Sunshine, sailing and swimming in Sicily!

Hello! We are back in the UK after our last mediterranean sojourn. Jeez we are going to miss swimming in the Med!

Managed to survive a week on Uncle Robin's fabulous boat - sailing around the Aolian Islands. Spent our days sailing (or motoring) between each of the islands, stopping for swims or to pick up fresh seafood from the local fisherman. Tough job but someone had to do it! The islands themselves were fascinating and all very different. Stromboli with its active volcano which put on a great night display of fireworks (people actually live on this island!) Lipari with its amazing archaeological museum of all the Greek and Roman findings from the islands and a beautiful medieval town. Panarea and Salinas - more like Greek islands with their whitewashed houses, tiny winding streets and trailing bouganvillea - and loads of cats! Another great discovery was Tropea in Calabria where the boat is moored. Can't we believe we've never been to this part of Italy before. Stunning beaches, azure waters and Tropea is a lovely medieval town perched high on a cliff overlooking the sea. Highly recommend a trip for some sun, sea, and great food and wine!

Left the boat to meet up with Kat's mum in Palermo - for our week in Sicily. Travelled via a very slow but scenic train down the mainland coast, across the straights of Messina (the train goes on the ferry!) and then across the north coast of Sicily. Right next to the sea for most of the way -fantastic! After a whistlestop tour of Palermo with its fabulous Moorish/Norman architecture, we caught the train to Cefalu and our apartment in the heart of the old town, complete with sun terrace and sea glimpses. Had a fantastic with Kat's parents - enjoying the fabulous food and seafood, and the lovely beach. Hired a car for a few days and toured some hill villages and spent a day at Agrigento - where there is an ancient Greek settlement with astonishingly well preserved 2500 year old temples - the mind boggles!

Came back to the UK last week, and headed straight down to North Devon with Kat's parents to Appledore where we had a cosy little fisherman's cottage for the week. Appledore is a pretty little town with pastel cottages and tiny streets overlooking an estuary dotted with fishing boats. Enjoyed some of the best cliff top walking we've done around Clovelly and Hartland Quay. Spent a day at the Eden Project which we thought was incredible - amazing what you can do with a clay pit these days!

After a fantastic Field Family farewell bash at Kat's aunt and uncle's place in beautiful Wiltshire, we are now up in London for the week, catching up with friends and looking forward to Fiona's wedding on Saturday!

Only 3 weeks to go now before we fly home. Beginning to look forward to it.....