Very quick update from Italy

Hi there,

 

Please excuse the long delay in emailing and letting you know how things are.  We have been basically survival emailing - basically booking stuff as the cost has got so high at cafes or have not been able to easily USB to get to our notes and pictures to upload.

 

Rod and I are in San Gimignano, a beautiful mediveal fortress village.

 

After Spain we went across to Norway, to spend a lovely time with Karen and Tian, old friends of mine in the mountain.  We then went to Horton, to stay with Tian's lovely brother, Gunnar.  This was fortunate, as I had caught a virus and needed the time to rest and fight it off.

 

From there we went across to London.  It was fun being a tourist in a city I had lived in.  I couldn't believe how much I had missed.  We were able to catch up with old friends of mine and my niece, Sade.  Spending time with Sade was invaluable.  She of course, loved Rod.

 

We went down to Dover, where we visited the castle.  We loved the history of all the wars the castle had been involved in.  Rod has a fascination with castles.  We just enjoyed the time out in a lovely village.

 

Then off to Italy!  Boy is it expensive.  We visited Rome.  I had no idea of the history there and was surprised at the colleseaum.  It's just weird at the age of things.  The sistine chapel was just amazing.  We expected the building to be huge.  One's neck gets really tired.

 

We then spent a week in Florence.  This poor city just has too much art.  One just gets too used to seeing sculpures, frescoes, paintings.  The sculpture of David was a highlight.  It is massive and just beautiful.

 

I (Tracey) was of course wanting to do walks in Italy.  Just didn't realise how hot it gets in the country.  So we planned a walk in the Chianti wine country for one day.  Oh my goodness, vineyards are planted on hills here.  Poor Rod, I was almost crying from overheating and tiredness.  Rod just patiently encouraged me.

 

After about 18km we arrived in Radda (a city on top of a hill!!!) - the price we pay for a view.  We had book an apartment on an elderly couples working farm, just 100m from the village.  It was just lovely.

 

Tomorrow we go off south Tuscany, Castiglion where we have booked a room on a working farm, near the beach.  Basically to get a rest from our holiday.  One gets tired of looking and looking.

 

So we are well.  Having fun.  Learning lots.

Love

Trace and Rod

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