Fancy a cruise?..part 1 ..Sorrento.

Looks like a great place to visit, I love all that footwear hanging outside the shop!

Guess you like shoes then?..you would have fun there :o)

Looks wonderful Bloomer, just the sort of place i like....

yes its ok by me..more please Sandra, what time of the year did you go ? it looks lovely :o)

Thanks for that Sandra, I really enjoyed that. What lovely pictures and a fascinating place.

Mmmm lovely sunshine ~ beautiful views ~ just the thing on this rain drenched day :o)

A very pretty place! Thank you for sharing.

Looks nice, I like all the little streets, theres something special around every corner.

I think I may have to put this in my favourites Sandra...lol :).......makes one quite excited........three and a half months to go!!!

Motinot...it is wonderful,and I haven't ever heard anyone say they didn't like it...:o)
Joanella....We went on the 7th to 21st September..still warm,but not overbearing....glad you enjoyed it..:o)
Thanks Cinders..Italy is our favourite country...so much history too..
Neellan....I agree,there are stunning views here..pleased you liked it...
Thanks Nariz..so much more to see than I have shown here...
Littlelegs....This is the charm of the place,and lots more little streets to explore too...and lovely people...
Lou...I put this on, mainly with you in mind...just to give you a taster,if you decide to visit...in three and a half months !!! :o))

Lovely blog Bloomer we need more like this to warm us up. I went to Naples, Capri and Ischia two years ago and really want to go back and see Sorrento. We spent a day in Pompeii
which was amazing and somewhere I had always wanted to visit. Maybe next year......:-)))

Thanks for posting this - you know Italy is our favourite country...:-)) It brought back many happy memories of visiting and staying at Sorrento and other places on this beautiful coast. Ravello has to be the top of the list, though. Simply amazing up there. :-)))

Oooh! I've gone all nostalgic!

Where did you stay Annella? We went to Capri the first time,as we stayed for a week in Sorrento,but haven't been to Ischia.Absolutely loved Pompeii,and want to go back,as we only spent an afternoon there,because we went to the top of Vesuvius in the morning....a dream realised..always wanted to do that..beautiful clear day too,so very lucky.

I remembered you love Italy Spritz,and pleased you enjoyed your trip down memory lane...We have never been to Ravello..but hopefully one day :o) I have to think,as it is Rapallo we have been to,before visiting Portofino..similar names....thats another blog,for another dreary day...don't want to overload everyone...! :o))

We stayed in Naples, then had two nights in Anacapri on Capri and a week in Ischia before getting the ferry back to Naples. We went up Vesuvius the day after Pompeii but still would have liked more time there to see it all. Spritz I saw pictures of Ravello after coming back from holiday so another good reason to go again :-))

That sounds nice Annella,think most of us want to revisit..who woudn't ?:o))

Yes, could be Rapallo - we stayed there one year as well!

Portofino is another lovely place to visit - but not to shop! With names like Gucci & Valentino I just looked...a bit like Capri - similar names there, and 'beautiful people' off posh yachts....SIGH....

Was it the same climbing Vesuvius as it was years ago - putting on shoe-covers and scrabbling upwards? I remember it well...I wouldn't do that again! :-((

Now Pompeii and Herculaneum, yes please - fascinating. We went on a train so we had lots of time there. Much better than an organised tour, which we did the first time.

I WANT to go BACK to Ravello! See what you've done, Bloomer? LOL.

Lol,Spritz..I only bought an icecream cornet in Portofino...and first time we went,I went to pick a jumper up,.folded neatly on the shelf,like Benetton used to do...The assistant shouted" YOU NO TOUCH"..so I slunk out quietly...:o))
We didn't have to put shoe covers on,as there is a road which goes half way up now,and a car/coach park...so only a meandering path from there,and not too steep.We were told by a friend,if you take the "walking"stick you are offered,they charge you for it on the way back...solution?..give it to someone else before you get to the entrance gate..very naughty..:o)
we went to Herculaneum 2 years ago,and enjoyed that too.different from Pompeii,but really brings it home ,that these were real people..I would like to visit the Museum in Naples,to see all the other artifacts,and originals...Are you looking through brochures already ? :o))

I wanted to visit the museum Bloomer but we ran of time and had to get the ferry to Capri. We also used the train Spritz and stayed in Pompeii till it closed, the sun was going down and the ruins looked beautiful in the golden light.
I loved Vesuvius but felt really light headed so didn't do the last climb (I'm blaming the August sun not the vino..Lol) :-)

This is really interesting for me as I've never travelled to the continent (except for a 4 day trip to Paris many years ago). So...I did appreciate your photos and I, like many others, would very much like to visit Pompeii one day. And visiting the museum in Naples would be very interesting too.

Thanks for some beautiful (and sunny!) photos, Bloomer. I think you were wise to ditch the walking stick before the return journey....I wonder what the recipient thought? Bet they got a shock when they got to journey's end!

Glad you enjoyed it ,W.lass.You may get the opportunity one day..I hope you do,you would love it..It was a bit sneaky about the walking stick,wasn't it ?..I hope they sussed it out before they returned,as they would have been offered one...some people are just too tight to buy one..!!!!

Bellissimo Bloomer - we honeymooned in Lido de Jesolo back in 1978 - loved the place - have not returned to Italy though - perhaps we will for a special anniversary?
Have scrolled through this blog twice - love it - just lovely on this grey and damp day. : o )))))

Thank you Shirley..We had our first holiday abroad in 1978,to Rimini..found out I was pregnant the day before...!
Been to Lido 3 times,as we love Venice,and so easy to get there on your own..
We also called in at the Hotel in Sorrento where we stayed last time,but no tour companies use it now for British guests,but the one next door does..so maybe we will try it sometime..very central too,as with it being very hilly,you have to take that into account...at our age ! Lol.Should have kept that walking stick,so serves me right for being mean..:o))

We holidayed in Lido de Jesolo for years and years when we were children, my Dad used to drive us there, it took three days and my memories of this place are very much treasured. Lovely blog, Bloomer, oh to see blue skies again!!

What a lovely place to go as children,that 7 mile beach is
just the thing for a bucket and spade...we used to buy Spumanti for 62p a bottle in the supermarket,can't remember Italian lira now....and we buried it in the sand to keep cool...cheaper than Capuccino...as we were on a tight budget..LOl .It is horrible here too,very dark and gloomy,and had the lamp on,most of the day...this is what I hate most,so I am glad you enjoyed some sunshine Grandmage..

Well that was a lovely taster Bloomer, we have never been to Italy but it sounds fantastic.

Stroller, I hope you go one day...it really is the most beautiful place in the world...even the men are beautiful!! ;) Unfortunately, it's not British, so we won't go and live there...all that corruption and mafia and the like..no thanks! But what a place to visit! I've only been to Lake Garda, Venice (Wow!) and Rome. I still have lots of visits to make to Italy...I hope! Next time...Florence, or Pompeii or The Amalfi Coast.....bliss! And as for Limoncello....cheers!! :)) Bring on the rest of your summer blogs Bloomer, just looking at it made me feel warmer!

oooh takes me back to italy ~ not unlike the italian lakes which i love.
i went to sorrento when i was 10 ~ the only thing i can remember was a tree in the middle of a town square and appeared to be growing oranges and lemons on the same tree!!??

lovely blog and pics sandra, i would love to go there looks beautifull, glad you had a nice cruise when you went :o))

i dont usually like going on holiday ~ get stressed packing! but right now if someone could beam me up to sorrento that would be just great!

I like the idea of being "beamed up"...lol.......I quite enjoy the packing and getting ready....seems part of the holiday as well...and the travelling......I'm really looking forward to visiting Italy now.....

visiting italy is brilliant, they are so friendly and the scenery is superb. food of course is excellent ~ i dont know how they stay so slim!
i hate the getting ready but im quite happy packing up to come back ~ unless im on a scottish island ~ never want to leave there

Thanks for showing these lovely photos Sandra. They've made me feel better after an unfortunate happening today.

Please show some more of your warm sunny pics :o) I shall look forward to them !

I certainly do love shoes, Sandra, and I would have had a ball at that shop!

Thanks for a lovely blog and all those lovely photos.

Stroller....everywhere we have been in Italy has been lovely,and something for every taste..Lakes,Beaches,Countryside,Cities...each with their own beauty...
Karen....Glad you agree,and pleased you enjoyed this.Florence is my favourite city of all,so far,and so easy to find your way round.The Duomo is amazing,built in all that green,pink and white marble...Had to go twice to take it all in...and the copy of the statue of David..fantastic..we never got to see the original,as the queues are never ending..I will do another blog soon..just have to decide the place..:o)

everywhere is great there, i agree althou the cities are not my favourite.
montecatini [?] was where we stayed and i loved it, but i have 2 real favourites
limone on lake garda ~ just perfect
and lago di tenno above lake garda ~ you have to see the water to believe its colour ~ it is out of this world!

Sticki...I wouldn't be surprised if that big tree isn't still there,don't think much changes there..not like here...I would "beam you up," if I could :o)
Lou...You will be "beamed up" before long,in the big Aeroplane..Lol.I don't mind the packing either,its deciding what to take,and what to leave out...glad you are excited..:o)
Hywel...glad I cheered you up..are you ok? ..haven't been on here till this evening..
Pip...ah,so you have a shoe fetish? could be worse..! I would have had to drag you away from that shop,or you wouldn't have seen anything else.Lol.
Thanks Clarice,glad you liked it..:o)

thanks bloomer, would be a lovely dream right now ~ maybe i will have another look at my photos! if i find a nice one i will post it!

We have yet to visit The Lakes,but they are on our list,Sticki..Just had a short visit to Simione( spelling?) on Lake Garda...after we had visited Verona,a few years ago..it poured down..so not the best impression of it.Its knowing which resort to choose,as there are so many on Lake Garda..will probably be doing a lot of "googling" when we decide..

stay anywhere on garda ~ personally i would choose limone but the great thing about it is you just hop on a boat and you can go to any of the little towns ~ several in a day if you like and then another on a different day. malchesne [?] is quite different ~ it has a chair lift to monte baldo [?] and at the top there is a refugo [?] ~ cafe to us, and the best lasagne i ever had ~ take a cardigan tho ~ its hot on the lake but quite cool on the top!
little cafes and bars all round the lake with lovely views.
ive put a photo of lago di tenno on my pictures ~ we walked there from riva.

Yes I'm all right now thank you :o)
I hope you are too, after your accident.

Once I bought five pairs of shoes in a day - this wasn't planned - that was in April, and I think the 'Imelda' jokes have finally stopped coming!!

I burnt my shoulders up on Monte Baldo, Sticki! We stayed at Malcesine, and loved it there. All of Lake Garda is beautiful - our first ever holiday in Italy was at Torbole on L. Garda. :-)))

oh yes, i remember that ~ you must have had hotter weather than us spritz ~ thanks for the correct spelling ~ i went blank!

Like you Hywel...Ok.Thanks..:o)
mmm ... Imelda Pip has a certain ring to it.Lol
\o/ Spritz..so many places to check out,and all sound lovely..:o)

We've had so many holidays in Italy - loved all of them. It's a beautiful country with so much to see and do. Last time we stayed at Lake Maggiore. Fantastic scenery, and gardens to visit too - what more could you want? lol.

another holiday in italy spritz?

We haven't managed to have one this year ANYWHERE so I think i deserve one!

I do hope we're both well enough to go next year - and yes, why not Italy LOL.

i think you do deserve a holiday ~ have a look at those catalogues!
we went on a coach tour for the first time to italy ~ its so much easier when someone else sorts it all out ~ didnt even have to queue much at all for the art galleries in florence cos the tour operator did that ~ thats what i call a holiday!!!

Very Tempting Sandra, I love those narrow streets and all the little shops, always think Sorrento has a romantic sound to it. Its our 51st wedding anniversary today and I wish that if I shut my eyes for a few moments we will be whisked away into the sunshine to explore the streets of Sorrento lol wishful thinking ;0)

Pansy....you look too young to be celebrating 51 yrs. of marriage....I hope you get to see Sorrento one day...it's a place I'd like to see too but we are lucky to have these lovely photos to get an "imaginary escape" there which will have to suffice for now!

Many happy returns on your anniversary :)

Many congratulations to you and Harry,Carole...and hope you have had a lovely weekend...You can both have an extra pudding on Thursday,when we meet up ...hope we don't need a sledge..Lol.Glad you liked this..second time around for you though..:o))

Happy Anniversary to you both. xx

Thanks all, I didnt mean to hijack Sandra's blog!
Sandra looking forward to our Xmas meal on Thursday and catch up on all our news!

Me too,Carole..you didn't hijack my blog...its called perticipation..LOl.I wouldn't have got to know about your special Anniversary otherwise...:o))

is there going to be a part 2 of this blog ~ i liked part 1
where could we go next time?

Oops,re my last comment..I meant to say..Participation !
Don't think there is a word called perticipation..or is there?

there is now bloomer! perhaps it mean perky anticipation??

Yes, there is going to be a part 2,and a part 3..probably one or two more as well..I think I will finish Italy first,if its ok with you all....

Oh good Sticki...that sounds a fair description...:o))

What a beautiful place, have never been to Italy, thanks really enjoyed your pics.

Dd, you must go sometime, its 'the' most beautiful place, Florence, Venice, Rome, The lakes, Verona, out of this world.

Yes,you would love it Dd,Grandmage and I can recommend it :o))) wish I was there now,we have snow again !!!

Looking out of the window Bloomer and wishing I was there, what a shocking day here!!

Just done a little blog with photo's,Grandmage..have you got snow too? it is so depressing..glad we went out for lunch yesterday..poor birds,I had just fed them early on,but all covered now and buried under the white stuff.Grrrr..

oooohhhhh Bloomer, no snow here, i am very glad to say, just torrential rain, its dreadful, so sorry you have to face that all over again. Bless the birds as you say, but they will be Ok, hopefully, at least we feed them! Take care.

italy is a wonderful place ~ i went when i was a child and was not impressed but its changed a lot, ive been to florence and tuscany but its the lakes that i love best ~ garda and a little one beyond that which is the bluest lake you ever saw ~ Lago di Tenno. friendly people, lovely food, beautiful blue sky ~ what more could you want? oh yes i know ~ good coffee, limoncello and wine!

I don't think I would have appreciated the beauty of it,when I was a child,Sticki...but then again,I didn't see the seaside till I was 7..Dad away fighting for King and Country..we went to Blackpool,and it was the most exciting place to me..the beach,sandcastles..my very first packet of crisps..Smith's,with the little blue bag of salt inside...luxury..I can still recall that flavour....a child of simple tastes..Lol.

i remember those ~ i can see the packet now! if you read the book 'Toast' by nigel slater he reminds the reader of loads of foods we used to have
my dad didnt like the beach so my memory of holidays is camping in between long drives. mum and dad had a friend who went to live in italy ~ so dad drove us all the way down to the naples area to visit them ~ i think there were 5 of us in a viva!!

You can still buy those, Ladies.

yes ive seen them, there were also some things i used to like to buy from the tuck shop at school ~ potato something ~ they cost 4d!!! jammy dodgers were 1d i think?

Wagon wheels, blackjacks, ( are we allowed to say that? ) curley whurlys, sherbet dips.......................

i remember all those, we could say anything in those days ~ but we werent allowed to swear or be cheeky!
there were fruit salads ~ like the black jacks too, and flying saucers which i never liked.
buttersnap was one of my favourites but that has now been changed to 'Dime Bar'.

Monkey nuts too!! also Jamboree bags! Hey Sticki, my Dad used to drive us all to Italy to Jesolo & Diana marino (not sure of spellings) and it took three days, so we camped by the side of the road what an adventure we had, we loved it, also the ferry crossing was to me as a child the most exciting part of the journey! Memories eh?

oh yes ~ jamboree bags!!! i had forgotten those!
i remember the ferry ~ but not so fondly as you! wont go into the reasons!!

I knew I would set you all off,reminiscing..great isn't it,?
Don't think I would have fancied driving all the way to Naples Sticki..what a marathon..Diana Marino was far enough for us by coach..I had to buy new mule type shoes when we got there,as my feet swelled up so much..never had it before or since..lovely holiday though,as was Lido de Jesolo..but went there 3 times by air..so we could see much more of Venice..Happy days.I remember all those sweets too...and caling at the chippy on the way home from school,for a pennyworth of chips,wi bits ! Lol.

i dont think we had many chips. i remember fetching the bread for mum and we were allowed to eat a bit of it on the way home!
it was certainly a long way bloomer! ~ naples ~ not the bread shop!

Lol,Sticki...:o)

Who only brought home half a loaf to their mums because we had eaten the other half? Lol !!! We were happy kids, just doing the simple things, weren't we?

we were ~ and out on our bikes all day making dens in the woods!

oh,how I loved my bike too..and making dens in the woods as well..playing rounders in the farmers field..mums and dads as well..great family times..

no farmers fields near us ~ but there was a building site at one time so i went climbing on the new houses ~ until ... my mum shouted at me and i had to come in! ~ my brother told her ~ im sure it was cos he couldnt climb up!!

We would have been good mates Sticki, as we used to climb up the new builds too.I was promised a foreign coin by one of the lads ,if I jumped off the beams of the first floor bedroom,on to a pile of sand..and I did! trouble was,it was opposite our house,and my dad saw me,but daren't shout in case I fell...but boy,was I in trouble afterwards..got a really good smacking too..and never did get the foreign coin...motto..never believe everything you are told...Lol.

sorry to say that made me laugh!! i got smacked with the ruler once ~ by my mum but she broke the ruler and i knew dad would be cross if his ruler was broken!!!
the things one remembers!!!!

Its ok to laugh Sticki,we all did when we recalled it..we don't see any danger,when we are kids,do we ? everything was an adventure..and its how we learnt..I think a lot of children now,are not allowed to experience the rough and tumble stuff,too over protected sometimes...although I wouldn't advise jumping from windows..Lol...but what great memories we have.:o))

I was always 'up' the trees in our local park and I was always with a group of local boys raking around the woods, suppose I thought I was one of them!!!! Bit like the famous five we were!! As you say, very happy carefree days.

i would love to have been one of the famous 5 ~ loved those books, would like to have been george! anyone pass the ginger beer? [i think thats what they had!]

I loved them too,it wasn't a proper Christmas or birthday,without 'The Famous five'..I loved all Enid Blyton books,and wished I still had them..mum gave them away to the childrens Hospital..I was really sad,but some other child would hopefully get pleasure from them.and yes,it was ginger beer they drank :o)

you can still get them in charity shops!
i didnt know what to read once i had finished enid blyton ~ did you see that program about her?

I never thought about the charity shops Sticki.Yes,I did see the programme about her,very good too.I think I progressed on to 'What Katy did'and 'What Katy did next'.I was an avid reader,but sadly forgotten most of them...I loved 'The Secret Seven' too..

you were very grown up ~ i think i read those but later ~ im not sure
yes secret seven was a favourite too ~ and beatrix potter
i liked heidi, call of the wild, swiss family robinson etc
probable favourite wind in the willows but not sure.

Oh Heidi,I had forgotten about her..lovely.I'm afraid I hated wind in the willows..tried to get through it a few times,but gave up in the end..Sadly,I don't seem to have the patience,or the time, to read books now,which is such a shame,as I still have a library card..but I wasn't a gardening fanatic then,or the owner of a laptop..so many more things to interest me..and going out ..:o))

no going out for me, read in bed!