Catania/Rome/Chuisi/Montepulciano. 29th August 2011

WOW! Mount Etna puts on a show, she is spurting volcanic ash and lava into the air. What a dramatic start to the day, just for our departure.

Francesco and Fiorella take us to the airport and here we bid them goodbye, holding back the tears and knowing that it wouldn't be long before Fiorella and Nuccio would be on the Australian soil soon. We thank them for their wonderful generosity and hospitality as we leave to board our plane.

Arriving in Rome, the debate to leave the Cartagirone head begins. The hotel we were staying at are unable to look after it during our absence and a railway locker is 80 Euro and unfortunately will not accept packages over 5 kilograms, so guess what? We are two kilos over weight....b*****! It means we have to take this head with us on our journey through Tuscany. This is going to haunt us for the rest of our lives and the other question is, "Will it reach Australia's shores in one piece"?

At 12.36pm we are ready to catch our train to Chuisi as we board we are greeted by our friends Adrienne Hodgetts, Ross Walker, Peter Finney and Rob Collins. Arriving in Chuisi we are greeted by Guilia who is the director of "Terra Di Sole" and briefs me on the walking tour that we will all embark on. Guilia and I wait at the station for Aunty Mary and Venny to arrive, but due to cancellations they are delayed. So Guilia will reluctently organise a taxi to drive them to the hotel. Gulia drops me off at the accommodation in Montelpulciano"Albergo Mazocco", where I join Peter and Netty. We spend the remaing afternoon exploring this ancient medieval city.

For dinner we reunite with all our friends and after dinner I debrief them on the next days events. The atmosphere is very exciting and everyone is looking forward to the adventure that lies ahead.

Before hitting the hay, Netty, Catrina, Rob and I take a walk to shoot some night time photography.

see you in the morning