Tuesday 21st June 2011 North today to Rome stopping on the way to pay our respects to the World War II fallen at Monte Cassino. Our stop is at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery on the western outskirts of Cassino and is the final resting place of the British, New Zealand, Canadian, Indian, Gurkha and South African casualties. The Battle of Monte Cassino also known as the Battle for Rome was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans in early 1944 with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome. The capture of Monte Cassino came at a high price. The Allies suffered around 55,000 casualties in the Monte Cassino campaign. German casualty figures are estimated at around 20,000 killed and wounded. Hard to ... read more

Thursday 9ih June 2011 Drive from Matera to Vico Equense a small harbour / resort on the Amalfi peninsula. Dinner out and a first for the boys - chip pizza ! Its a lovely evening sat out on the decking with a terrific view across the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius. Friday 10th June 2011 Visit to the busy resort town of Sorrento by train - great ice cream. Saturday 11th June 2011 - Saturday 18th June 2011 Short drive to a new campsite on the edge of Sorrento. A suitable base for Max and the boys whilst I return to the UK for a few days in order to pay my respects and say farewell to a dear friend of more than 30 years. Life is sometimes just not fair. ... read more

Friday 3rd June 2011 Up and off today to our final Greek sightseeing destination that of the ancient site of Olympia where the original Olympic games were founded. The first stage looked easy on the map, about 80 miles of motorway, and started as expected following signs for the A8 to Patras. However either we missed the turning ? ( I don't think so ) or this mostly imaginary motorway is still under construction for some 70 miles. During this epic we endured endless roadworks with 'interesting' lane changes, thousands of cones and some absolutely spectacular Greek driving but thankfully no traffic jams. They even had the cheek to charge a toll for one section that was restricted to a single lane in each direction and in a poor state of repair ! Which just goes ... read more

Monday 30th May 2011 A short drive today from Tolo to Mikenes near ancient Mycenae calling on the way at the delightful seaside town of Nafplio. The town was the first capital of modern Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Due to its strategic position it has quite a chequered history changing hands between the Ottomans and Venetians time and again. Its harbour is guarded by three castles one on a small island ( Bourtzi ), another just above the old town ( Akronafplia ) and one capping a tall cliff above the town ( Palamidi Fortress ). The town itself has narrow atmospheric streets lined with elegant Venetian houses. We strolled along the harbour and then into the town. In Syntagma ( Constitution ) Square we found the Venetian ... read more

14th - 28th May 2011 Leaving today to drive south down the coast to a small village on the mainland near to the island of Poros called Metamorfosi. Here we rented a villa with friends and family for the next fortnight - well we do need a holiday from all this travelling ! After booking the villa we discovered it belonged to John Humphrys of BBC fame and he had written a book about the trials and tribulations of building it with his son Christopher who lives in Athens. After a stunning drive down the coast we arrived at Villa to be greeted by Chris who was cleaning the swimming pool. We duly settled in and made use of the pool and sun terrace. The villa is set in a superb location above a bay facing ... read more