2 posts covering the same thing. Sorry, REALLY cant suss these Italian computers.

Language barriers have been an issue. When in Switzerland and looking at a group of 3 Ibex (long horned goat type tings) I said to a German Naturalist "Was vogel hast du seen?" which I thought meant something like what birds have you also seen? Apparently not as she and 2 colleagues started to laugh pointing at the Ibex as though I thought they were birds. Oh well, not as funny as seeing a 50 year oldGerman then try to do an impression of a flapping Eagle with her arms outstretched and doing some weird puffing noise. Bizarre.

Hello All

Its now day 14 but after only 2 nights I was already in danger of being kicked out of the big brother tent having managed to lose Kats rucksack containing all her jewllery, personal items and some clothes. That coupled with shocking weather and a flooded car menat for a vey dodgy start! all well now though except for the weird Italian computers that I havent got a clue how to use!

So, good stuff. The Swiss Alps lived up to and exceeded expectations. Unbelievable how close you can get to the giant mountains without actually climbing them and such a great feeling fo space. Hhikinbg in the Jungfrau region definitely my favourite so far - for Katherien it is probably the paragliding she did there.









Now in Italy in Tusancy having already been to Lake Garda, Verona and a stunning but packed Venice. Currently typing this in Siena and about to be kicked out of the computer whcihs its been trying to do since I logged on. Next time i think Ill get Kat to do thisd as shes far more IT friendly. More to tell but another time. Hope all are well
Mike and Kat

hello all

well, after only 2 nights in the big brother tent i was already up for eviction. after a gentle introduction to the road with a tour of one of frances champagne houses we had moved onto annecy, a lakeside town in the alps, where it proceeded to lash it down into the night - not a problem for the tent but it was foir the car which wasnt sealed becxause of the dodgy fiiting of the surf roof rack* meaning thast a small puddle of water had collected in the passenger seats. not good. of coourse i lept into action(!) and started bailing but only after leaving katherines** on the side of the road. where it remained. and maybe does to this day with all her jewellery, expensive beauty products, some clothes etc ... not a cool move!

onto better things. the alps were awesome. chamonix took the breath away but the swiss alps around lauterbrunnen and interlaken were just about the most beautiful places i have been to and i canb see why kjatherine has raved aboiut them so much, certainly lived up to the billing. so much space and yet intimate all the same as you trek through grassy meadows with these imposing and stunning snow capped mountains keeping you company by your side all the way.

katherine went paragliding in interlaken and was buzzing for hours afterwards and for both of us it was very hard to say goodbye. now, we are in italy and io think the whole country is on holiday judging by the congestion, switzerland it aint! lake garda okay, verona charming, venice stunning. tuscany next...

will close this first account now, a combination of time running out and heabutting mosquitos trying to syphon my blood is more than my meagre literary and physical powers can take

all the best one and all

mike and kat

* yep, feels daft having surfboards in the alps ... role on san sabastian and biaritz
** sorry for useless spelling and grammar - cant work the itlaina computer!!

On the move! Have packed up the house and handed over the keys! We are homeless! Have headed to Cheshire for a few days to unwind. For those of you wanting more details of our itinerary all you need to do is log into this website https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/LoginServlet?SITE=ITN&LANGUAGE=US with the reservation number 2oh9l7 (make sure it is a letter o and not the number 0) and Buckley and you will be able to see all our flight details and dates! Come join us somewhere along the way!?

Test blog. Final day and counting ...