Nous sommes en France!

We finally have the chance to practise our French. We’re in Nice, with only a park between us and the sea, and shops and restaurants directly behind us. It is the best location we have had - many of our hotels have been out of the city centre. We’re here for two nights with more free time than usual, so had dinner on our own for the first time in Europe. Our waiter spoke English and had us on a bit when we tried out our French. We asked for the bill as our tour director had taught us - he said ’Non!’ and laughed at us. Also told Allan off for pinching my chips, so it was entertaining. I had my first steak since we came to Europe!

Earlier today (Monday), we went to the Leaning Tower at Pisa - it looked much more impressive in real life than in pictures we had seen.

We also had a tour through a perfume factory and the opportunity to buy, of course. The men were noticeably reticent on this part of the tour!

We drove around 450 kms today, and in 2 ½ hours driving along the coast of northern Italy, we went through 176 tunnels. They block out the views, but do give you long straight roads. We have found all through Europe that wherever there are hills and valleys, they build tunnel and bridges - a bit different to home. Many of them have other tunnels veering off them as well. The longest tunnel in Europe is 17km, although the longest we’ve done was 14, I think. The coastline that we did see in Italy, Monte Carlo and the south of France (the Riviera) is amazing - steep hills down to the water, absolutely covered with houses just clinging to the rocks. A lot of it is pretty ritzy, but access must be a nightmare. The views are magnificent though.

Their graves can’t be below ground because of the rocks. Instead they have them stacked into concrete walls.

It was a little grey today, but yesterday was the first day that we have had rain - it hosed down in Florence for 15 minutes, and also when we were driving, but then the sun came out again. In Europe, we have not had our warm clothes out at all, whereas in the UK, our summer gear stayed in the suitcase, so I feel vindicated with the amount of luggage I packed!