Summer Update
For those of you who think I have fallen off of the face of the Earth, do not despair.
My summer has been fun and busy, which was planned. I finished work on Wednesday 12th July, and headed for Milano for my first four day stint in Italy. I actually spent that Wednesday night up at Stansted after a piss up at the pub with my ex-students. I had an early morning flight (0815), so I had to check in at 0615. I didn't get to STN until nearly 0100, as I missed the last train from Victoria. So I had to get the ruddy coach up there, and at least I dozed off on the ride up. We were on the M11 somewhere near Bishops Stortford when I awoke and found myself utterly soaking wet. I had fallen asleep with an open tin of coke in my hand, and had dumped it all over myself in my sleep! What a fucking twat! Had I drunk that much at the pub!? I felt fine on the bus! Luckily there was a loo on the coach so I could change. Anyway, the flight down was late leaving but arrived at Orio al Serio early. I had told Stella that I'd meet her at Voghera station at 1400, and arrived 15 minutes early. You see, I'm like my dad. I MOVE when I travel.
Part One involved going to my cousin's in nearby Voghera (Pavia). I adore them - Stella and Debora are absolute stars! I always enjoy my time there, and it went by way too quickly.
I then returned home Monday evening for a 36-hour turnaround. I had time to just make a few calls and do some washing. I then headed for my village, Alberobello, with my Egyptian friend, Mira, on Wednesday morning. She is quite financially comfortable, and can be extremely aggressive and difficult at times. After a champagne breakfast in the BA First Class lounge, we flew from Gatwick to Napoli Capodichino and rented a car. We drove across to the Adriatic side.
We completely missed the worst of the heatwave in London. Whilst it was 37 C (96 F) in London, it was only a comfortable 28 C (82 F) in Alberobello. We spent everyday at the beach, and I am so dark now, the darkest I've been since I lived in Florida back in 1999-2000. I even managed NOT to get burnt this time - a blessing!!! I saw some of my cousins int he village as well, and made a few new friends, as I always do anywhere I go.
After four days with Mira, it was time to return home again. She did all the driving back to Naples, which is something she can't normally do because of her bad back. We had a drink in the lounge, which was a little stifling shoe box, no comparison to the BA lounges in the London airports. Our flight left an hour late. That put me on edge, as I was just really anxious to get home. Then our train from Gatwick back to Victoria was cancelled, and we had to wait another quarter of an hour for the next one. Then, on the train from Victoria back home, I forgot that I had to change at Bromley South. I ended up all the way down in OTFORD! A great ending to a looooong journey. Luckily I waited only 15 minutes to get a train back to my station.
I am now boiling here in my flat, as the heatwave carries on. It's 33 C today, but there are some clouds rolling over now, so maybe a well-needed shower is in store this afternoon? It's supposed to get even hotter tomorrow. I'm then off to Bologna via STN and Orio al Serio Thursday morning for the same 0815 flight, FR 4184. God I hate Ryanair, but they are so cheap that it is basically unavoidable. I much prefer BA, but they are so expensive. I'm wondering if the blonde lady officer from the Italian Frontier Police (Polizia di Frontiera) at Orio will recognise me, as she always welcomes the Italians home and I just saw her again only a week ago. It is her who always flags me in and doesn't even glance at my Identity Card.
At Orio I will be meeting a friend of mine, who is supposed to be collecting me at the airport. We'll have lunch together and he'll drive me into Milano so I can catch the train from Milano C.le to Bologna C.le. More soon!!!