Hi Everyone!
Had a wonderful flight over. Flat bed really helps! Arrived in Milan early and beat Pip to the station. She looks great and was wearing her new boots – very modern very European. We had coffee and talked non stop until our train left for Turin. What a lovely city and it was bustling. Sunday afternoon in the middle of a week of festivities. There were book stalls lining the porticos, a chocolate festival in the little wooden huts they use for the Christmas markets. All were decorated with CHOCOLATES. A big temptation!. We walked and walked and had gelato and a lovely dinner  in a piazza with music and chatting and a glass of Proseco.
MONDAY: we walked  and saw LOTS of churches including San Lorenzo where the copy of the shroud of Turing is housed. The nonnas we all  a twitter about the shroud then we were almost extras on a movie set in a park. After lunch – ensalada tonna we got the train down to Genova then along the coast past the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre until La Spezia. Roberta met us. She looks fantastic. Lovely little pregnant tummy and glowing.
We came to her home in Cerri settled in and then drank more Proseco bubbles. Had dinner on the terrace and looked towards the coast.
HIGHLIGHT: Seeing Roberta and dinner on the terrace
Today – TUESDAY: we had a slow start, breakfast on the terrace then headed off to explore. Ended up in Lerici a small village by the water. Its only 5 mins down the hill and is gorgeous. It was the most beautiful day. We enjoyed  a seafood lunch walked around the bay, had gelato of course, walked some more and now we are home to cook fish for dinner.
HIGHLIGHT: Walking around the water past the beaches of Lerici eating gelato!
More tomorrow and maybe the first photos

Today I had my last day at school until the end of October. It was a busy but great day celebrated with a beautiful cake made by Jeanette. I visited Jill’s Library – it’s beautiful. Now the serious pack comes. What to take what to leave! They say pack half the clothes and twice the money.

For those who are interested – this is my itinerary.
18th Sept – Fly to Hong Kong : fly to Milan
19th Sept – Meet lovely Pip . Train to Turin. Stay the night
20th Sept – Train to La Spezia where gorgeous niece will meet us.
21st – 30th – Fun times in Cerri. Google earth us and you’ll see the little village in from Lerici and La Spezia.
1st Oct  – Fly with Pip to Moscow via Vienna.  Met at the station and driven to the hotel.Meet  Steve!
2nd Oct – Moscow
4th Oct – Overnight train to St Petersburg
5th Oct – St Petersburg. Meet up with Phoebe arriving from London.
9th Oct – Girls leave us and Steve and I bus off to Tallin in Estonia
12th Oct – Bus to Riga in Latvia. about 4 hours
14th Oct- Bus to Villnius in Lithuania
16th Oct- Fly to Stockholm
19th Oct– Overnight ferry to Helsinki
22nd Oct– Fly from Helsinki Home!

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Then I can tempt you with all my Italian stories and maybe even a little bit of Bella Lingua! I’ll tell you tutto.

Not long now. I heard from Roberta last night. She is getting ready  for us and has planned some Italian lessons for me. I’ll have to start practising!