Where has summer gone? Italy!

Given that it is almost the end of Summer and I have not added a post for two months - and we have been in several countries in that time - I thought it best to provide a quick update and maybe add some photos by way of saving on the typing!

The girls finished school on the 23rd of June for the Summer and we left Germany on the 24th June heading to the Amalfi Coast for just a few days to meet up with our good friends Maree, James, Ollie and Oscar and Brett and Barbara. We stayed in the best village, Praiano, in the best little hotel - Hotel Margharita. Simple, yet with the most amazing views of the Amalfi possible. Three star prices with five star views - and Pizza!
From the Amalfi we headed to Naples (not much to say except that there are clearly no taxes being paid by the infamous residents as all the dollars are being spent on fancy boats etc). After a brief stay in Naples (s'posed to be three days and turned it to one night) I headed to Rome with the girls whilst Chris made a quick side trip to Boston - as you do! We had six days in Rome in total and the longer we spent there (Chris arrived after two nights) the better it seemed to get. We really relaxed into our stay at Campo DiFiori. A great apartment above fun restaurants and bars and more Pizza places. We did all the sites then just got into the flow of walking, looking, eating, drinking and relaxing.
This trip was so much fun for us all as we had a chance to see great friends and share the experiences beyond ourselves as well as discover that Australia is not the only place with absolutely amazing coast lines!

Speaking of Australia, after one day back at home I packed the girls off on a 34 hour long Journey to Sale, my hometown, to check up on my mother and see family. It was a busy time playing taxi for Lucy, play mate for Ada and catching up with family and friends where we could. As well as Sale and several side trips to Melbourne we went to Sydney and Tamworth (where we finally caught up with Chris - who had been in San Francisco and Chicago!) We had more family time seeing nieces, nephews, sisters and brother in laws. Then home again, via Singapore....Our truly favorite stop over as we stay with friends, swim in their pool and Ada sees her friends (as do we!). When we return to Berlin from Singapore the journey, albeit 13 plus hours, does not seem so daunting.

So here we are, back home again, and about to spend the last lazy days of summer taking my Mum on some trips around Europe ......



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