*84** postcards from Tuscany

I'm actually writing this sitting at the table in my own kitchen back in England. I'm waiting for No 1 son to finish his shower so we can go for a walk but I know the prospect of walking will slow him down somewhat so I can try to catch up with everything that's happened in the last week or so.

This year I drove to Italy. Don't ask me why... it seemed more of an adventure that jumping on a plane.

On the way there I had my brother with me instead of No 2 and it was fabulous spending time with him... he is a Franciscan missionary in South Sudan and it's not often we see him.

No it wasn't cheaper, but I was able to bring back three cases of wine, 30 kg of handmade tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese and lots of boxes of Barilla pasta on a crazy offer I couldn't not take advantage of. The boot of the car also contained four small cases, one large holdall, one penny board, one ripboard, one longboard and a fishing rod. Awesome, right?

Two kids and two small rucksacks on the back seat with a big bag of food and one in the front.

It worked.

We all had our moments (me when I got flashed by a speed camera in France - doh! and the boys in turn when boredom got too much for them.

I have to say food is THE key when travelling with boys. I'm sure that at any one point there was at least one person eating something. Also I owe huge debt of gratitude to Stephen Fry for his unbelievably good reading of the Harry Potter stories. Brilliant. So good in fact that even No 1 (who hates magic and stories and has always refused to even watch the movies) was hooked and totally absorbed.

Seriously life-saving stuff.

We only managed the first two books but I'll definitively download the rest for my personal enjoyment.

I also drank lots of coffee. LOTS.

If you're interested in the route, we did it as straight as possible.... we took the train from Folkestone (a quick 30 minutes and we were in France), then straight down the motorway all the way to the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Then South past Turin and Bologna and then into Tuscany. Easy peasy. Motorways aren't cheap in France or Italy but it's easy travelling. We stopped for the night on both journey, but simply because I was the only one driving... I've done it in one stint the time dad was with me and we could share the time behind the wheel.

(in the queue for the Mont Blanc Tunnel)

I have so much to show you... but I need to get No 1 out of the shower... geesh.... kids eh?

Enjoy your bank holiday!

3 Comments

I will travel to Tuscany for the first time next Saturday and I can't wait to explore the cities! We will stay at Livorno and take our Vespa for little daytrips to Siena, Florence and the sea! Do you have any tips for me? Little sightseeing spots which are not completely overrun by tourists? I would appreciate every little hint!
Greetings from Austria
Emma

Posted by: Emma | Monday, 29 August 2016 at 04:27 PM