Just back from a fabulous weekend ‘glamping’ on the North Norfolk coast. Stayed in Thornham in a safari tent with running water, power shower and flushing loo – this is what camping was meant to be like!

The occasion was Paul’s 50th birthday, celebrated with friends, campfires,
and lots of wine and food, including Vida’s famous carrot cake.

Spent time on the beach flying kites, going to the pub, and just generally lazing around in the 30 degree heat – a perfect weekend.

We’ve known for some time that we wanted to do our first big trip down to Italy. Paul has been there years ago but I never have, and based on the fact that everyone you meet says ‘oh yes, it’s fabulous and you must go to x, y and z’ we felt this was a definite destination.

But how far is it and how long will it take? Armed with our shiny new European road atlas and Google Maps we plotted a route that took us down through France, across to Venice via Switzerland, and then around the whole coast of Italy and back up (including a detour to Sicily).

How far? – 4717 miles and 99 hours and 9 minutes of driving – wow!

We have 8 weeks so some decisions will need to be made as to where we go, as we want to see Italy properly and don’t want to spend all our time driving – suggestions please via the ‘contact us’ page…….

So, not long to go now before we’re off on our trip – less than 3 weeks and counting! Paul has only 6 days left at work and then we have his 50th birthday celebrations – off to North Norfolk with a few close friends for some glamping – must remember to make the most of the luxury facilities before we start the real thing.

Loads of things still to sort out – seems to be a lot of planning, and I must remember we’re not going forever – only about 8 weeks for our first trip. France and Italy here we come!