So then to Rome. On trying to find our accommodation on the outskirts, one wrong turn took us into an area that was as third world as we've come across on this trip. In fact I'll give it 4th world status. Gypsies living in squallor. Good ol Mr Prodi (I think he is still PM, but given the volatile nature of Italian politics, who knows) has provided this community with a few port-a-loos for all their ablutionary needs. How about providing a bit of dignity for your citizens at the bottom end of the socio economic scale. (how do you increase the font size gradually to indicate increasing emotion?) Hard to place all the blame on Prodi after he inherited a brace of years of Berlusconism. Berlusconi, now there's a guy not too short of a ... read more

When entering a new country by road, we look for those indicators that initially express that country's individuality. Most obvious was the congested traffic as we zipped from France and then ground to a crawl into Italy. 6 hours for the 200klms from Nice to Genova The traffic also comprises a much higher proportion of motor cycles whose riders exercise an apparent carte blanche with the road rules. There are plenty of pseudo Valentino Rossi amongst them and with the minimum riding age appearing to be around 12, the male Italian motor cyclist has an average life expectancy of 13. The Italians are also an extremely patriotic bunch. From seemingly every second window the national flag hangs proudly from a line, assuming of course the italian national flag is a pair of trousers, pegged to a ... read more

Ground hog day in Barcelona, pouring rain, so we said, ENOUGH! we're heading back to France. Lunch stop just across the border in Perpignan, home to the mighty Catalan Dragons, France's token Rugby League side in the British Super League (and not a single frog in the ranks). However, with a name like the Dragons how could you not like them. They actually even win a few games unlike their Oz namesakes. If you are an Aussie or Kiwi league player in the twighlight of your career, a couple of superannuation years in this lovely town would be heaven. From Perpignan we headed towards Avignon. Whilst driving along I was transposing the word Avignon into that old Bryan Ferry song Avalon, and 2 minutes later, scouts honour, on French radio, (cue the Twighlight Zone theme), out ... read more

BILBAO So we leave France and scoot towards Spain. After 2 says of reasonable weather, Europe turns on us again. Under grey, gloomy skies we near the border. With no actual signs welcoming us to Spain, we look for telltale indications. Obviously the language on signs change from a mixture of Basque and French to a mixture of Basque and Spanish. More overtly is the appearance of seemingly endless dull rectangular apartment blocks with the washing hanging from the balconies, as well as interminable ugly industry in full view. a kind of Port Kembla meets Brooklyn. There is also the sudden emergence of tasteless graffitti as France disappears in the rear vision mirror. Lonely Planet describes Bilbao as a spirited city surrounded by hills in the midst of beautiful Basque countryside. We will have to take ... read more

We collected the car and somehow navigated to Nancy with a few tolls on the way. Not too stressed by the drive or by my directions and navigations. We head for the main plaza and find street parking, my reverse parking - on the opposide side of the road is not great. The actual plaza of Nancy was spectacular at night to say the least. The French really know how to show something off. By Day 2 we are already looking a little frazzled trying to find our way around the centre of the city, while looking for parking etc. Hence, the investement in TomTom our GPS system. To make Gary feel right at home, I have chosen Jane the voice, so Gary still has a woman piping commands at him. Jane has now directed us ... read more