"That's what comes of going away for three weeks"

Those were the words of my boss when I got back to work to a massive pile of applications! So, this week has been very quick and jam-packed with work (though I did go out and about in Swindon today, of which I have to thank said boss).

It was worth it though, as Italy was brilliant. We started off in Florence (2 hours queuing for the Uffizi art gallery - quite nice though nothing spectacular; beautiful buildings) then to Abruzzo National Park for lots of walking (lots of wildflowers including lizard orchids, and beautiful mountain views. We then spent four days in Rome (when Stephanie flew in - all went well thankfully), seeing all the sites, before we set off for Sorrento in the Bay of Naples. There we visited Capri (totally beautiful) and saw the relatives (really nice to meet them - we got on really well - excellent English Claudia!). We then went back around the bay to Herculaneum and Pompeii, which were just so amazing and complete - you really could imagine moving in! We went back via the mediaeval town of Castell'Arquato for a lovely meal amidst thousands of swifts before going back over the Alps via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and Chamonix.

Too many pics to sort through now, still trying to identify what we saw spp wise, but here are a few of my favourites!

Dependent on whatever order Blogger decides to show them, pics are of: various views from Capri, semi-wild wolf in Abruzzo, Abruzzo views + butterflies, Pompeii and Herculaneum; Spanish Steps, Circus Maximus and Pantheon in Rome; Ponte Vecchio views in Florence and Villa D'Este fountain in Tivoli, just outside Rome