Geo: 41.3879, 2.16992We arrived in Barcelona at midday on April 22nd. We were to have one and a half days here, far too short to really explore the city.On the first day we went in on the shuttle bus about 1-30pm having waited in line for about 45 minutes. We were dropped near the seafront next to the huge column in honour of Christopher Columbus. His statue is at the top but his pointed finger is in the direction of Italy, not America! We then walked up Las Ramblas. This is the main walking street of the town. It is wide and lined with stalls of all sorts. At the start there were a number of "living statues". These seem very popular here.We went to the old town, the Barri Gothica and enjoyed the narrow winding ... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968Thursday we left Castiglione behind after a pleasant sojourn. We first headed to Montepulciano,a lovely hilltop walled city I had visited in 2004 and wanted to show Fletcher. It was only about 15kms to drive and we arrived there about 9-30. The narrow streets wind around and up to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill. This was a test for both of us but we enjoyed the initial stages looking at the small shops filled with Tuscan souvenirs and the wonderful produce from this area including the very good wine. The final climb, though, puffed us both but Fletcher's knees held out .The Piazza is large and flanked by impressive buildings, The Town Hall, a Museum and, of course, a beautiful church. There is also a decorative well in one section. ... read more

Geo: 43.1281, 12.0463After an unremarkable and uneventful flight we arrived at Fiumincino airport on a foggy morning.Quickly through Customs etc we collected our car, a tiny Fiat 500 which meant most luggage is on the back seat. We followed some back roads, me with the map on my lap and Fletcher as usual making all sorts of noises and comments as he got used to the car and my navigation was not always perfect! (If only it was as easy as for Dora and her map!!)We headed north along the coast to avoid Rome and drove through Civitavecchia to which we will return on Thursday. Our aim was to find a base in Tuscany for a couple of nights to explore the surrounding countryside and ultimately to visit San Marino (to rack up a another country). ... read more

Geo: -7.6, 110.217Today we went back into Indonesian history to visit the World Heritage listed site of Borobudur. This is rated second only to Angkor Wat in terms of ancient Hindu temples. It was built in the 10th century and was rediscovered by Sir Thomas Raffles, covered with undergrowth, in 1812. What a find that would be! It was a one and a half hour drive from Jogja along always busy, but narrow roads.Ferdi picked us up at 8am and we first went to see the Sultan's Palace, but being told that didn't open until 9am we decided to head straight to Borobudur. After the long drive it was a relief to get out of the car into the very warm sunshine. This was the best day for weather since I have been here, with blue ... read more

Geo: -6.18, 106.83Today there was nothing planned for me. It was Fletcher's last day of lecturing so I decided to set off on safari! Let me explain.From the window of my room on the 14th floor I have looked out each day over the busy road and the adjoining park. On the second morning I noticed amongst the trees the head of a giraffe. I wondered what he was doing there as there seemed to be nothing and noone around him.I felt rather sorry for him away from home and he just looked lonely. Today I decided to pay him a visit. I headed out about 10am, crossed the busy road and set out along the wide road that cuts through the park looking for an opening in the fences that surround the park. I came ... read more