Hi kids, don't expect anything 'cooler' in Vernazza...other than me of course! I assume you have luggage, so will bring the pick up into the village...it's difficult to park the monster though, Vernazza's not made fror gas guzzling nip trucks.....so if I am not at the station....down the steps, turn right and head uphill under the rail track bridge..........and keep going till you get to the first barrier by the scicilian coffee shop 'il Pirata'....will be waiting for you there...you can't get lost. Well..........on second thoughts..the little square is called the 'fontana vecchia'....

Hi Caroline & Jason, You really are getting about. Glad you like Rome. It maybe a bit cooler with Linda by the sea.

Dad & I are going to my cousin Jason's wedding the bank holiday weekend Saturday 26 August. Edward does not want to go, would you both like to go, l know its the w/end before you go away, just let me know then I can tell my Cousin. Grandma & Grandad will be there.

Caroline did you buy that leather bag you told me about!

Edward is off to Newquay tomorrow at 5.30am for the week. I dont think he has ever been up that early, unless he has been awake from the night before.

Happy travels. Love Mum xx

Hi Guys. Amazing to be in Rome isn't it? A very "walkable" city if it wasn't so damn hot. I wouldn't guess that you would have time but there are some lakes to the North within an easy bus ride from the City centre (one of them has the Italian Air Force Museum collection by the side of the lake but I don't think that would fire your Rockets!).

Not doing anything much at all today - a bit of work that I brought home but then the Garden calls, a chair, a beer, no shirt and a doze, methinks.

Are you catching a direct train from Rome to Lin's place? I have no idea how long that would take as I haven't done any train travel in Italy except short hops.

Are you still enjoying the train as a means of transport or do you never wish to see one again? I was talking to a couple of people the other night and realised that it was not long ago, before mass air travel, that Europe moved itself around by train or long distance coach - not many private cars, aerolanes were very expensive..........

I think I will try and persuade Pauline to do one of these trips, probably not quite so many stops and changes of location in 30 days, but I think I would love to be able to watch Europe go by in the sunshine out of the window, before I start to dribble and mumble too much.

Take care and keep up with the fotos and the news.

Adam

Caroline I have had confirmation of your German accommodation. The letter must have got lost, I expect you will have an e mail on your lap top when you get back. you are in (***Dad has edited this out because it should not have been published in the first place***) You will be able to move in on 1st Sept.

Stefanie schill wants to be informed about your arrival. Shall we tell her your flight details etc. & tell her you will be arriving with Claire. Dad is working from home tomorrow so he will pick up your messages.

Glad you are in Rome, Dad told me, he told you today, where to visit. treat yourselves to a nice meal in Piatza Novona. Im sure thats not how you spell it, but you will know where I mean. Go to see the fountain at night, its really good.

I will have a look at your photos, have a great time

Love Mum x x

Hi.
Great updates to site and you are really moving around at speed. Try and get some more photos on if you can.

London was a really good meeting and we went to an Italian Restaurant in Holborn yesterday evening - Pinot Grigio and some lovely lamb steak. Lots of chums from way back, some I had not seen since 2002.

The hotel was a nice place but not air-conditioned and the room had been left all day with the windows shut and the sun beating in. Very, very unpleasant and I could not have slept for more than one hour at a time last night.

Back at Winterbourne now and there is a do to say goodbye to some one who is leaving. Great curry and a few wets now before bed.

Take care and have fab time in Rome (Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navonna if you have time.) at the beginning Cinque Terre seemed ages a way but it has now come around really quickly. Say "hi" to Lin for me and you will have a brill time there with her I am sure.

Love Dad

Hi guys, not surprised...Florence was the hottest city in Italy yesterday! La bella Roma will be more of the same I'm afraid, same ole' same ole'....see you Saturday, if you don't make it before. Lin xxx

Brilliant photographs, especially Venice. I am amazed that you can find Internet places where they will let you log on and do all this stuff! Have fun in Fl;orence and mind the pigeons! Dad

Brilliant. Glad you made it to Italy, now the culture starts!

hi jj, sent you email about mauritius, let me no so can arrange. no real news fromhere, kate foned during week, permanently about 97 where she is, (americans still use farenheit), but enjoying. long days, start at 6am, dont finish until kids have gone to bed about 11,but says worthwhile, as these kids get very little.enjoy, see you soon.

A three-year-old boy was examining his testicles while taking a bath.

"Mum", he asked, "are these my brains?"

"Not yet," she replied

Hahaaaaaaaaahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa........yes, Adam, I will be a very sober guide as your bottle of Bundy has long been forgotten about, although the hangover was memorable!

Hi, I phoned Dr. Basker Tues or Wed. He will e mail Mannheim for
you. He said not to worry. He has my work & home phone no. if he needs to get in touch with me again. He said for you to have a great holiday. Hope the pin no. was the one you wanted. Edward sent you a text with the number. Hope you have not run out of money yet!. Its very hot here, Surrey had the highest temprature yesterday, so Granma will not be happy. Really enjoyed the photographs .

Love Mum xx