Tuesday, 14 April 2026

ITALY The Amalfi Coast


We have just returned from a fabulous trip to Italy.
We started off the trip in puffer jackets and scarves and ended the trip in shorts and t-shirts.
We were sooooo lucky with the weather, as the forecast prior to going was very mixed.


12 days, averaging 18,000 steps a day, counteracts all the delicious food consumed.


A little recap of our Italian adventure ❤️
Salerno, Minori, Maori, Amalfi, Atrani, Vietri sul Mare, Agropoli, Capri, Sorrento, Naples, Ischia


Day 1 - flight from Bristol to Naples, then train down to Salerno


Day 2 - Good Friday, bus to Minori and Maiori


Day 3 - boat trip to Amalfi and Atrani


Day 4 - Easter Sunday, bus to Vietri sul Mare


Day 5 - train to Agropoli


Day 6 - farewell Salerno....hello Capri


Day 7 - Capri, moving on to Sorrento

Day 8 - sunny Sorrento


Day 9 - slow train back to Naples


Day 10 - ferry to the island of Ischia


Day 11 - Naples by the sea


Day 12 - early start, homeward bound x


Jeff had his first swim in the sea of the year, on the beautiful island of Ischia.

14/52
Wednesday Weekly
(whilst we were away)


On the old mozzie front, 4 lovely bites, two infected, on my ear and my foot!!! (Extremities out of the duvet!!) Had a pharmacy consultation this morning and am on penicillin!!! Why do they love my ears???? It's exactly the same as 2yrs ago. Thankfully only got bitten in Naples (last few days) and did squash the culprit the morning after!!!


Arrivederci

Until next time (October)

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Mid week round-up!!

13/52
Wednesday Weekly!


Pinch and a punch....hello April!

Today is April Fools Day!
I have been too busy to be caught out with any April fools!!

I'm doing a quick round-up before we head to Italy, as I won't be writing here on Sunday!

Jeff broke up at midday today and Sam finishes tomorrow.


I had a lovely catch up with my sister yesterday (as she broke up last week) ...


....over in beautiful Bath.
We were treated to some glorious sunshine, which made up for the lack of any purchases!!


Jeff mowed the lawn. It's looking really pretty, although we will miss the tulips whilst away, 
which are just flowering now!


After yesterdays warm sunshine, I've really had to think about what to wear to Italy. The forecast is changeable but it looks like we may have a run of a few days of warm sunshine, so I'm going with sandals and shorts but covering all bases, taking my puffer coat and a hot water bottle!!


We will miss Easter at home, so have set out Easter treats for Sam and Poppy


And I have indulged in a hot cross bun!
Can't forgo that Easter favourite!

HAPPY EASTER X

Sunday, 29 March 2026

Sam got a job!!

12/52
Wednesday weekly


It's been a busy week for us all. 
I headed down to Cornwall on Monday for a few days to see my folks and Jeff got notification that the inspectors would be arriving!! Not great timing, given everyone is winding down to the end of term. I felt bad being away but it meant he could just get on with any extra bits in the evenings.


I headed straight down to St Ives as the weather was the best it was going to be
 and my first stop was brunch, a cream team with a view!


The school art department has membership for the TATE, so I got in for free,
 which allowed me to head up to the café on the top floor!


It also allowed me to revisit the beautiful Barbara Hepworth sculpture gardens. 
A hidden gem, love it there.


It had clouded over by the afternoon but still warm enough to wander.


And, I met up with, no other than my walking friend, Lynn and her husband, 
who were down in St Ives for the week, in their camper van.


I headed over to Mum and Dad's via Godrevy. 
Another favourite of mine.


I sat and enjoyed a proper Cornish pasty and....


....then headed up to see if the seals were in the cove.


A thoroughly enjoyable day, except my car started making a terrible noise, every time I braked.


My car ended up in the garage all day on Tuesday, so it was back to being reliant on my dad for a lift. We dropped the car off, then headed down to Portreath for a coffee and a quick bit of sea air.


 It was damp and mizzly, so not walking weather.


Thankfully the garage fixed my car.
New brake pads, discs and calipers, £201!!


Whilst my car was in the garage, we picked up mum and headed over to Tremenheere for lunch. I managed to tick 'fish and chips' off my 'must have when in Cornwall' list!


Wednesday, and before heading home, we met up with old family friends for lunch, over at the Royal Oak in Perranwell. I haven't seen them for at least 15 years, so it was a lovely little bonus. I had a good journey home, safe in the knowledge that my car was okay.


I wanted to be back for Sam. He had an interview on the Thursday in Bristol. He'd already had a telephone call and online interview, so this was the final stage. He came home very positive and said he'd find out the outcome early next week. Amazingly, they notified him the following day, 
that he'd got the job!!!!  FAB*U*LOUS news.

It's a graduate management position, with Enterprise Cars. They have four branches dotted around Bristol, which we think he moves around . Start date is the 18th of May, so he has time to find somewhere to rent and finally, move to Bristol. He breaks up on Wednesday, has the Easter holidays to really focus and plan out where to live, and then will work 2 weeks of the summer term, before finishing at the end of April. Honestly, I couldn't be happier for him. It's been lovely having him around but it was never for the long term. His goal has always been to move to Bristol and so I am delighted that it's finally falling into place.


Whilst the boys were at work on Saturday, I took myself off for a walk over on the Beacon.


I went in search of bluebells. Everything seems to be flowering early this year and I worry I will miss them due to going away. They were certainly beginning to flower, not at their peak, but I can say I've at least seen them, should they be over by the time we get home.


I had a lovely walk. Lots to see but it was particularly chilly!


Saturday was also Jeff's birthday....57!!!
Inching ever closer to retirement age!


At his happiest, diving into the crystal clear waters.


So a lovely, busy week.
Me in Cornwall, Jeff surviving the Inspectors, celebrating his birthday 
and Sam getting his job! 

The boys break up on Wednesday and then Jeff and I head to Italy on Thursday, 
so another busy few days ahead. The weather looks mixed, but it will hopefully feel a little warmer and life is always better in Italy, whatever the weather!!!