I’m sat in Naples airport waiting for my flight. It’s been a fabulous break. Pompeii was beyond my expectations. I’m so glad I did it.

Today I headed up to the highest point to check out St Elmo’s castle. Yes I was singing the song as I strode a crossed the drawbridge. The views were pretty amazing.

My legs hurt, my feet hurt, my face aches from smiling. I love Italy and have been many times now. This was a new part for me. I am coming back full of new memories. And pizza. Let’s just say it’s a good job they weight the luggage and not the passengers. Just saying. Pretty sure I walked it off though.

As wonderful as it’s been being away, I have missed my boys. Once again, I am grateful to the amazing people in my life who’ve looked after my animals. Without them, this trip would have been a bit more of a challenge.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Baby Sprocker. He’s definitely going to need a holiday after his holiday. I’m looking forward to seeing the Oversized Labrador. He will be thrilled that I’m back and we will be back to work ready to get out competing. I’m looking forward to seeing the Kittens. They will no doubt ignore me for a while.

So for now its arrivederci Italia. Thanks for the memories…

Well I may have fallen into Pompeii again today. I was meant to be heading to Vesuvius I know. But I had to get the bus from Pompeii…

That and the fact there was a huge cloud hanging over Vesuvius so I wasn’t sure the view would be that good. Besides, I came to visit Pompeii so why not spend more time there?

Another 4 hours in fact! This time I got an audio guide. That was rather fascinating. I learnt so much I kinda wish I’d gotten it first time. Oh well. Found more bits that I missed on Tuesday. I also missed the crowds this time. It was about a 10th of the people that I faced last time. Clearly Tuesdays are popular!

It was wonderful wandering about again. It truly is a magical place. Clocked up another 8 miles today.

I know it’s not very British, but I am really rather proud of myself right now. I set Pompeii as a goal when I was in the midst of depression post-Covid. I needed to refocus myself and start looking to my future again.

Goals, dreams, bucket list, call them what you will. I set lots of them back then. But I am slowly ticking them off. I’ve competed at Hickstead. I’ve published my book. I’ve been to Pompeii. Funny how things turn out when you put your mind to it.

There are still many more things on my list. I have made it happen. And that is something to bask in right now. I’m sure the feeling in my feet will come back at some point too…

Another day, another spectacular ancient site. This time Herculaneum. It’s much smaller than Pompeii, but packs quite the punch.

Because of the way it was hit by the eruption, there’s a better level of preservation than at Pompeii. It’s eery walking round I have to admit.

There was much to wonder at indeed. Once again the true horror of the loss was laid bare when you get to the lowest levels. This is where nearly 300 people took refuge in vaulted caves to escape the blast. Their skeleton’s remain as a chilling reminder.

I must admit, I found it slightly disrespectful watching the number of people take selfies with the skeletons. I know they’ve been dead a long time, but they once had dreams like us.

I guess it’s another reminder to live life to the fullest. You just never know what’s coming next. Well let’s hope a volcanic eruption isn’t on the cards as I’m heading to Vesuvius tomorrow.

Oh my days, I have just had a religious experience!! No I haven’t been to a church, I’ve just had a pizza…

But not just any pizza. A pizza in the country that invented pizza! A margherita in the city that invented it. In 1889 in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy in case you were wondering.

Oh and yes, I inhaled it! Then I have walked 10 miles today so I’ve definitely earned it.

It was drizzly today so I hit the MANN (or the Museo Archaelogico Nazionale di Napoli) this morning. That was a fascinating wander back through time. From the romans back to pre-history. Clearly there were going to be a lot of Roman stuff. Pompeii, Herculaneum and all that. The craftsmanship was jaw dropping. How they created such beauty with limited tools is amazing.

Got me wondering what the archaeologists of the future will find from our times. We live in a very different time. A throwaway culture where things aren’t necessarily built to last. Not sure we will be seen in the same light of creativity…

One thing I did discover is that I have Roman feet. Most of the statues have feet like mine (big second toe). Mine are throbbing slightly as I didn’t put my walking boots on today. Foolishly I didn’t think I’d walk that far…

After a few hours walking round the museum, I spent few hours walking round Naples. Hence clocking up 10 miles. I found some lovely bits. I found some not so nice bits. Typical city really. Overall, I’m having fun exploring.

Greetings from Naples! I’ve made it. It’s been a long day but I’ve arrived safe and sound ready to explore. I’m feeling decidedly grotty though. Flying with a cold isn’t that much fun! Dosed myself up and tried really hard not to be that person on the flight. Sure a good night’s sleep with help!

It was a bit of an adventure finding my hotel. The driver dropped me as close as he could but it’s on a pedestrian street, so off I trotted with my case over the cobbles. It was very hidden. In fact, you had to climb through a very small door in a very large wooden door. Rather cool really.

Checked in and am settled in my room. It’s tiny, very boutique hotel. Seems in a nice area. Kinda hard to tell in the dark though. Found a cafe and had my first (of many) slices of pizza and a scrumptious raspberry dessert. Looking forward to exploring tomorrow. But for now, it’s time to chill, rest and recharge…

Isn’t it funny how we have favourite bags for things. I pondered this as I drove to my Dad’s today. I bought a new rucksack for my trip. It came with a free satchel bag..

Winner you’d think. But when I started putting my stuff in them, they didn’t work how I’d hoped they would. So I went back to my trusty travel bag. I bought this one in New Zealand many years ago. It’s clocked up some miles since then I can tell you. It has just the right amount of pockets, zips and Velcro. Yes it’s a thing. It’s rather frustrating when you can’t get your passport, boarding pass or phone out quick enough in the queue. Most of us been that person. And a lot of us have been behind that that person!

I even dug out my Aviva backpack. Again, it’s small but mighty. That’s done a few miles too.

The new bags will get lots of use I’m sure. But for this trip, I have chosen familiarity over looks. My suitcase is neon yellow to stand out on the belt. See what I mean?!

Bert has already started his holiday. He’s having a blast already. Lots of zoomies with his brother. Let’s hope he doesn’t need a holiday to get over his holiday…

Someone knows I’m going away. Someone has been very clingy. Someone was stood watching me pack. I have had a rather sad Spaniel. He’s been velcroed to me today.

I’ve tried telling him that I will be coming back. And that he will be going on holiday too. I had a similar conversation with Buddy. I will be back before they know it…

Today has been a day of much frustration. Nothing bad happened, just ended up in a pile of bureaucracy, ineptitude and annoyance.

I was feeling rather pleased with myself too. There’s a saying in there. Something about pride and falls. Don’t quote me though.

I ordered two pairs of jeans from Next for my trip to Naples. Have I mentioned I’m going on holiday?! Anyway, I asked for them to be delivered to the nearest store today so I could pack them. Got a text this morning telling me they’d delivered them to the wrong store. And they would be at the right store within 48 hours. Ummmm that’s cutting it fine. Called and was told they’d gone to Kent! Not close then. And none of the three Next stores in Norwich had jeans in my size. Apparently size 8 tall is a minority size. Go figure!

Then I was rather pleased with myself for doing my personal tax return without having a meltdown and before the deadline. Only to find that they had charged me interest cause I hadn’t paid enough tax ready to pay my tax for a bill I hadn’t had. Honestly, it’s a dumb system. How can they expect you to pay tax on money you haven’t actually earned yet?! The joys of running your own business huh? Tried to call to discuss it. Their phone lines were down. So tried Live Chat. After an argument with their not so helpful bot, I eventually got into the human advisor queue. I was 142! Oh dear lord. Finally spoke to someone who told me that I should have known. And it wasn’t their fault they didn’t remind me. But it’s OK for them to send me near daily emails in January. Oh and they don’t give you interest on the money you pay in advance. Again, go figure.

The final straw was decanting my shampoo, conditioner and shower gel into the right sized bottles for the flights. I get there are rules, but once more the masses have to jump through hoops. It’s not the easiest job. So took longer than I thought. I didn’t have a ziplock bag so put them in another bag till I get to the airport and put them in the official ziplock bag.

I also woke up feeling decidedly crappy so that’s not helping my mood. Why do you end up being ill before you go on holiday?! Don’t answer that. I know. I really need a holiday…!

One of the liveries asked if Buddy and I could babysit her and her horse today. He’s coming back from injury so getting going again.

I love that fact that Mr Nappy Pants can be such a supportive babysitter. He has a lot of redeeming features indeed!

We just went for a quick walk round the village. Then we headed into the school for a bit. At this rate, I might have to rename him Mr Chilled Pants. Giving him quieter January really has helped him it seems…

Another day, another exciting delivery in the post. This time it’s my travel documents for my trip to Naples. It’s nearly here!

I love the fact I have actual travel documents. It’s a bit old school, but there’s something reassuring about having an actual piece of paper in your hand. Don’t get me wrong, I love technology, but I’ve seen it go wrong. I saw a poor woman literally meltdown as her phone died with her boarding pass on it…

I usually take printed copies as a back up. My printer has recently decided it identifies as a chocolate teapot and is refusing to print. So these bad boys are going in my travel bag.

Not that I have sorted out much. I have retrieved the suitcase from the garage (and removed the cobwebs). Well I haven’t left the country since 2019!

I’ve ordered two new pairs of jeans and a Lonely Planet guidebook. I’m well versed in packing light and last minute so it’ll get done…