When I first discovered the writings and the later TV works of Professor Mary Beard OBE etc, Chair of Classical History at Cambridge and truly awful hair, I had already made a visit to Pompeii. During that brief visit (with a Spanish speaking tour guide) I believed everything he said and came away wanting to […]

OK, technically its evening but after three glasses of Tavolla Red with our extra-ordinary dinner, I cant even spell right. Just walking down via Speranzella for 300 meters is a feat. Two young 20ish somethings, on scooters, talking and on their phones, parted (unlike the red sea)just long enough to go around us and the worst part is […]

CLANG, CLANG, CLANGETY CLANG, CLANG ……  think very loud bells, for a whole minute, at 7 am every morning, and that’s our alarm clock courtesy of the nuns in the convent across the laneway from our hotel.  No excuses for sleeping in and not starting the day  bright and early. Today our itinerary took us […]

DUBAI TO NAPLES. There is nothing visibly older than the last two weeks in the mega rich, ultra new capitol of the United Arab Emirates. Awake at 4.00am local time, freshly made pastries and coffee, even at that hour. Brisk trip in the limo to Dubai airport and even the two hour wait there was […]

It seems like forever. But it is only; 496 sleeps since Ilze and I planned to go back to Venice for the 2015 Race. 371 sleeps since I broke my leg and had to cancel the trip. 279 sleeps since I had the pins removed from my leg. 189 sleeps since entries opened for the 2016 […]

Our last day in Rome and then off to Singapore for three days and then home at last.  Starting to miss things, this morning at breakfast, as I chose between the croissant with chocolate or the custard Panini, Ilze expressed a sudden longing for Vegemite. It’s the small things you notice. I mean when we […]

Another gorgeous sunny day, despite rain being forecast by the locals. We joined a half day tour group to Tivoli to see Villa Adriana, and Villa D’Este, a drive of 30 minutes.  Tivoli is a beautiful hilltop town and was a place for the very wealthy to escape the heat of Rome summers. Our first […]

We had to rise early for our trip to Pompeii. One hour before our hotel serves breakfast and in this city of miracles, witnessed several before sunrise.  Firstly, the light over the ‘patron saint of parking’, and secondly the obvious benefits to those who believe. Then on to the freeway in our new bus that […]

Wednesday 21st November Blue skies and sunny – a beautiful day – not a moment to waste ! The more we see of ancient Rome, the more I regret that I didn’t pay more attention in Latin classes when I was at school.  I’d give my eye teeth now to be able to read all […]

After a so-so day yesterday, with the horses of the Trevi Fountain up to their fetlocks in foam, not being able to escape from the Coliseum, and automatic teller machines that eat debit cards, we arose this morning with high hopes. And we weren’t disappointed. We caught the Metro to the Vatican (1.50 Euros each) and […]