england

Correspondant: Mary Hiscox

Our first night here was wonderful. Dan the Man and Sharon, his wife, knew about a country gastronimique festival and we happily agreed to go with them despite being exhausted from the drive here on the autostrada in our little car. It was a small town celebrating their harvest. great food, wine, vino santo and local brandy. Shame the Thom/Woods had not arrived yet.

We had a good time at the Heidemann wedding in Ottawa, meeting old buddies plus John and Noelle who drove up from YYZ. Then, London was its usual dirty self (this is written by Mary who is not keen on London) but seeing Mark and Kate was good. Also visited Jane, Brian and baby Rosie outside London where they are all very happy and pleased that they are living back in the UK from Vancouver (were amused that Jane frequently phones her Vancouver doctor for advice on Rosie), walked Richmond Great Park and Wimbledon Common with Mark, took in the Millennium Dome (Govt sponsors each attendee to the tune of 90 pounds per visit and is thus boycotted by any self respecting Brit (not necessarily boycotted, just panned by any who review it and the expense to the country criticized by everyone in general who has to put up with the lack of maintenance in public amenities. Rant over. The Editor) and went with M & K on the London Eye which is terrific. Its an enormous ferris wheel with great views of London.

Then off to Nice staying with one of my school friends in a hilltop village near the city. They have a lovely little, ivy covered house with magnificent views and a swimming pool. It was warm there and we did do several great hikes, needing the pool for cooling down afterwards.

Now we are enjoying Carole and Chris company in Italy. We begin to compare Italy (where we have not really visited before) with France which we are familiar. You sure need to know some Italian. Without that, the currency is really difficult with all those millions and trillions of lire. We love the fresh pasta and the sauces are the best ever. Wine is good too... even the 'locale' wine which is $1.25 per litre. The challenge for the Italians now is to design a car that runs on wine (its a quarter of the price of gas). Have discovered 'young' gorgonzola which I love.

Did you realise that all Italians rush into the cafe in the morning, order an expresso, drink it immediately then rush out....they must have learned it from "Ed".