Euro Tour Day 12

What an awesome thunderstorm last night. The sort you only get in southern Europe. Massive flashes of lightning lighting the sky and thunder so loud it shook the van as we slept. Or tried to. Quite a night.

No sight seeing today, just driving. We're heading north up the east coast towards Venice. Half way up we've detoured in land to the small town of Assisi where Saint Francis (he of brown cassocks and animal friends) was born and lived.

Saint Francis was the patron saint of my first school, my church when I was a kid and of my rugby club so I was keen to drop by on the way north. We'll see the little hill town of Assisi tomorrow when I'll have more to report.

The van is really doing a great job so far. Just over 2000 miles in 12 days and its been purring along. We've abandoned the bed extension as its too much hassle to put up and get down in the night when Mrs B. needs to go. Sleeping up there is a little cramped and the matress a little hard but we're getting used to it.

The kitchen pod and electrical hook up are getting used every day. The whole set up is working a treat to be honest. Really pleased.

We did get talking to a California owner a couple of days ago and got a tour of his van. Very sweet. Now wondering about whether to upgrade to a Cali or continue to add little bits to this one. Something that needs some serious thought and research. No rush yet.

Now its time for curry and red wine, sat in the sunshine before it sets.

Euro Tour Day 11

Half way time wise and today we turned back north for the first time.

Today has been a driving day - and what a day. We started off near Serrento on the west coast and drove down the Amalfi coast to Salerno. That was an experience. Lonely Planet describes it as a white knuckle ride for the driver and as picturesque a coastline as you will find. Both are right. It was mad to drive with thin roads hair-pining back and forth across the coast with cliff drops off into the deep blue sea. And Italian bus drivers using both lanes and car drivers overtaking on blind corners. Another "interesting" drive!

Then we crossed Italy to the east coast on the Adriatic. The drive across was mostly quick and flat. Again on these roads cruise control is awesome.

Then we hit the Adriatic. How does no one know about this place? Okay so its late September but it is dead here. The sea is a gorgeous green colour - limestone rock on this coast - and the cliffs are beautiful. The sun is out, the temperature is fine. The sea temp is good and there is hardly a soul around. Perfection. Oh, and the cliff top road is a joy to drive. Fun, winding and with fabulous views across white cliffs and green seas. And the Italians here drive normally!

We're now camped in a little site with its own private beach about 20m from our pitch. Sun's setting and its time to make some dinner.

We'll see what the weather is like tomorrow but if it's good we'll certainly stay a day. Failing that I think the vague plan is to head north to Assisi.

Hopefully it'll be sunny...

Euro Tour Day 10

A day of Roman ruins today. We spent the day exploring Pompei and Herculaneum which were both covered in pyroclastic flow when Versuvius erupted in 72 AD.

Pompei is immense. Its a whole city and covers 55 hectares. They have done an incredible job of digging out the city and you can walk pretty much everywhere.

Herculaneum is much smaller but extremely well preserved. Many of the buildings are almost entirely intact and the wall paintings still remain. Incredible to see how life was 2000 years ago.

Tonight we're back at the coast near Sorrento and tomorrow we're going to leave the Med and cross Italy to the Adriatic. Nothing particular there, we just want to see another part of Italy.

Naples has been "interesting". The city is run down and dirty with bags of litter strewn everywhere. There are mangy stray dogs all over. It's really not a great place.

And I'm not even going to mention the Napolese driving...

Euro Tour Day 9

I'm simply loving this tour.

We woke this morning in Rome and are now camped right be the sea in a little village near Sorento down by Naples. The village has a gorgeous little harbour which looks back across the bay of Naples onto the city and Mount Vesuvius in the background. Quality views from here and a little bar on the harbour front some 50 meters from where we're camped.

Today has been a driving day but we still managed to fit in a quick climb of Vesuvius along the way. We drove up a thin single track lane to the car park near the top and walked the rest of the way up to the cauldera. Huge views from the top across the Bay of Naples and of course of the volcano crater too.

We were once again today reminded of how versatile the T5 is compared to say a motor home. Sure our little van is not as palacious as some of the houses on wheels we see along side us in the campsites but it sure is easier to drive. We've had it in an underground carpark in Monaco - just - and have been up more switchback mountain roads than you can shake a stick at over the last week with no more trouble than a car would have. Brilliant.

Barbeque is on. Broadside ale is poured. And ... relax.

Euro Tour Day 8

Knackered. Absolutely knackered. So this will be brief.

We spent the day looking around the Vatican city. St. Peter's basilica is possibly the most amazing building I have ever been inside. Its simply breathtaking. It looks fairly impressive on the outside but is like walking into another world when you walk through the doors.

We explored the basilica itself then took the 320 steps up to the top of the cupola for extensive views across Rome. Nothing is allowed to be built higher than St. Peter's and Rome's skyscape is notable for its total lack of any skyscrapers at all.

Leaving the dizzy heights we explored the catacombs beneath the basilica where the popes are buried. Its a small
stroll and worth it. The tomb of Pope John Paul II is somehow emotional and people are still stood there weeping at his grave 5 years after his death.

If you've never been to the basilica, go.

The Sistine chapel was quite a sight too although we were so tired by then we were a little underwhelmed by it. The museums it sits in are very impressive with lots of fantastic sculptures and paintings through the ages. Not our cup of tea really but still fascinating.

We both rated the Vatican experience as 10/10.

As fairly experienced travellers (Mrs Blakey especially) we both rate Rome as the nicest city we have ever been to. Exceptional place.

Tomorrow we leave Rome and head further south to the coast and the resort of Sorrento. I so need a rest.

Euro Tour Day 7

Wow. One week gone already. Time has whizzed by and we've already seen loads.

Today was spent in Rome. The T5 had the day off and we took Shanks' van into the city. Well the train, metro and lots and lots of walking anyway.

We arrived in Flaminio not far from the rugby stadium and set out on foot for the Colosseo. Along the way we took in the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, the Complesso del Vittoriano, MacDonalds, the Palatine and the Forum. The Coluseum was the highlight of the day without a doubt. "Impressive. Most impressive", as a certain Mr. D. Vader was heard to say. Was slightly disappointed not to see Russell Crow but he must have been busy in makeup or something.

We're now foot sore and weary but back at camp and fed. Watering is the next order of the day - only because we have to go into the bar to get on the Net to book tickets for the Vatican of course...

Euro Tour Day 6

Busy day today.

Last night we stuck our noses into Lonely Planet and read up on Tuscany and Florence specifically. It appears Florence isn't a particularly good looking city architecturally but is full of great museums and art galleries. Whereas by comparison the medieval town of Siena is a delight to explore without needing to enter a single building. Not being great art critics we made the choice and drove down to Siena.

Great choice. The town is beautiful with an old city wall, thin, winding, cobble stoned streets which are almost totally traffic free - apart from the ubiquitous scooters of course - and some stunning churches. A lot of them in fact. The cathedral was an absolute eye fest of white and green marble stretching into the azure skies. 11th century genius.

Some of the views across Tuscany from the town walls are amazing too. We wandered up to the university on the edge of the old city and were rewarded with a panoramic hillscape stretching off into the distance.

After spending a long afternoon in Siena we drove on down to the outskirts of Rome and are now camped up on the edge of the Tiber about 5 miles from the city. We'll stay here for a few days (no driving for a few days! Yay!) As we explore the city.

No driving tomorrow - I'm off to get a beer or three down my neck...