Big Hello

To Cathy and John and family, welcome to the blog (and anyone else we havn't said hello to, Hi Babara)

Got back from Italy this morning, to short a journey for anyone to have missed me much. This time the trip was more leisurely than last year. 18hrs travelling, arrived just before lunch and adjourned to a nice hillside tavern about Florence, then a tour round the centre of Florence in the afternoon. Dinner in Florence. Drove up to Verona on the highway the following day to arrive there just in time for lunch. Did some stone selection then adjourned for dinner on the street facing the Arena where Placido Domingo was performing Aida whilst we drank and ate. Quite audible. More work the following day finishing just in time for lunch which we had a Liase? on lake Garda. Whole trip was very civilised.

My apologies to those of you who rushed of to Paris to meet me, we ended up flying to and from Rome. Jen graciously picked me up from the airport at 6.15 this morning, first time I believe she has seen a sunrise after a sleep (i.e. excluding full moon parties and raves).

Cowes week next week? Cath, check that caravan is well anchored in case the wind gets up. Steve, looking forward to seeing your new pad. Julian, have any windows in yet?Peter, how's the polo team?

National Day here on Monday so we get a lie-in. Claire and I appeared to be recovering from our Parvo Virrus which gave me stiff and swollen joints and gave her a rash and rosey red cheeks.

Speak to you all soon.

Nic