Firenze - Napoli, Sunday, 18th September

Early start, breaky at the hotel, bags repacked and off to the station to catch our train to Naples.  For the first time, we were actually sitting on the train, relaxed and not out of breath, with 10 minutes to spare, before it left.

My old friend (again from 20 years ago) Marco Guardasole, was there to meet us, and (again) we very quickly agreed that neither of us had changed on bit in all those years.  Marco's mum (Ilke, who died 10 years ago) was wonderful to me when I was in my 20's and living in Italy.  Marco and his wife, Francesca, and their two children, Sergio and Andrea, now live in the family home, directly at the bottom of the Vesuvius, and high up overlooking the city of Naples - it's amazing.  Also staying for the weekend was another old mutual friend of ours, Antonella Palumbo, who also hadn't seen Marco (or me) for 20 years.

We all headed down into town for (fantastic) pizza, where the girls were invited into the kitchen with the owner, Alfredo.  We then had a walk along the promenade to Castel Dell'Ovo, for a gelato and coffee.  Then back home, passing the Milan football team arriving at their hotel on the way,

Kids in the pool, turtles out for a run, then dinner at home with Marco's father, Sergio - who ran from the table to check the TV for the football score (between Milan and Naples) every time we heard shouts of celebration, and horns blowing around us - the night view over Naples from their Terrazzo is amazing and with fireworks going off all over the city and around us to celebrate Naples victory! 

I'd be lying if I said that Naples had fixed their long term problem with rubbish collection and general cleanliness around the city, but I've always really loved it here.  Tomorrow - once again - we are being spoiled rotten, as Marco has taken the day off work to take us up to the top of the Vesuvius (fantastic - and girls very excited) and then to Pompei - which I also love, and can't wait to show the girls.  We really are having an amazing trip.

After dinner in Florence last night - Piazza Sante Croce - girls having a chat

Pizza in Naples with Francesca Pisani and Sergio

Claudia, Ava and Sergio, at the Pizzeria

Girls in the kitchen with Alfredo

Me and my gals

Clouds with Andrea and Sergio

The bay - Naples - heading to Castel dell'Ovo

Claudia, Sergio and Pops - very hot

Andrea, Pops and Sergio with Castel Dell'Ovo behind

At the entrance to Castel Dell'Ovo - Polizia awaiting the arrival of the Milan Football Team.

We all agreed we wouldn't be swimming here!!!

Love this

Learning a quick, Italian, hand-slapping game on the fly

Antonella Palumbo, me and Marco Guardasole

Milan football team checking into their hotel

The Vesuvius - love it

At home with the Guardasoles - Clouds walking on water 

View from the kitchen - you can clearly see the lava flow (1944) to the right, which destroyed half of the suburb where their house is!

Ava and spaghetti alle vongole

Francesca and Sergio

Antonella Palumbo

A good night had by all!!!