It's been a while since we last updated you on our progress but we've now reached Rome but not all roadslead to Rome as we found out a couple of days ago. Our road (which we were told we could cycle all the way to Rome on) suddenly turned into motorway leaving us with either a detou of about 100 miles across the mountains or the train for 50 miles. Well I'm sorry folks our determination to complete this trip does not go quite that far and take the train we did. But we have found a route from this point on.

Anyway since our last report we have had a struggle with a 10 mile uphill climb was completely exhausted and camped at the top although we didn't realise this at the time. The next morning was an eyeopener as it was so cold going downhill I had to stop and put a jumper on. However it's still in the mid 30 degrees again now.

Fortunately for the budget at least we are now going through all the Italian Lidos and finding campsites a plenty. This may come to an abrupt end next week as the Italian holiday season comes to an end. We have found on our last 2 sites that the camps are in the process of shutting for the season. We actually found this quite sad as the last site the whole town appeared to be closing down. It is still hot and sunny and the resorts in England would be milking late deals and extending seasons.

First real taste of Sunday closing came in a town called Grosetto and we wouldn't have been surprised to see tumbleweed rolling down the streets. When we arrived we saw 2 people and really struggled to find even a shop open to buy a drink. It did come alive a bit at night when we found the centre of this 'Grotto' a medieval walled commercial centre.

We have experienced a scorpion in our bathroom at one of the hotels, several lizards inspecting our tent and last we had a small kitten take up residence in our tent - I've been cooing over it but Tripps says it has to go. We've seen Flamingos and white egrets and a shoal of fish jumping in the sea.

We also found a helicopter sales business in the middle of nowhere, a shop to buy my clothes when I've ditched Tripps and become a nun unless he beats me and goes into Papal robes first.

The Vaseline tub is now empty and the Sudocrem getting that way. Both of us now have real sore bums. We thought we would have hardened up toit now but clearly not. So a few days off in Rome will be very welcome.

Will try to get photos uploaded while in Rome. Hope all is well with everbody back home and keep the messages coming as they do help us through difficult periods.