Spring in Italia

Well, it's only just over a fortnight before we fly out to Italy - have had a great time researching and planning our trip - a bit of an outline follows - have obviously "lifted" a few photos for description purposes - Ta to all those photographers.

Our flight arrives in Rome quite late, so will stay at a hotel at the Airport - same one as Ails and Rod did last year. The following morning we leave for Sorrento, just south of Naples, however, en route we will spend time in the lovely gardens at Palace of Caserta (they call it the Versailles of Italy) and fortunately for us its full restoration has just been completed.

Wonderful groups of statues and waterfalls to be seen

Then on to Herculaneum (Roman) which the volcano Mt. Vesuvius wiped out in 79 AD., same time as Pompei - map below shows an outline of Mt. Vesuvius's wrath.

We decided on visiting Herculaneum instead of Pompei, apparently the surviving buildings are different, but in better condition, the site is a lot smaller - and the "touristers" are not there en "mass".

Then we travel onto our first port of call for 3 nights - Sorrento

A great photo below of Mt.Vesuvius as a backdrop to part of Sorrento's harbour We shall shed off our jet lag whilst wandering around the stores

and historic sites

We are planning to spend one day on Ischia, an Island south of Napoli - it looks wonderful, we will reach it by Hydrofoil, then bus the southern half of it, checking out some great sites and views.

and have the name of a great simple restaurant at Ischia Porte to have lunch before taking a walk to, and up "Castello Arogonese" prior to our hydrofoil back to Sorrento.

Ischia has been the site of quite a few movies, the ones that I know of is Liz and Richard's CLEOPATRA in 1963, the Jack Lemon's AVANTI in 1972, and some parts of "A TALENTED MR RIPLEY" in 1999.

Then we travel the outrageously pictureseque but hair raising Amalfi Coast Road,

till we reach the town of Amalfi - and here we relax for 8 nights -well maybe!!

We are booked onto a 1 day Cooking class up in the mountains (Ravello)overlooking the coast.

Mama emailed us with guidelines - "please don't eat breakfast, or plan on dining in the evening", as Mama and Papa (he produces the vino) will make sure we will be well endowed with knowledge, food and wine - a 3 hour afternoon feast after our class on their balcony - venue below.

We hope to do a small boat trip up the coast and out to Capri (weather dependant) and also head down to Salerno and Paestum while we are in Amalfi, plus visit the other surrounding towns by the local bus of Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Atrani Minori and so on There will be religious Easter Pageants, which should be really interesting, then of course our 35th Anniversary is on Easter Sunday.

Back to Rome

I have booked a funny little B and B for 2 nights just near the Trevi Fountain, so we can walk to most of the sites rather than take metros. After these 2 nights we transfer to another hotel, organised by the Group Tour we are joining on 29th April. We do different things in Rome with them, Vatican, Colosseum, Forum - however, we will already have walked our feet off to many other sites, some at sunset- prior to joining the Tour. After Rome we head up to Tuscany for 2 nights.

We are staying in a lodge just outside of Monterrigione above

Whilst there - we do Florence and Siena, and in our free afternoon I am hoping to organise for us to spend the afternoon and early evening in San Gimignano - just checking out the transport situation - there is a local bus from Siena to S.G.

From Tuscany we head to the Cinque Terre for one night,

Then onto Baveno, Lake Maggiore for 2 nights

Here we have the whole day free, or of course go on one of the "optional" - yet to be paid tours. Have done a fair amount of research and this day we will again do our own thing - ferry across to Santa Caterina,

after a gondola up to their alpine gardens for a wander - should be stunning in spring then a ferry out to Isola Pescatore (Isle of Fisherman) for lunch at another recommended trattoria. Followed by another ferry to Isola Bella (below), and a delightful walk around the Palace and gardens, then a ferry back to Stresa for a wander, before, yes another ferry back to our hotel at Baveno.

The next day we head up to the Dolomites - again really looking forward to this area.

We spend 2 nights in Cortina d'Ampezza (below)

Another free day here, or of course the "optional tour", again have done some research through Sabena at the Cortina Tourist Information, and she has given me all kinds of ideas to follow - and sent me the following photo, saying that the crocus's could be in full bloom if we are lucky - and what other towns and, mountains we can visit or see that day.

Venice - 2 nights.

Next stop - Venice, via a long stop in Verona - yes Romeo and Juliet!. Once we get to Venice, we do the Gondola ride, St. Marks, glass blowing and some other organised things. The next day we have free again, with the "option" of another guided tour. Again we will do our own thing, and spend some time walking around the academic area of Venice, and then across to Burano Island - good walk and hopefully a great lunch at another recommended Trattoria.

The Optional Tours are not exactly inexpensive, plus you are with the same large crowd, and from my research it looks like doing our own thing will not only be more free and fun, but also less expensive 'specially as we can eat where we want. After the 2 nights in Venice, we are now back on our own.

Our first stop for 2 nights will be Lake Garda - Italy's largest lake. - we will stay in Sirmione below - have found a little hotel right inside these walls on the edge of the lake.

We then head down to Lucca for 2 nights - plenty to see in this area, Pisa, Vinci, the Tuscany Coast etc.

And of course Lucca, will enjoy a long walk around its "town walls" below.

Our last 3 nights are spent in Pienza - not far from the Umbrian border.

Again so much to see here - Assisi, Cortona, Montelpulciano, Orvieto and so on

Ails and Rod who stayed in Pienza last year, advised us to go to the following restaurant

apparently their "suckling pig" is outstanding.

*****

It will be our last italian feast before we get to Rome to catch our late flight back home to Brisbane - of course we have been on a rather "on and off" diet in preparation for this italian fare, the "on" needs to take priority for the next fortnight!!

******

I have put a pile of work into this trip - with the help of some "now" mates on Tripadvisor - they really are great "advisers". If it is as much fun and challenging - as the planning has been - then the Brig and I will be molta felice!!!

Grand-Godson - Sean Martin

Just received these photos of young Sean Martin, love this one of him all decked out in his bib and bow tie in New Hampshire- what a little gentleman he looks at 8 months old.

Saturday is for Pancakes

Have just plucked this very recent photo off Sarah's Kiwi blog - Ian is into cooking pancakes on their deck every Saturday morning - apparently the summer across the Tasman has been wonderful.

The Kiwi crew will be spending quite a bit of time in Bristol and the kids in Northern Island with their Irish grand folks and cousins this June and July (Northern Hemisphere summer).

A truly special farewell

On Thursday, the family and friends of my Aunt and Godmother, gathered at a delightful church at the entrance to the Isle of Capri, to farewell a very special character. She was full of wit, certainly had her own ideas, warmth and love - a very special Godmother to me - I was named after her. My cousin Ailsa and her 4 brothers created a wonderful farewell, which certainly had the understanding of the Minister. Ailsa spoke bravely about her Mum - as did Ails's youngest daughter, and her eldest - Jo (my God Daughter). It was sad, yet thoughtful, reflective and happy. The Wake was held where Auntie wanted, the Panorama Room overlooking a lovely small lake at the Gold Coast Arts Centre. So much family there, many of the cousins flew up from Sydney, including my brother, so a lot of catching up was done as well - it was delightful - with pink roses everywhere. Prior to this special occasion, I went through Mum's old photos, Mum was number 7 of the 11 Tarrant children, and Auntie Nalda followed as the 8th child. I found this one of my Godmother and her really special husband, and the baby with them - Auntie's god daughter - me!.

I love the one below - Ails, who is 10 months my junior at the back end of my dog, Skippy, - I chose the safer end!!! Watching this tug-o-war, was (l to r) cousins Wayne, Susan and Max.

Some years later, Susan takes a photo on her box brownie of Ails and I all decked out in our Bridget Bardot dresses, with those starched rope petticoats - off to a "6 O'Clock Rock" TV Show!

Since moving up here, we have been able to spend a lot of time with both Aunts, we've had some really great occasions and celebrations, and those birthday cakes for me!

*****

Auntie's 86th Birthday at Sanctuary Cove

So full of wit - a real petite character - she actually went on her first "camping" weekend when she was 86, to celebrate cousin in law Sue's 50th Birthday up in the Hinterland - and loved every moment of it.

******

After the Wake, we decided to spend some time overlooking the beach - always Auntie's choice - her apartment faces the beach, we decided on the Currumbin Surf Club, it is also close to the Gold Coast Airport for those flying home the same day.

The kids were still in school, so very quiet to start with.

*****

Above (l to r) Cousin Ross and his wife Yvonne, cousin Nalda (also named after her special aunt) and husband Ross.

*****

Susan and Frank join the other 4

*****

The green balloons were for St. Patricks Day

*****

Looks like school is out.

The Scotsmans Pack

This one is for Trev and Kev. Trevor your walks around the Peak District look wonderful. We actually stayed at the Scotsmans Pack (3 nights) at end of November, 2005. Great little Pub in every way - and oh, that breakfast!!.

We had a super dinner there one night with Kevin and Margaret, and Frank and Marg's brother - Peter and his wife - another Margaret.

The food was delicious, even though the dessert dishes looked a little "pie eyed" according to their brother, Pete?

In December, 2007, when back in England, we drove to Hathersage, taking in St Michael's Church on the hill in School Lane, and yes - had another great lunch with a glass of vino to wash it down, at the Scotsmans Pack.

To think the Pub is actually named after the "Packmen" who used to travel from home to home, village to village, offering goods and carrying news - and a lot of them did not have a tartan pleated kilt on - the scots can't take all the credit for the naming of this Pub.

*****

Charlotte Bronte also set her novel, Jane Eyre - in the village of Hathersage.

AND Trev and fellow walkers, you assigned this great Pub as your final stop on this week's walk - a great "spring" finale!.