRfoto_4_8334.jpg" /></a><br />
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The word orchard lends itself to something a bit more romantic than the reality, when really they are intensively grown crops in massive areas which produce more fruit from small gm developed trees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iZZq4Ws_SRBvBNyuexgOco82MBAT4kyy6sdxlyS_Es9EeVyMpHNLZRr_fV0_s2Yxf9wL1HBzBwtin3z01UTXwitsx-6XnI_-4BOkzDDSK6bLD7h4I3ik8bJf5GKRs3Fm7R8VUaTTHRg/s1600/AGRfoto_P_6998.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510165347668514258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iZZq4Ws_SRBvBNyuexgOco82MBAT4kyy6sdxlyS_Es9EeVyMpHNLZRr_fV0_s2Yxf9wL1HBzBwtin3z01UTXwitsx-6XnI_-4BOkzDDSK6bLD7h4I3ik8bJf5GKRs3Fm7R8VUaTTHRg/s400/AGRfoto_P_6998.jpg" /></a><br />
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Grown half a metre apart in rows sometimes 100s of metres long, regularly and vigorously sprayed with pesticides from small tractors fitting neatly down each isle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50vyJtvAeMnEvdO2USGQXIbpsoJkynOEqZMtPFcNDgBJhyphenhyphen1vpWV5taH78ttGjZvnG__Vo_ZwOluqlwEMTs1mUnv7w06KBbd71gy7KFJ5GvKrtPWUJ-8vOCKFbI40CDnfP1ZDrY1yyctE/s1600/AGRfoto_3_8088.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510134619477263794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50vyJtvAeMnEvdO2USGQXIbpsoJkynOEqZMtPFcNDgBJhyphenhyphen1vpWV5taH78ttGjZvnG__Vo_ZwOluqlwEMTs1mUnv7w06KBbd71gy7KFJ5GvKrtPWUJ-8vOCKFbI40CDnfP1ZDrY1yyctE/s400/AGRfoto_3_8088.jpg" /></a><br />
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They are watered from overhead stand pipes, each field or owner's crop taking it in turns to receive an 8 hour session of continuous drenching. Often I have seen this stretch to 12 hours. If you've ever visited this region out of the winter season you may have noticed a lot of water on the roads and footpaths when the skies are clear blue. This is because the irrigation is not that accurate and overshoots the trees, this is made worse if the wind is strong. Also, the terrain is often steep and after just a couple of hours the ground is so saturated that the majority of water, is just running off. On hot days there is a lot of evaporation too as it is dispersed by a grating which the water jets hit creating finer mist. On days when it rains, even heavily for hours or days, they still take their turn throwing the water away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTbHvJzqOMb8RzkCdh5u0Di5K-82bggLpbhL2U1W3NRrWtVOQefvoQnfZPIG-y2CEMp2yuiAAMaTJKHpiKipxa8wm7M_4TM3C8oS-NdsS8LKxdf0l2_iVjimd3PR3hIKJegbSuB8gSYg/s1600/AGRfoto_1_0963.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510148298642697442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTbHvJzqOMb8RzkCdh5u0Di5K-82bggLpbhL2U1W3NRrWtVOQefvoQnfZPIG-y2CEMp2yuiAAMaTJKHpiKipxa8wm7M_4TM3C8oS-NdsS8LKxdf0l2_iVjimd3PR3hIKJegbSuB8gSYg/s400/AGRfoto_1_0963.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbDIRCAS5OxO_kcbXFdxgw-tzCzoSIQsphUNODPpofaDe_HoI5BLeaOoxD8HtK50pTUmNT8BbDGV24g5z-v_nqERZfYVxyLrZYUUvmzSj_4A8xEbeY9wu3o0L67k6pn4zhfQRYrsHBhY/s1600/AGRfoto_1_1015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510148293637086450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbDIRCAS5OxO_kcbXFdxgw-tzCzoSIQsphUNODPpofaDe_HoI5BLeaOoxD8HtK50pTUmNT8BbDGV24g5z-v_nqERZfYVxyLrZYUUvmzSj_4A8xEbeY9wu3o0L67k6pn4zhfQRYrsHBhY/s400/AGRfoto_1_1015.jpg" /></a><br />
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They are obsessed. The apple has indeed become the "golden egg" and everything else here seems pale in significance. Everything is their right, we cannot use the small lanes that meander through the trees for these are for tractors and cyclists only, which is only right and proper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6TXqGIo9-4NzEsT0Dm0Ai2r6DkRMxDKHkFWK54k9rO6RxrDG2Yvj_v7nhWWixuebPUHgxfkTmTQxA9-xnaLPK0AzzCp-Y7poPXVNjjMQshqYH2f30bPNFdD8z8oXD3iKBMgf7WNGF4I/s1600/AGRfoto_3_8243.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510136855796926210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6TXqGIo9-4NzEsT0Dm0Ai2r6DkRMxDKHkFWK54k9rO6RxrDG2Yvj_v7nhWWixuebPUHgxfkTmTQxA9-xnaLPK0AzzCp-Y7poPXVNjjMQshqYH2f30bPNFdD8z8oXD3iKBMgf7WNGF4I/s400/AGRfoto_3_8243.jpg" /></a><br />
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However, it is also easier for the tractors to cover the distances on the main roads rarely thinking to pull over allowing the tail back of traffic to pass, so they don't use "their" roads until the last moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThPSEabFLwHbmwMr4kOahH44Nnp41drFG69TnX-AROi1J0Ho8ktZp7t_zv7VKIbFwJ9tmIMUJ6WGyxj0-k4dytxK9k30Rrv0xqOiasaJ4JBFouLXA6Hl1VcBiFeEcFzzul-gXZPvuKGo/s1600/AGRfoto_3_8107.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510134145676899458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThPSEabFLwHbmwMr4kOahH44Nnp41drFG69TnX-AROi1J0Ho8ktZp7t_zv7VKIbFwJ9tmIMUJ6WGyxj0-k4dytxK9k30Rrv0xqOiasaJ4JBFouLXA6Hl1VcBiFeEcFzzul-gXZPvuKGo/s400/AGRfoto_3_8107.jpg" /></a><br />
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Supermarkets everywhere are demanding bigger and perfectly round fruit which will stay like that for a long time. It doesn't matter that they have bland taste compared to those small, wild, gnarly varieties that used to grow in your grandmother's garden. As long as we keep buying into this, it will continue.<br />
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They call themselves farmers, but the real farmers in the region are those living and working on the slopes surrounding their property in the higher alpine altitudes and often isolated areas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMoENXgZPnCPOy86Ee9de-UWfyV83vt_I37qeRSVJJobjS994cM5K6NzzfLX9EPMDkF8PvrFq2eTsHe7dg-f5rOeRwVk22mo1-gRpFbfe4cf0ub1NAyWqD2NJCeDI80E8vRsOwUhULUo/s1600/AGRfoto_P_7017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510153029033681058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMoENXgZPnCPOy86Ee9de-UWfyV83vt_I37qeRSVJJobjS994cM5K6NzzfLX9EPMDkF8PvrFq2eTsHe7dg-f5rOeRwVk22mo1-gRpFbfe4cf0ub1NAyWqD2NJCeDI80E8vRsOwUhULUo/s400/AGRfoto_P_7017.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowv_3dYQO8V0x9B5WzpvOiAnr35JuScEvj0UUCQckJ3lAm9yiFCZIziqJXWEJ7DbOb2bd96MFjanSj7ULjKJbsKigbSat422cdvOK9_baXulEQBFtT7ZBz6Rdxvdj7TIgj8SyNVU8QHM/s1600/AGRfoto_P_6998.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510153019897272082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowv_3dYQO8V0x9B5WzpvOiAnr35JuScEvj0UUCQckJ3lAm9yiFCZIziqJXWEJ7DbOb2bd96MFjanSj7ULjKJbsKigbSat422cdvOK9_baXulEQBFtT7ZBz6Rdxvdj7TIgj8SyNVU8QHM/s400/AGRfoto_P_6998.jpg" /></a><br />
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Those in the valley buy land wherever they find it for sale (at a premium) even if it is nowhere near their (farm)house, they plant yet more trees. Compared to dairy farming on the slopes above, they have it easy. In fact in the mid-winter and mid-summer months they do so little that they take part time jobs in the tourist trade. They all seem to have 2 or 3 cars but prefer driving around on their tractors, or so it seems. Probably because they have tax-free fuel. They also do not pay taxes like the rest of us because they depend upon a law that as farmers working above a certain altitude they are exempt. It is the only place I have been where the farmers have Mercedes and are building luxury second homes on part of their land. By connecting them somehow to the original property they avoid more tax.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMyugdUGld8SQOK4X3dK0lRnAFHdKTPwMlr5P1g_VNponxGMOtIZOSjTvJ5bjO2PSdFoTr090M2_wlOvdYHBq-f2qVfB9A_gQWqV6eRn3JtfxzAE9ubcp1RhR3lfUMpFu0LqPjPmaljk/s1600/AGRfoto_3_5795.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510129692608964450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMyugdUGld8SQOK4X3dK0lRnAFHdKTPwMlr5P1g_VNponxGMOtIZOSjTvJ5bjO2PSdFoTr090M2_wlOvdYHBq-f2qVfB9A_gQWqV6eRn3JtfxzAE9ubcp1RhR3lfUMpFu0LqPjPmaljk/s400/AGRfoto_3_5795.jpg" /></a><br />
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We have a small veg plot behind us and until we insisted they stop, it was regularly sprayed with insecticides/pesticides because the trees are at the limit of their boundary with us, two meters above behind the retaining wall. They now cover our plot with plastic sheeting each time, but insist it isn't poisonous anyway. Why does he wear an industrial mask while he does it then?<br />
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One of the trees fell last year, bringing down part of the historic wall with it and landing squarely on some tomato plants, blackcurrant bushes and the composting bin. It was there for two weeks before he removed it and the left the devastation behind for me to clear away. "No harm done" when confronted, "the bush?" was my wife's response. "I"ll get you a replacement", he laughs. We're still waiting.<br />
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It has been a good season for the apples this year, lots of sun, plenty of water, no real heavy frosts in the spring. Lots of golden globes hanging heavy on the small trees. Lots of cyclists helping themselves to them as they pass through the valley.<br />
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Lots of work for the pickers from Poland and Slovakia as well as locals. The apple grower families often take their holidays from normal work during this time to help pick, this saves also on paying migrant workers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEzG0N44mJbhiVqQGdUuksky4XSwHNSYBlEsEFFaxD-_alZNFpO2cWW0BIMyCEicgzbLoUGpm27UUOprpq0tS-C6_2gd27JgRZCfKOeo1XXmDlvsK5lWT__AiYr_5jrW0-YMTgZQgQj0/s1600/AGRfoto_3_8260.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510137318079448738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEzG0N44mJbhiVqQGdUuksky4XSwHNSYBlEsEFFaxD-_alZNFpO2cWW0BIMyCEicgzbLoUGpm27UUOprpq0tS-C6_2gd27JgRZCfKOeo1XXmDlvsK5lWT__AiYr_5jrW0-YMTgZQgQj0/s400/AGRfoto_3_8260.jpg" /></a><br />
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Which reminds me, time to go scrumping, before they're all gone.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-33848922260213843472010-08-23T15:52:00.003+01:002018-04-01T00:04:02.757+01:00Update to: Italian state finance department doesn't pay it's billsThis is an update to a <a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.com/2009/10/italian-state-finance-department-doesnt.html">previous post</a>.<br />
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So it seems by visiting ones regional parliamentarian at his daily surgery, things may get done. It means getting copies of all the necessary paperwork and records of communication with the tax department, standing in the first-come-first-served line at 6am in the morning. You get about 5 minutes. I think my wife had made a good impression, he said he would speak to the relevant chief of department.<br />
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A few weeks later she received a notification that she will indeed receive her payments for work she had competed two years previous.<br />
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However, they didn't say when.<br />
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Within a couple of months the payment arrived however it had cost €250 for a solicitor's letter to do a bit of nudging. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-12039590721231482852009-10-19T15:31:00.013+01:002018-04-01T01:22:25.615+01:00Italian state finance department doesn't pay it's billsThis is an update to a <a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.com/2009/10/italian-state-finance-department-doesnt.html">previous post</a>.<br />
<br />
So it seems by visiting ones regional parliamentarian at his daily surgery, things may get done. It means getting copies of all the necessary paperwork and records of communication with the tax department, standing in the first-come-first-served line at 6am in the morning. You get about 5 minutes. I think my wife had made a good impression, he said he would speak to the relevant chief of department.<br />
<br />
A few weeks later she received a notification that she will indeed receive her payments for work she had completed two years previous.<br />
<br />
However, they didn't say when.<br />
<br />
Within a couple of months the payment arrived however it had cost €250 for a solicitor's letter to do a bit of nudging. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-23222431525855789352008-04-15T16:17:00.007+01:002018-03-31T23:59:46.479+01:00The Caste: How Italian Politicians Have Become Untouchable<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7341476.stm#Italy">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7341476.stm#Italy</a><br />
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This article on the BBC website is yet more evidence that the Italian government is having a laugh at it's own public's expense and of the other European countries who continue to pour their own taxpayers money into a purse to support their corruption. It tells us of a book now published (only in Italian at time of writing) with insight into the corruption, inefficiency and greed that the authors argue permeates every level of Italian government. It isn't as though it doesn't happen in all governments, however the Italians are better at it and proud of it too.<br />
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There probably isn't anything in the book that most of the italian public don't already know, most of it is common knowledge but still it goes on.<br />
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If you can get a copy, buy it, and give it to your MEP... no, tell them to buy it themselves on their hideously obscene expense accounts.<br />
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<b>La Casta: Così i Politici Italiani Sono Diventati Intoccabili</b><br />
By Sergio Rizzo and Gian Antonio Stella<br />
284 pages, Rome: Saggi Italiani, 2007 (in Italian)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-19081021091010711802008-04-07T12:07:00.006+01:002009-10-19T16:50:30.626+01:00When will they listen?BBC articles:<br /><br /><b>Italian politics hold back economy</b><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7328015.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7328015.stm</a><br /><br /><br /><b>Something rotten in state of Italy</b><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7206817.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7206817.stm</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-2113282169691694212008-02-05T12:50:00.003+01:002009-10-19T16:55:47.947+01:002040 will see more people in Italy over age 60 than in working population.Yet again a New Year surprise for the self-employed in Italy. The latest <a href="http://www.imsersomayores.csic.es/documentos/documentos/pensions-barometer-report.pdf" target="blank">'pensions barometer' survey by Aon</a> is published showing Italy to be bottom of 25 (of 27) European countries for 2007. <br /><br />Some relief was felt by many when Berlusconi left power in 2006, me included, but Prodi has done little in any of the reforms he promised. Since he gained power I have seen my pension contributions rise from 19.5% of income to 23.5% in 2007 and 27% in 2008, and yet according to this new report the country dropped 7 places to the bottom.<br /><br />Of every €100, €27 goes towards pension contributions, €27% in income tax, €4.25 in regional tax, leaving €41.75.<br /><br />At present if one was to earn €30,000 per year for 20 years, contributing €8,100 per year, on retirement the state would provide €1200 per month (in todays money). So maybe the state is hoping on greater birth and death rates, should one die before the 10th year of receiving a pension then they have more money to feed the huge politicians pensions whom are eligible after only 8 years of work.<br /><br />Just over the border in Switzerland one pays 23% income tax (whatever your earnings) and 2% towards your pension. Maybe it's time to learn German.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-71837308905001507212007-01-11T13:10:00.003+01:002011-01-28T12:28:34.848+01:00Happy New Tax YearLast year I posted the article "<a href= "http://boileddown.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-is-cancelled.html">Christmas is cancelled</a>" which was a stab at trying to explain the tax stranglehold for a self-employed person living and working in Italy.<br /><br />I have just received notification that the tax has indeed been increased to squeeze even more:<br /><br />2006<br />upto 26.000 = 23%<br />from 26.001 to 33.500 = 33%<br />from 33.501 to 100.000 = 39%<br />from 100.001 = 43%<br /><br />2007<br />upto 15.000 = 23%<br />from 15.001 to 28.000 = 27%<br />from 28.00 to 55.000 = 38%<br />from 55.001 to 75.000 = 41%<br />from 75.001 = 43%<br /><br />So I guess there will be more pressure on many people to work cash-in-hand.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-88102379499316687242006-12-16T13:49:00.003+01:002011-01-28T12:35:23.121+01:00Foulmouth Car ParkRecently an elderly friend and her daughter visited the UK for a holiday, touring by hire car along the south coast. They are from the most northerly part of Italy where the first language is in fact German because the region was, until the end of WWI, the southern part of Austria.<br /><br />Anyway, they eventually reached Cornwall and the town of Falmouth. They found a spot to leave the car in a busy car park and as she was opening the passenger door another car arrived, in the space next to them, so she quickly closed the door again to avoid causing any damage to their hire car and therefore losing the £500 deposit. The next moment an even older man appeared at their windows, red-faced, angry, and spitting foul obscenities at them. They got out to see what the problem was only to discover that he was accusing them of putting a scratch down the side of his brand new car of 3 weeks. His anger may have been understandable if the damage had in fact happened right there and then, however there was no contact at all between the two cars. The man's wife stood shrugging shoulders but called the police following the irate instructions from her husband who had now realised he was facing German tourists who were obviously ignorant, arrogant and in stubborn denial of damaging his car.<br /><br />When the police arrived, they greeted the man as if they new him, and started taking notes of this dasterdly deed done by the foreigners. He went on to say that he had spent all his life savings on the car and that these Germans had driven into him. They didn't bother to ask the visitors of their account of what had or hadn't happened, so instead the daughter tried to offer it to them only to be told that the officers knew him to be an expert in this matter and trusted his word. Now, would it be cynical of anyone to think that this seemed like a stitch-up?<br /><br />The daughter, who understood English very well, realised that she had to do something and asked the policemen to actually inspect the damage to the mans car, but they repeated that he's an expert in this matter and they believed him. So she gently squeezed one of the policeman's arm and politely guided him to the damaged area of the car and with a wet finger wiped away the dirt... "there", she said, "the damage has now gone, it was only dirt!"<br /><br />Outrageously, there were no apologies from either the elderly man or the policemen. Who was this man? What kind of 'expert' was he? Did he own a car-body repair business? Was he a well known driver? An important politician? Rich? Or was he just a silly old man who has lost his marbles? Why didn't the Police look at the damage first (why were there two of them anyway)? And finally, how can someone who has made that mistake and screamed blue-murder at a total stranger not even accept his own mistake and apologise. The car should be taken away from him since he is in no fit mental state to be in possession of a driving license. Fancy that, spending your life savings on a car.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-67063140633374522162006-12-12T13:42:00.001+01:002009-10-19T17:03:05.384+01:00Better Wait for a Better BetaUpdate: 29.12.2006<br />Blogger is no longer a Beta however I still have the same bugs as mentioned in the original text below. Apparentely there are known issues with Safari which they say are working on... we'll see how long it takes....<br /><br />This new all singing all dancing Blogger, seems to be an improvement... however, it is only a Beta version and I'm surprised that it is not possible to sign up with the previous version. I say this because here I am trying to create content on my new page and none of the "configure" pop up windows (that I have so far tried) do what it says on the can.<br /><br />For example the form to upload an image (of only 20k) just hangs forever, so as an alternative I tried putting the URL of an existing image on the web and "save changes" only to get an error message telling me to "Please specify an image" Huh? Isn't that what i just did.<br /><br />I'll pop back sometime in the not too distant future to see when the Beta has become better. This was first published a month(ish) ago, no change yet.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8816955028296558081.post-7861352420886829582006-12-12T13:12:00.007+01:002011-01-28T12:46:16.446+01:00Christmas is CancelledYes, this Christmas is cancelled. It sounds like the title of a new book, and maybe it will be, with a subtitle of 'So you want to live in Italy'. This is due to the combined efforts of my Italian accountant and the Italian fiscal system. They have done very well and, no doubt, will be celebrating yet another joyous occasion, laughing and stuffing themselves on the ever-so-easy-to-come-by proceeds of us plebs.<br /><br />In 2006 the tax rate for an individual is between 23%-43%. In addition to this direct taxation (IRPEF), there is also local tax (IRAP) which self employed individuals are taxed at between 3.25% - 5.25%. <br /><br />PAYMENTS<br />The tax year in Italy ends on December 31st. Advance payments of tax are made on the following basis.:<br />A Self-Employed Individual is obliged to pay 100% of the tax forecast for a year, or an amount that is the equivalent of 98% of the tax paid in the previous year, whichever is the lower, the pre-payment is made in two installments - 40% by June 20th and 60% by November 30th, thereby squashing any festive spending. The date for filing an annual return is July 31 (post my birthday).<br />Fines are imposed for arrears in filing an annual return at the rate of 120% - 240% of the tax, depending on the length of time that the return is in arrears.... plus interest. It is more than likely to be the higher rate since they will not send you the notification or indeed the fine until at least 4 years later, earning themselves another hefty wedge in interest on outstanding payments. <br /><br />DEDUCTION AT SOURCE<br />For a self-employed person the rate of payment is 20%, this is paid (in theory) by the client directly to the taxman. If they don't pay this then the fine plus interest comes to you, not the client. So you have to call and check with every client to make sure they do this. Apparentely 30% of a self-employed person's work time is used up creating paperwork or chasing it, or explaining it to someone else to do it and the chasing for you.<br /><br />TAX EXEMPT INCOME<br />Ha ha ha ha<br /><br />EXTREMELY RARE BENEFITS<br />At least, in this autonomous region, new businesses can benefit by receiving up to 30% of any capital investment. Applications can be made through an accountant as long as the total amount of expenditure exceeds 10,000 Euro. The applicant is then informed that he needs to wait a number of years to see if there is any money left over to fulfill their promises and for any funds to be given to you. Meanwhile the applicant pays hefty fees to the accountant (he won't wait that long) for organising it for you, it is best if one sits down before reading his invoice. It has to be said that IF any of the money does indeed get refunded, it will probably cover the accountant bills... and is probably liable to further taxation as an income.<br /><br />INPS - (National Insurance contributions)<br />Self-employed have to pay 18% (<a href="http://boileddown.blogspot.com/2008/02/2040-will-see-more-people-in-italy-over.html" target="_blank">27% in 2008</a>) of their earnings to INPS as pension contributions. 4% can be "clawed-back" from their customers by adding it to the subtotal of the invoice (Note; this is then totaled BEFORE the VAT is calculated, therefore they also make VAT on your pension contributions!). Self-employed pay the highest % of INPS but are NOT entitled to sick and unemployment benefits.<br /><br />LA COMMERCIALISTA (The accountant)<br />It is not possible to NOT have one of these. They know it... they have an organised monopoly, and the latest trade mans' list of highest earners in this region are indeed solicitors, accountants and pharmacists. It's easy to see how these are connected... the first two know everything they need to know to avoid taxes and raise their fees and the third is where everyone else goes after paying their tax bills and accountants fees. <br /><br />TOTALING UP AN HONEST PERSON'S ANNUAL EARNINGS<br />If one was to earn 30,000 Euro less expend. of say 12.000:<br />Income tax = 6,000<br />IRAP = 1,200<br />INPS = 5,400<br />Advanced payment for following year (tax and INPS) = 11,100<br />Balance = -5,700<br /><br />So for a honest person to live, pay the rent and bills, put food on the table, etc., they would have to make another 15-20,000 undeclared... become a criminal so he can pay the criminals.... or of course don't work for yourself and get a job for life with the government. Either way you are no longer honest.<br /><br />Romano Prodi's government won elections in April by promising to improve Italy's finances... so they've increased taxes even more as a way to reduce the country's deficit whilst not doing anything about state spending. The extra revenue will go towards paying for more police, possibly to track down more tax dodgers. Italy currently has the highest debt levels in the European Union, and is third in the world behind Japan and the US. It's politicians and EU politicians are the highest paid in Europe. It's taxes are just about the highest in Europe... here's where they spend it ... <br /><div style="background:#000000;width:440px;height:272px"><embed flashVars="playerVars=showStats=no|autoPlay=no|videoTitle=Lamborghini Police Car Speeding" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/1700166/lamborghini_police_car_speeding.swf" width="440" height="272" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" name="Metacafe_1700166" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></div><div style="font-size:10px;">Lamborghini Police Car Speeding</div><br /><br />They voted unanimously to give themselves a raise of 1,350 Euro a month. This was disguised in a way that it would not be recorded in official reports. This was added to their salary of 19,150 a month to which they add their base salary(?) of 9,980 a month, plus an allowance for their family of 4,000 and reimbursement of rent of upto 2,900 a month, plus something called 'indennita' di carta (whatever that is) of 335 to 6,455 Euro.<br /><br />Earning so much money must be hard work because after 35 months in parliament they can retire with a pension paid for by the 35+ years of contributions from the rest of the population. Even if they take a pension of 25% of their earnings, whilst in parliament, it amounts to over 7,500 Euro per month, and if they retire at 40 then they will have had over 2.2million Euro by the time someone else of the same age makes retirement at the age of sixtyfive. Pension funds abuse perhaps?<br /><br />What DO they spend their hard earned cash on? They ate and drank for free to a tune of 1,472,000 Euro (1999), and received 103,000 in reimbursed electoral expenses. They also receive free of charge: mobile phones, cinema tickets, theatre tickets, bus travel, postage stamps, national air flights, autostrada pass, swimming pools and gyms, train pass, clinics, accident insurance, life assurance, car with driver. <br /><br />So if you were expecting a christmas card this year, please send your requests to:<br /><br />Romano Prodi and cronies<br />The Legalised Mafia<br />Tax Office of the Presumed Guilty until proven Guilty of not paying our wages<br />Rome<br />Italy<br /><br />Cost of living is low in Italy only if you are a visitor, but once you live here it's one of the highest costs of living in Europe. Maybe this is why the government is introducing a new tax of up to 5 Euros for each tourist to enter certain towns, they expect to earn 30 billion Euros from tourists this year alone... but don't let that put you off coming to see us.<br /><br />Merry Cancellation and a Happy Tax-free New Year!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>©AGR All rights reserved 2006-2009. More at www.agrfoto.com</p></div>Alex Rowbothamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08017355457095527809noreply@blogger.com0