Sainte-Enimie from a couple of days ago just before we left the Tarn gorge.

Today we drove to Grenoble via some pretty spectacular roads. We stopped off at Font d'Urle (1500m) at the top for lunch. It's on the edge of a long ridge but unfortunately it was in cloud and high winds so only got glimpses down to the valley below.

Here's another sped up video. This time of one of the gorges on the way out of the mountains to Grenoble.

Yesterday we did a bit of a shop and a load of laundry in Grenoble before heading to Briançon and up into a valley recommended to us by Peter and Anne. We stayed the night near the village of Névache and first thing this morning drove a little further up the valley where we walked up to Lac Laramon (pictured) and did a 14km loop. Fairly easy walking but it was lightly snowing and chilly at the top. We're back now with the heating on and will stay another night tonight before heading into Italy tomorrow morning (if they'll let us in).

We've made it across the border into Italy! We were very nervous but for no good reason as the guy just waved us through.

Our first dinner out (in Saluzzo). So nice to have food cooked and served. Our waiter recommended some lovely wine, Le Strette Nas-cëtta. We were in heaven. 2 lovely pizzas (who knew the Italians are quite good at pizza?). Desserts (pictured) and two happy Kiwis!

Our mission to track down the lovely wine we had last night took us to Ormea. Some very nice artwork and success in finding the wine. Small roads / big van (slightly frightening). We found our spot for the night in Giusvalla. Rain Rain Rain. And bells! It is not a thing in Europe to consider that it is unnecessary to have the bells ringing all night (though is very useful if you're wondering what time it is at 3am).

A big drive today to Cinque Terre. We took the motorways because we couldn't cope with the windy roads due to the tiredness caused by 'bell-gate'. On the way we encountered many cyclists (wagging church). We also encountered the cruise ship that we were booked on in October, parked up in Genoa (we will no longer be attending this cruise!!). We arrived in Monterosso, the first (or last) village in the Cinque Terre just in time for a late lunch. We were happy with a pizza and a beer. The climb back up to where we are parked is 300m which we achieved with no whinging or stopping!?

Today we walked the 'Blue Trail'. We walked from Monterosso to Corniglia as the other sections were closed. It was really lovely. There were not too many people on the trail - I think this is good for us but not too good for the locals who are making a living from the tourists. We ate a lovely meal  at Il Pirata in Vernazza, but we were the only people there for lunch. We tried the local wine and Damian had a seafood feast and I had some other Italian yummies. We continued on to Corniglia for a beer (lovely local IPA from Taverna del Vara) and some more 5 terre wine. We caught the train back to Monterosso before the climb up the hill again (our lovely hosts here do have a shuttle service but we have a lunch to work off).

Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre. Deserted and postcard perfect.

A lovely day exploring the remaining villages. We caught the train to Riomaggiore hoping to find a kayak to hire but at the marina but they weren't open so we explored and went to a lovely spot called Pie' de Ma for lunch. We have had some really good craft beer in Italy which is unexpected. We then caught the train to Manarola (pictured) for gelato, a wine overlooking this little harbour where we also had our first swim. The train back to Monterosso where we had a lovely pasta dinner and tried the local sweet wine (sciacchetrà) and the local limoncello. The day finished with the daily walk up the hill which completely wiped clean all the excesses of the day.

Yesterday we left Cinque Terre and headed south. We wound our way into the mountains in dense cloud to a car park perched above some marble mines that have been in use since Roman times but couldn't see a thing. Got a brief glimpse this morning before heading back down the hill to the seaside where the sun is out and we'll do a bit of exploring of the forts as well as the fortified town of Lucca.

Able was I ere I saw Elba.

Has been a hectic few days but a relaxing soak in these natural pools in Saturnia. We managed a couple of dips and a walk up to the Roman (originally Etruscan) village on the hill where we stocked up on some salami, cheese and tomatoes. Had done a wine tasting on our drive in so have a couple of Tuscan wines to try when it's not so hot.

After Saturnia we stayed on Lake Bracciana which is just an hour out of Rome. Was lovely swimming in the lake. The shore front was set up with ropes that that every group of people were physically distanced. Was pretty busy on the weekend but on Monday when we left there were only a handful of people remaining.

We arrived in Rome, staying close to the Metro so we can easily get into Rome. We took our bikes off to the Appia Antica to ride a bit of the road completed in 190BC. I am not sure we chose the best bit (there were a lot of cars) but was good to see. We had a lovely Syrian dinner which was walking distance from where we were staying.

Yesterday we spent the day in Rome. We were a bit nervous about the big city but there were no crowds and everyone taking the wearing of masks and distancing pretty seriously. We walked from the station to the Spanish steps. Normally they would be full of people sitting, eating and people watching. Damian was moved on by the police for sitting so we were lucky to get this picture.

Next stop, Trevi fountain.

And the Pantheon, our second temperature check (first was in the campsite at Lake Bracciano) and a queue (in within 5 mins though). Is always quite a relief to pass the temp check. Amazing building, very big inside (is now a church).

Lunch. As you can see we tried quite a few different things. All of them delicious and made with great ingredients. We followed up with a gelato (of course) and would have to call it the best one so far. It helps to get recommendations!

Piazza Navona.