We packed up and left in plenty of time to catch the 7.30 am vaporetta to the airport for a 11.30 flight to London, thinking it may take up to an hour to get there but it was only a 20 min ride. It was too early to check in. The flight seemed so quick we had a great view after take off of the islands where we had been the day before, it gave us a great overall view. Picked up the hire car at the airport, it was all very easy and headed off towards Brockenhurst, i...

Monday 3rd June Caught the high speed train to Venice at 10.30 & spent the next 25 minutes in tunnels with short gaps across valleys. They really travel at high speed all right but it is a shame that nothing can be seen en route. By the time we got to Bologna it was raining again so we were very lucky with the weather yesterday. Arrived in Venice just before 1.00 & walked directly to the convent where we are staying in pleasant sunny weather, what a reli...

Saturday 1st June Another wet day in Perugia with the surrounding valleys obscured by cloud & rain, such a shame for the tourist trade. After a great breakfast Jane packed us up & we went for our final guided walk but had to abandon it for lack of time. Returning to the hotel we met Victor, our new friend from yesterday who had just left us a note at the hotel. He was inviting us to dine with him tonight but unfortunately we will be in Florence. It was g...

Wednesday 29th May We left the unit at 7.45 & caught the bus & 2 trains to Tiburtina the main bus station for Rome in plenty of time for the bus to Perugia. The run was through beautiful country with little hill towns on either side of a large valley before we climbed across a range to another one. The land seems so fertile & all along near each town were various new industrial sites & warehouses which was a contrast to what we had seen further s...

Wednesday 22nd May Another grey day today. It was the day we had been working up to, a visit to the Vatican Museum. This should only be undertaken if (a) You have a strong constitution & (b) you can cope with crowds pushing & shoving. d*** finds both a bit too much. We arrived at the Vatican at about 10.45 & after fending off the tour guide touts, of which there appeared to be an endless supply, we found an Information Office where we were told w...