Day 47 to 49 ROME a wonderful surprise! We had planned to meet my sister Viv in Rome, but boy did we have a surprise when she brought Megan with her! It was so lovely to see them both. They also brought us great gifts of DVDs and curry sauces!! They were only here for a fleeting visit of 2 nights and bravely agreed to camp with us in a site just outside Rome. We travelled into Rome by train and caught a bus tour, first stop Colosseum. Although busy it was a great site, as you can see by the pictures. (Is that the 3 vestal virgins on the pillars ?!!). Back on the bus we got sunburnt as we travelled around the Rome sites. Off at the Spanish steps and a walking tour to ... read more

Days 40 to 45 Sun, Sea ,Sand and Saturnia Decided we could take some time out and rest awhile at the sea. We chose a campsite at Castiglion della Pescaia on the west coast of Italy about 100k south of Pisa. We chose the site on the basis of the beautiful swimming pool, and we were not disappointed, it was great. There was also a picturesque beach about 200m walk from the camp, which had some free beach. We have found much of the Italian coast is inaccessible as it has been bought either by hotels or camp sites for their sole use, or a sort of lido ‘pay on enter’ system to access sun beds and beach. But we were ok here, spent our time between the beach and pool, really relaxing. Well....ok we did ... read more

After the 5th person we spoke to told us we must see Lucca, we decided to take the advice, a day trip from our current campsite in Troghi (south of Florence). We were really pleased we did, it was lovely. A uniquely walled town, different to the others we had seen because you can walk or cycle around the wall, to one side seeing the town, the other evidence of fortifications, mainly grassed over. We decided it was also a ‘people place’ as there were lots of green park areas, and the town is mainly pedestrianised. This made a pleasant change to dodging the mad Ferraris in the other cities and towns we had visited. There were also less people... not sure why. Of particular interest was a circular Piazza del’Anfiteatro, a complete circle of buildings. ... read more

Travelled back down into central Italy to Tuscany. Arrived at a very welcoming camp site just south of Florence, which was holding a rally for what seemed to be the smallest caravans ever! It was a good atmosphere despite the stormy weather. The following day.... my birthday we had some time to chill out by the pool, and sun ourselves. Also a catch up with Abi in Sydney by skype. Another incredible rain storm that evening meant we ate inside the restaurant instead of overlooking the Tuscan hillside, but hey the food was good! ... read more

Day 29 Trip to Verona Caught a train to Verona for the day, only a short hop, it was lovely to wander the old town, narrow streets and piazza. Visited the Arena, a Roman amphitheatre now used regularly for hosting big events (soon to be Deep Purple!!). Then I dragged Kim around to find the (supposed) houses of Juliet and her Romeo. Juliet’s was easy to find, a throng of tourists, paying to get photographed on her balcony (which we found out had been put there in 1928! Also stroking the right breast of a bronze statue of Juliet, which is supposed to find you a new lover....... needless to say neither of us touched it!! But we rather marvelled at the amount of unofficial lovers’ graffiti at the site. Romeo ’s house is now a ... read more