This flower is called a FORGET ME NOT in English and so sums up perfectly my passion for helping people with Dementia.
The Alzheimer's society uses the" Forget Me Not" flower as their logo, as it portrays so succinctly the concept of not forgetting who someone suffering from dementia.
I trained as nurse back in the days of Florence Nightingale
Only joking, not quite!!
Although in the 1970s nursing was very different to the way it is now. Thank goodness things have moved on.
The treatment and management of Dementia in America, Australia, the UK and many other countries has changed significantly over the last 40 years.
Here in Italy, I am not in a position to judge yet because my experience here with people suffering from Dementia is limited.
I have many years of experience both in caring for my Mother who suffered from Frontal Lobe Dementia,(A type which causes erratic, and often violent behavioural issues) as well as working as a Nurse, Nursing Home Manager and Educator for many years that the management of this group of diseases is a huge CHALLENGE.
Here in Italy DEMENTIA tends to be lumped together under the umbrella of ALZHEIMERS,
When in fact there are a number of very different conditions, all of which need specialised care and management.
This blog is not about the clinical management of Dementia but for those who are interested, you can find more information on my FORGET ME NOT facebook page and website (to be launched).
Linking Dementia, History and Memories
Discover the Tratturi with me, learn more about the memories and share the histories of the people who trod the grassy tracks.
Talking and sharing memories with people losing theirs........
THE TRATTURI and THE TRANSUMANZA
The TRATTURI, tracks used by shepherds and drovers were developed by the SAMNITES ( The original inhabitants of Southern Italy) from along ago as the 6th century BC.
The ROMANS extended them to connect their towns, and improve communication.
There are green trails that can still be followed which snake their way across the Southern Italy. These were further developed by ARAGONESE MONARCHS in the 15th Century.
The TRATTURI have smaller tracks running off from them called TRATTURELLI, and BRACCI, covering 70 different communes in Molise in Campobasso, Bojano and Isernia.
THE TRANSUMANZA was the movement of sheep, and cattle along the TRATTURI. 
In times past during the shepherds and drovers stopped along the route to eat, sleep and sell their produce, allowing their animals to graze en route.
Local farmers shared music and tales with the travelling drovers and shepherds. Instruments like the ZAMPOGNA, a type of bagpipes were played and meals shared.
These are the most important tratturi.
Celano to Foggia.
Castel di Sangro in Lucera
Pescasseroli to Candela
Tratturo di Re - L'Aquila to Foggia
Join me to walk them, and explore even not in person just in spirit.
The Tratturi stretch for many miles, passing villages and towns along the way.
First I am off to explore the CELANO to FOGGIA TRATTURO.
It runs right pass my house in Lucito, onwards and upwards to CELANO and downwards to FOGGIA ...
Setting off from the CITY of CELANO and passing villages and towns along the way.
CELANO
AIELLA
COLLAMELLE
CASTELVECCHIO SUBEQUO
CASTEL DI IERI
GORIANO SICOLLI
RAIANO
PREZZA
PRATOLA PELIGNA
SULMONA
PETTORANO SUL GIZIO
ROCCA PIA
RIVISONDOLI
CASTEL DI SANGRO
SAN PIETRO AVELLANA
VASTOGIRADI
CAROVILLI
PESCOLANCIANO
AGNONE
PIETRABBONDDANTE
CIVITANOVA DEL SANNIO
BAGNOLI DE TRIGNO
SALCITO
TRIVENTO
LUCITO
CASTELBOTTACCIO
MORRONE DEL SANNIO
RIPABOTTONI
SAN ELENA A PIANISI
BONEFRO
SAN GUILIANO DI PUGLIA
CASTEL NUOVO MONTEROTARO
CASAL VECCHIA DI PUGLIA
CASTEL NUOVO DELLA DAUNIN
TORREMAGGIORE
LUCEERA.
FOGGIA
There will be so much to see, and so much to explore stepping in the footsteps of many who have gone before.
I am starting my travels along the route over the next few months to find places to stay and to eat, each city, town and village.
Follow me on this journey, and lets discover the tratturi together.
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