Italy

We are just back from Italy but first I will share the new building photos as it is all finished we have had the grand opening with the BBC Tv and an Olympic gold medal winner to open the curtains over the plaque.

http://www.e-hayesfield.com/westwing.asp links to all my hard work.

Italy photos link

We flew into Bergamot with Ryan air,

then into Milan and the best ever apple pastry at the station. got the train to Termoli, were a bit worried when we opened our 6 berth carriage and there was already 4 people a sleep in it with the curtains all pulled ( I wanted to see Italy go by).

Fortunately they did not stay asleep for long and we were able to open the door for

some fresh air and the curtains for the views. The children were lovely I taught the littlest one some English and we had some rudimentary conversations with the other three.

Arrived at Termoli and found our B & B, very nice and

newly renovated. On a piazza in the old town so nice and

central to what we wanted to do, walk, eat, shop,

got to the beach. The main tourist point the castello is at the end of the street.

Each morning we went to the restaurant owned by the bB& B and had a nice breakfast and P was thrilled to find a book on the WW2 campaign there that was published by the local Lions club, the owner went out and bought him a copy as we could not find it any where.

P did some days of research but seemed to finish each afternoon in time to catchup

and potter about with me. I spent a lovely day along the beach

and sitting in the sun.

We both explored the Old Town and the port and it was nice to unwind after a hectis few weeks at work.

Last night ther

e we had torrential rain

the skies opened!

Then we rented a car and drove to Gaeta, I noticed that the seat of my trousers was wet and assumed it was from the rain, An unpleasant hour while I was expecting my body heat to dry me off. But it just got wetter and wetter, turns out they must have left the window open and the car seat was drenched. I put on some dry trousers and covered the seat in plastic.

Arrived in Gaeta and found the hotel, lovely in a bay on the beach and we had a sea view room.

Met the tour group and the Veterans in various states of fitness as you would expect from men in Mid 80's and up to 96.

Two in mobility scooters and 2 in wheel chairs. about 6 of them in good shape and walked about well if slowly.

Jim from the parachute regiment had two helpers, younger vets from Iraq and Afghanistan wars , they were so helpful with the other vets as well and taking P out for a beer in the evening if the Bingo got too much. Yes in the evenings after our free dinner one of the ladies ran bingo and quiz nights.

The bus had real trouble one day and kept breaking down but the chaps just used that as an excuse to find a bar and a beer, the phot is a bar at a garage ( beer was only 1 Euro so I think they wanted to stay there, the garage owner thought it a windfall all this income )

We went to Caserta palace for a day a lovely big palace with a long walk to waterfalls in their back yard, and acres of garden. Lots of gilt and painting inside and a bed that Napoleon had slept in .

Long walks though and the free bus was full of students so the old fellas did not see all of it.

The main event was the visit to the Monte Cassino Abbey and a service in the Cassino war cemetery.

The UK embassy in Rome sent along the Navel Attaché and a bugler and we had a minister from Rome to hold a service. It was very moving the old gents all dressed up with their medals standing to attention and remembering their friends while the last post was played.

The organisers were lovely, very English, Phil in sock and sandles and shirt tucked in. Last day was a rest day so P and I explored the medieval town and sat on the beach for an afternoon.

The white UK bodies going very red in a few cases!

Free breakfast each day and free dinner each night and accommodation was covered in exchange for P being the guide. P was great the vets really enjoyed it, he spoke on the bus trips about what happened along route and added in bits from the vets on the tour. There were 40 in all Vets and sons, daughters, wives. About 4 with no vet but parents that had died and that they wanted to know more about their war experiences and this was a good way to do it.

All too soon it was over and we got a train to Arezzo in mid Italy, watched a vintage car rally and wandered about in the heat.

Masses of people were going into a church with handfuls of flowers ( sold to them by men in the street) so I wandered in and it was full a service of some sort, I lit a candle and remembered my family and especially my mum.

We decided at about 6 that it was drink time and when it came it was E14 for two, then they explained that at this tome of night you pay for your drink ( all E7 so should have had a cocktail) and you help yourself to a buffet.... so we did lots of pasta and sandwiches and cous cous so that solved dinner.

Next day back on the train and off to Milan. ( they had sold out of the apple pastries darn it)

so we had more gelato ( a daily treat).

Found hotel and set out to explore. Lovely place huge buildings, cathedrals, malls, castles etc

Dinner was out last pizza in Italy.

Then out to Bergamot the next morning and a shop in a huge mall ( bought nothing) then flew back to Bristol and here we are.

Meant to go on a hot air balloon flight today but it is too windy.