Benvenuto in Italia…

Summer holiday season and we’d plumped for Italy this year. Having been a committed Francophile for many a year I had been resistant to Italy, but upon Emily’s insistence that we 'go somewhere different', I reluctantly agreed. And I have to say I was in no way disappointed! Last year I visited Milan which blew me away; this year it was Lake Garda and Venice which equally blew me away. I am in danger of becoming an Italophile. Whatever next!

On Lake Garda we had chalet type accommodation at Bella Italia which is a Eurocamp kinda place. It was great - 50m from the multiple pools, and 200m from the supermarket, restaurants and Lake Garda itself. There was loads to do, but equally we spent only limited time there, amusing ourselves with ferry hopping to the beautiful towns of Sirmione, Garda and Lazise; a trip to a water park at CanevaWorld; high octane sofa riding or more serene parasailing; and exploring the market at Peschiera del Garda. We ate great food – whether locally sourced and cooked at home or cooked for us at lakeside fine dining – Italian cuisine certainly didn’t disappoint. And then there was the endless varieties of gelato – an almost daily experience of ice cold heaven to bring relief to the 35 degree heat. And the Aperols and the nibbles. All very civilised. Morning swims in the cool waters of the lake followed by pistachio croissant and coffee. I was in the land of the gods. Honestly – watch the video you’ll see how much we loved it!

And then it was 2 nights in Venice! Seeing the sights by day and by night, with brief respite in our lovely apartment in the Cannaregio area. And all topped off by more fine dining and a dusk gondola ride. Magical. Final departure was by water bus to the airport – definitely the way to exit our Italian adventure.

Oh my god. Italy you rocked for us. Grazie millie! We’ll be back for sure!!

Videoclip: Italy 2024

Or you can watch the video here

Black and Blue...

We’ve been dog sitting again. This time for a beautiful black labrador called Blue. He belongs to our neighbours and so is well used to coming round for a play as Niomi loves to have him round for a quick ball throw after school. The difference in doing a little dog afterschool care and being a fulltime dog carer is quite marked though. First off he’s quite a big dog. And big dogs need big walks, eat big food, do big poos, have big slobber and take up big space. They also leave big hair all over the place. But then they also have big soppy eyes and give you big love. So he’ll be leaving a big space in our hearts when he goes. He is however full of energy and a great climber, so was happy to assist us with getting the kids up their first munro, Ben Lomond. They were shattered after, and also so was Blue (well at least for half and hour).

Emily has also started the holidays by detailing her thoughts about the rest of us – describing us as an animal, colour, season, Disney princess and flower with the aid of some nifty tech. This was based on something that she did with her friends and an app that just allows you to bash these things out. I guess my prides not too bruised black and blue with my answers and hey, if you have to be a Disney princess then there’s worse options than Jasmine 😂

Next up Italy and Lake Garda! Arrivederci 😀

The boy Blue

On top of Ben Lomond

He loves to play in water

Shattered

Videoclip: What I think of...

Or you can watch the videoclip here