Headed to the leaning tower of Pisa. I was quite interested by it because if was on way more of a lean than I thought it would be. Then continued on driving all the while seeing stunning sunflower fields. So colourful and cheerful.  It must be impossible to be sad around here! Got to Monterosso, the last town on the Cinque Terre where we are staying in a very central apartment. Very hot again. This place is so stunning but it is flooded with tourists. Waited until 6 pm for it to cool down then walked along the trail to Vernazza. It wad sooooo hot, I actually thought we might have a heart attack on our hands with the huffing and puffing going on. But we made it,  stunning views and all. Had a drink then trained back

We found out that the only part of the 4 part track is open at the moment is the one we did last night. So we decided to train to the three towns, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Cornigila on the hill, that we haven't seen. Riomaggiore was first. This one was really stuck on a cliff. Had an ice cream then walked to the train station. 

On the way we asked some Americans about the path. They said it had barriers but was sweet once you were past them. Mum really wanted to do it. So I said I would go with her. The first barrier was within 100 m. It was a 2.5 m gate with its bars all slanted making it hard to climb. An Australian couple were in the process of climbing it. She was scared of heights and taking ages. I said to Mum that if she could do it so can you. But you only have one go before we have to run back and catch the train so we don't lose the others. So mum stood on the seat,  then on my shoulder before pulling herself up the bank and over the fence and too the ladder. I was so proud of her! And man the crowd of 20 people were impressed too. Luckily we both had our togs under our dresses as we flashed everyone. The path had a lot of rumble and looked a little unsafe.  But it had awesome views.  At the other end there was a fence that was all plastic. Luckily one of the bits bent back and we could just crawl through.  It was a lot easier than the first bit. So happy we rebelled and I could see how stoked mum was too.

Visited Manarola,  then trained to out last town Cornigila. 183 steps later we made it to a resturant on the edge looking over the sea and had some wonderful seafood for lunch. Trained back and got straight into to the sea. Its so warm and salty. You hardly have to work to float. I hired a stand up paddle board. Mum. Lynne,  Liam and I all managed to stand up.  Not after the older ladies falling off many times much to the amusement of the crowded beach. At the end Lynne and Mum both sat on the front while I paddled the board. Of course Mum giggled too much  we promptly fell off.

Great seafood to be had all around these towns.

Last day with the family. Liam drove us to Milan. Here we visited the Milan Cathedral. Then we went to the first shopping mall in the world. We found the bulls balls and spun around in them for good luck. Then I was dropped off at the airport. Had a few quick tears as I farewelled them all for another couple of months. I flew to Barcelona to meet girls.