We left Rome Saturday after lots of dramas with our hire car. Poor Adam had booked and paid for it in full in Australia but after walking 20 mins in the 39 degree temperature to pick it up, was told they wouldn't accept our debit/credit card as they only accept credit cards. Thinking it was just a communication problem, he then walked all the way back to the hotel to collect our bank statements to further prove our card had credit facilities but was still refused and told the only way we could get a refund was to attempt it online! A very hot and sweaty Adam now furious. He had to then try and find another company with a big enough boot for all our luggage (very hard in Italy where it's mostly zippy little Fiats!). After hours of hassle one was finally found- but of course at nearly double the price! Urrrrrrrgggg! Not the best start to having to drive out of crazy, busy Rome in an unfamiliar car on the opposite side of the road and then negotiate the autostrada!! Adam did very well though and managed to get us all to Montevarchi safely (...with only a minimal swearing!).

Received a wonderful, warm welcome and were drowned in hugs and kisses by all our Montevarchi family. Feasted like kings and queens on all the home grown produce....Mmmmmmmm!!!! Love the lively, animated table conversations with all the hand gestures and laughing over fabulous food and home made vino.The kids had a ball with their cousins and it was great to dust the cobwebs off our Italian.

Again astounded by the generosity of our family here. Nothing is too much trouble. Andrea informed us we could have his ENTIRE house for the week and that he would stay with his girlfriend (!!) in Florence. He'd stocked the fridge and cupboards and had everything in perfect order (...eeeek this was going to be hard to maintain!!!). Adam so impressed by Andrea's organisation that he folded his own DIRTY washing before putting it in the washing bag!!!

Having to adjust to the 8pm dinners and 11 or 12pm bedtimes- even for kids! Lucky we're on holidays and there's plenty of espresso!