It has taken me five days to even attempt writing this entry, there are some moments in life even i find hard to find the funny side but when everyone is safe it isn't impossible. So here was the plan: my parents were driving down for a weeks holiday in Italy, i had just left my job so i was going to join them, they would drop me off in rome when they left, i'd then volunteer at a cat shelter for two weeks until my flight back home in florence. Here's what actual...

There comes a time when the 'smile and nod' goes horribly wrong. A lovely day of walking, my feet, crippled from my shoes, resting and sat having dinner with nonna and bisnonna, nonna starts saying something i loosely translated into "sport at 8" so i smile and nod and go back to eating. Nonna excessively hand gestures that she is putting bisnonna to sleep and i smile nod. Nonna comes back with some leggings and a green t-shirt, shakes them at me, rips the tags o...

I have had my first experience with a surprise breastfeeding in the playground. Stood there for a good 10 minutes before i realised her boob was out and the moment i did, couldn't stop looking. Also saw a poo fly out of a boys bum in the garden ( and i mean FLY)... There are some things even acid can't erase. Sang for the family. I don't think 'Damien' liked it, i don't see why not, I'm sure I was in tune but then again i couldn't really tell over the screaming,...

Now as my employers previously stated I would be living with the boys grandmother and great grandmother. What they failed to mention was that both women couldn't speak or understand any English...none...zilch...zero. So being left for four hours in a basement kitchen with these two very lovely (I think) ladies was somewhat uncomfortable with my Italian knowledge being 'si', 'ciao', 'grazie', 'neno possible per me' and 'Il treno e in ritardo', that last one from ...

And so it begins... To a very rocky start (read on to find the pun). 'Twas quite the windy evening as I walked up the ramp of the Isle of Wight ferry, so much so that the ticket lady held my hand for fear I'd be blown over, due to my oversized backpack (damn those extra shoes). After 2 coaches, an attempt to sleep on an airport floor, the worst sandwich I've ever eaten ( I mean really people? Avocado and olive? Who honestly thought that would work?)and a 2 hour f...