Wednesday 22nd April 2009 On the road again heading for Italy - all Motorway which runs tight to the coast. Road very busy with lorries, lots of hills, and very many tunnels. Quite stressful for the drivers. No customs to go through though we did spot the sniffer dogs checking out one or two cars. Arrived at Pietra Ligure (Pian Dei Boshi) at 1pm. very hot and clear blue skies temp 80F in the shade. Sorted caravans, then walked down into the town Paddled in the Mediterranean & Barney swam. No sand - very fine gravel. Into the centre of this [View Full Entry]

---

---

Sunday 26th April 2009 Raining when we set off to Firenze - Florence- Limited parking so we walked along the river till we reached the Ponte Vecchio bridge which dates from 1345 however new structures have been added. Each side of the bridges thoroughfare are Goldsmiths we didn’t stop !! We continued along the River Arno into the Square housing the Galleri Uffizi which houses many Italian and European art works including the Adoration of the Magi, works by Michelangelo and Canaletto. Unfortunately we did not view these masterpieces as the queue wa [View Full Entry]

---

---

Monday 27th April 2009 Pisa was the destination - you have to see it if you are in Italy - The Tower is part of the Cathedral Complex Via Contessa Matilde it was commenced in 1173 and completed in the 14th Century. We all took the obvious pictures of holding it up !! Us plus 100’s more! It has seven bells linked to the seven notes of the musical scale. We noted the anchors set up in the 90’s to prevent the Tower toppling further, cloudy but warm day. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Here are the photos for Grasse etc [View Full Entry]

---

---

Wednesday 15th April 2009 Departed Sully travelling 166 miles to Digoin Camping La Chevrette at 2pm. We made an error en route and had to turn in farm entrance but pleased to say soon found our way. Digion is a town on the Loire with a canal and aquaduct good site with Wi Fi The journey was interesting! We are now seeing many more vineyards, very blustery weather but warm. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Hi All Sorry about the last photos - travel blog crashed and lost all the snaps! We have been having trouble getting wifi up unitil now. I will attach Gills diary and put in some latest photos. Easter Monday 13th April 2009 We left Argentan and its superb Municipal Campsite thanking Serge and his wife for their hospitality and headed off to Sully Sur Loire where we would meet up with Dave & Lynne. Foggy morning headed off through Le Mans and Tours stopped for lunch and coffee, and on to Orleans, which was busy but greeted by raising temperatures [View Full Entry]

---

---

Monday 20th April 2009 Today we went to Monaco - Monte Carlo. We had 4 coffees in the Caféde Paris next door to the Casino, which cost us £20!!! But it was worth it, even the loo seats were washed automatically and the hand drier was excellent. We admired all the cars, Ferrari’s, Bentley’s, Astons and Rollers were 2 a penny!!! It was raining but we took a bus to the Oceanographic Museum hoping to use the town road-train trip. However, dogs were not allowed on, so Dave and Lynne went and we walked around the Princess Grace gardens. Very [View Full Entry]

---

---

Thursday 16th April 2009 Awoke and up early as we had a long tow to Avignon. Raining when we left Digoin beautiful countryside and some quite long inclines and descents on the journey, lots more Vineyards and the motorway uses the Rhone valley so constantly crossing and recrossing the river. - Outside Lyon large circus “CIRCUS PINDER” they get everywhere!! Arrived at Campsite Ile de Pape having lost Dave and Lynne in Roquemort - very narrow roads in village we decided to pull over and await them when Gendarme arrives and questions us try to explain that we are awaiting another [View Full Entry]

---

---

Sunday 12th April up early and away by 7.10am for the short drive to Poole, booked in @ 7,45 am and a first for me as I was body searched - shame it was a female security person!!!!!!!! They also checked out the caravan. Loaded onto a very empty Barfleur and cast off at exactly 9 am. Good to see Poole harbour from the seaward side and it was super to see the family including all the grandchildren on Shell Bay waving us off saw 3 dogs so presume the new edition Daisy was at home - thanks all of [View Full Entry]

---

---

Preparing for our trip around Europe by caravan [View Full Entry]

---

---