I have become a fan of everything Italian recently. It all started earlier in the year when I stayed at Jimboomba, Queensland (no, not Italy, sadly! Or Sicily, for that matter). In truth, I’m not the greatest fan of Jimboomba (although I like the name), which is rather out in the sticks and good for horse people, dog-lovers and those who are not afraid of snakes. However, I shall be eternally grateful for the spell I spent there because that is where I discovered the brilliant television programme, “Il Commissario Montalbano” (Montalbano, The Italian Detective), written by Andrea Camilleri and starring the gorgeous Luca Zingaretti (he with the lovely bow legs – don’t you just love bow legs?).

I was mesmerised and enchanted, not only by the acting, the plot and the players, but also by the scenery; it is set primarily in the Sicilian town of Porto Empedocle, known in the series as Vigata, but such is the popularity of the series and the pride of the inhabitants that the town has been renamed Porto Empedocle Vigata. I even liked the subtitles – that way you get hear the mellifluous Italian language – and you don’t miss a word, especially if you are a tad deaf (like Chris).

Whilst I was still in Australia Chris ordered the entire series of the long-running two-hour programmes and two weeks ago we watched the last episode, which ironically, was the first one I ever saw (back in Jimboomba) and I felt quite nostalgic for the bush. Chris and I felt bereft. What could possibly replace Montalbano? Luckily, a new series of “Young Montalbano” has been produced and was broadcast for the first time on British television on BBC4 last Saturday at 9.00pm. The transition from the not so young Montalbano, played by Luca Zingaretti, to the young Montalbano, rising star Michele Riondino, was made smoothly by a clever script and the inclusion of characters and names that we had come to associate with the original series.

Our neighbour, Ron, who is also a Montalbano fan (but missed it last week) is coming over tonight and we’re all going to watch it again on iplayer (there is something to be said for modern technology, even if I can’t turn on the television myself). In readiness for tonight, and in keeping with my love of all things Italian, I’ve been eating pasta all week – the same spaghetti I made for two actually served seven dinners in all. Which reminds me, Montalbano is a bit of a “foodie” too (if you haven’t seen him already).

Incidentally, when I went to Wikipedia to collect photos of Luca for you to see on my blog I discovered something amazing – who would believe it? Luca was born on my birthday – November 11 – in 1961! I like him even more now!