Team Blandix

Ciao Italia

It's been a really long time - so where to begin is always difficult. Since the last post, we've both been very busy at work trying to get things done so we could have a restful holiday in Italy. In the two weeks before going there were a lot of bits and bobs to take care of, but finally the big day arrived. We left on a Thursday, but not until mid-afternoon, so we brought the kids to the nursery/creche then went home and packed in relative calm.
Picked the kids up and then headed for the airport. It's always an adventure getting to Gatwick Airport from where we live. It's basically back streets the entire way - which has it's good and bad points. Luckily we had no trouble and made it in plenty of time to deal with the manic security - where our butt cream was taken because it was 125 ml instead the 100ml requirement for lotions/liquids, etc.... Intriguing to think that a bomb could be stowed in a 125ml tub of butt cream .... (I'm only harping on this because I like typing 'butt cream'). :D Anyhooo.. that hurdle passed, we tried to locate a new tub of butt cream (tee hee) in the GIANT Boots (pharmacy) that is now in the airport. Boots must be making a killing in the restocking of confiscated lotions, liquids, and butt creams (haaa haaa - okay I'm outta control now).
That sorted, we found some food (always good with starving 2-year olds) and then went to find the gate our flight would be departing from, only to find that it was delayed indefinitely - so whilst waiting for new information (and trying to entertain confined-to-rucksacks children who wanted to escape) we learn that the flight is not delayed and now we have to run for the gate. Apparently the navigator/co-pilot person who was supposed to be on the flight, got caught in horrible traffic on his way to the airport and initially we were just going to wait for him, but then the navigator/co-pilot person for a flight to Palermo was transferred to us, so we got to go almost on time.
We got on the plane and then had to strap two-year olds into the seats with the airline seat belts. Now anyone who has a two-year knows that the first thing that happens when you put the seat belt on is ..... the two-year old figures out how to take it off and stand up in the seat to look out the window at all the 'ahplanes'. So after a few minutes of wrestling, cajoling and finally sticker rewards, we got everybody strapped in and contained for all of take-off. The flight was relatively uneventful given that it was landing very close to the kids normal bedtime (which by the way became non-existant for the entire trip). They really enjoyed looking out the window at the Alps as we flew over which were gorgeous in the setting sun/dusk light.
Made it to Pisa a bit late, but finally got out of baggage claim and met up with our friend and colleague Luigi, who had kindly driven to meet us at the airport and guide us back to just outside Siena. We spent a couple of days there (pics below) playing on the farm with Luigi and family and then drove to the Island of Elba (where Napoleon was exiled - yeah he was in a prison, but it had an amazing view).
We were on Elba for 6 days, most of them spent on the beach. Prior to this trip the kids only experience with the beach has been in Wales. There Libby sort of fell in and Alex tried putting a toe in, so we weren't sure how they would do here. They absolutely loved it as you will see below.
I'll stop with the words and go to the pictures - suffice to say, we had a great time and it was as relaxing as you can have with 2 two-year olds.

posted by Blandix @ 9/10/2009 04:06:00 PM