Going backwards

Starting at the end, we brought home souvenirs of our trip. 

Husband brought melon liqueur and I brought a sockful of stones and sea glass. Each to his own. (I suppose I should confess to the giant Easter egg that accompanied us as well. What can I say: it was reduced! From 27 euros to 11.)

It's not as big as it looks. It's mostly packaging . . .

Our journey home over two days was mostly uneventful - oh, apart from a car coming down the wrong the side of the motorway driving straight at us. And the problem with the boarding boards at Eurotunnel.

We were booked to travel on the 12.20 pm. We sat and waited in the lounge keeping a close eye on the boarding calls. 'Boarding imminent.' 'Boarding imminent.'

Time was getting on but still the board showed 'Boarding imminent.' Then suddenly it changed. To 'Boarding finished.'

"What?!"

Sudden stampede of waiting travellers back to their cars. "They must know there's been a problem. The train won't go without us."

It did.

Leaving us to sit in the car in the boarding area for another hour. Not amused. Importantly it meant we hit rush hour traffic from Newport, Cardiff westwards. as we sat in yet another traffic jam I couldn't help reflecting that Italy has a lot going for it. 

The area in which Younger Son and Nuora (Italian for daughter-in-law) live is very rural and the roads are all pleasantly quiet. Driving is a pleasure - if you like driving that is. Italy also has sunshine. Our trip was a little earlier than in previous years and they'd been experiencing a cold spell of weather so evenings were particularly chilly, but days, on the whole, were lovely. Not that you'd have thought so to see the locals all wrapped up in coats, scarves and boots.

Italy also has mountains.

To give you an idea of our setting the bungalow is indicated here. It's up the hill just above Younger Son and Nuora's house, which you can just see. If you have very good eyesight or a magnifying facility.