Jewell 2015 European Travels

We are here. Last leg from Dubai to Rome (only 9 hours) seemed to take longer than the first leg from Brisbane to Dubai (14 hours), but we are here so all good.

Landed in Rome just after 1pm, then taxi to the city. Wasn’t sure we were going to survive that. I wasn’t bothered by the 110 km/hr all the way, as some of the road was even posted for 110. I could even live with the tailgating, swerving, lack of signalling and cutting in. I think I expected that. It was the answering the mobile phone and sending texts while speeding, tailgating and swerving that was just a bit too much. Especially as Milly and I were sitting up front.

Our digs are in an old apartment block only a stones throw from the Coliseum. Michelle got onto this place through AirB&B and our host, Aldo, has even provided groceries to make us comfortable. 

 

 
We had a wander around this afternoon to figure out the lie of the land. The touristy stuff starts in earnest tomorrow.

Rome looks much like Rome should. Beaut little cobblestone streets and lots of charm.

Everything looks like it needs maintenance. The Coliseum you expect to look like a bit of TLC is required, but everything else looks like it could be 2000 years old as well. I noted that every road sign is peeling, every guard railing is dented (hardly a surprise), grass growing through the bitumen.

We are off to the Coliseum tomorrow, Wednesday, then who knows what.

 

 
That’s enough for now. Off to bed.

Steve J.

Fortunately we have made Dubai, arriving about 4:30 local time. Stepped out of the plane onto a bus and got hit by 34 °C. Then a 15-minute bus ride to the terminal.

Fourteen hours is a bloody long time sitting in a very squeezy seat. Must be murder if you’re 20kgs heavier than I am. I’ll let you know on the way home.

We are all pretty sleep deprived (as attested by the air of terseness in the camp…) but looking forward to finishing off the first leg. We leave Dubai at 9:10 local time and get into Rome after lunch.

  
No pictures, it’s not worth taking any yet, it’s just an airport and a plane.

Steve J

Usual last minute rush and drama. Took cat to kennels (cattery really) first up in morning. Nearly had to take him home again as we were told he should have had his cat flu shots two weeks ago, not Friday. An extra charge for keeping him in quarantine. Better get used to forking over money for stuff.

Everything else okay, everyone up-sized their bags before we left, just to guarantee we take too much stuff. Caught shuttle bus to Brisbane at 1700 and had an easy run through customs, etc. Plane left on time at 2100 and we are presently cruising at 30-odd thousand feet at 900 kms/hr. Three hours down and not even to Darwin. Eleven to go.

That’s enough. Wanted to get a post in every day near the start. You know they’ll get sparser as I go. I’ve already missed a day as it’s just after midnight!

Cheers, Steve J.

Okay, we haven’t gone anywhere yet. But we are ready. Amelia is getting in a last shift at the Cheesecake Shop at Sunday penalty rates, the proceeds of which will no doubt be invested in some Paris fashion shop.

Cases packed (I can’t find any socks, might have to buy some), iPads charged and thankfully the tickets to the Rugby arrived on Thursday. Arrived might be an overstatement. Michelle had to drive to Brisbane to collect them, however we have them. Can’t wait to do the customer survey.

Guinea pigs have been agisted, cat goes into the cattery in the morning and the in-laws have arrived to look after Hannah. Amelia has made a batch of celebratory cup cakes to underline the occasion. Not sure what else there is to do, pretty sure that it won’t be done now.

 

The itinerary is as follows:

• 30 August – eat cupcakes
• 31 August – depart Brisbane 2100 hrs
• 2-4 September – Rome
• 5-6 September- Florence
• 7-8 September- Venice
• 9-10 September- Bern
• 11 September – Luxembourg
• 12-13 September- Paris
• 14-16 September- Caen
• 17-18 September- Lille
• 19-21 September- Brussels
• 22-25 September- London (Emily arrives from Melbourne)
• 26-27 September- Tunbridge Wells
• 28-30 September- Salisbury
• 1-3 October- Monmouth
• 4-6 October- Leicester
• 7 October- depart Heathrow 2215 hrs
• 9 October- arrive Brisbane 0610 hrs

The next update should see us in Rome (unless I post some photos in the meantime).