Saturday in Lerici

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Last night we got lots of rain  – after going to Massa , where Roberta had a doctors app. She is now 28 weeks pregnant and looking radiant. We met her sister-in-law there as she is helping with Fabio away on the boat. We stopped in for a lovely meal on the way home and woke to blue skies again today. We went to the markets in Lerici and then took the boat across to Portovenere, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Had a great walk around there – spotting my highlight of the day (see below). Went also to the cemetery  overlooking the sea. What a place. Caught the bus to the next little town of La Grazie a quiet little bay with lots of boats. we had a quiet lunch , a delicious gelato – new flavours for me mela verde and melone! We’re going to Antonella’s for dinner with her husband and young son. They live in Carrara  so we’ll be seeing some marble.

HIGHLIGHT of the DAY: Seeing two weddings at Portovenere. One was very stylish with the guest dressed in gorgeous dress – navy being the latest fashion. Will post photos when I upload them.

Day 2 & 3

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Ciao,

Weather here is so beautiful and we are getting out along the beautiful coast. Lerici the closest little village by the sea is just gorgeous and we’ve been there for diner, gelato, a paddle, a little shop etc.

Yesterday Pip and I went on the train to Portofino. It is just lovely – you’ve probably seen it in movies as its the playground for the rich and famous. It was such a lovely visit and the highlight of the day was the blue water and the amerena gelato!

Last night we had some friends of Roberta’s for dinner. I had suggested I cook . It’s so hard in a little unknown kitchen! But I managed to turn out some little pastry squares with pesto, tomato and feta followed by chicken sort of morrocan style with cous cous.

Roberta made a delicious pav and we had a great night on the terrace. Her friend Massimo plays guitar so we sang along and tried to speak Italian – as they had limited English. Roberta is speaking so well now. With Fabio away she is really pushed into it.

Today another Italian lesson with Alaria in near by Sarzana an lovely town back from the coast.

HIGHLIGHT: Dinner on  the terrace with Italian friends

Settling into life in Cerri

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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

Last day at school

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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.

Where will I be and when!

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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!

Itay and Russia here I come!

/ brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

In 12 days I will leave on Cathay via Hong Kong enroute to Milan. Pip will meet me. Yah! Then it’s up to us to creat some fun. First stop Torino.
This is the girly part of the trip. I am busy thinking about it, planning and getting excited.
Unfortunately, time is being wasted at the Physio fixing my bad knee. It just must get fixed so I can walk the Cinque Terre.