Hangin' by the pool

and that pretty much summarizes what we've been up to :).  It's Andrew doing this short update.

We clearly underestimated how much the first four weeks took out of us, and how tired we really were.  Greve in Chianti was an inspired choice however, as while there are heaps of things to do in the district (especially if you love wine), there's just as much fun to be had by mooching around the village, eating, drinking and swimming.  A few days ago we met a lovely Canadian couple who are traveling with their three daughters and the husbands parents.  Kate and Grace thought that this was amazing as they have kids around their ages and so last night during dinner the five of them took off and played while we all ate and chatted.  It was a very neat night and we also managed to bump into another two New Zealand couples !! Is there anyone left over there :)

Grace and Kate playing soccer with the Canadian children

Pizza night delight !

The kids have also spent a bit of time catching up on school work this week and I have finished a book !  I think that it's probably the first 'non work' book the I've got all the way through since my last holiday - 'Jack Reacher' is a bit of a dude and very easy to read ! We have had to down load a heap of other books for Grace as she has been enjoying relaxing and reading. Buying the Kindle was another great decision and Wendy also has her nose in the iPad reading away!

Yesterday we all went to Bernadette and Peter's marriage ceremony with them and their two children.  It was conducted by the Deputy Mayor of the village (he had his sash on !) and interpreted by the wedding planner that Bernadette had found to pull it all together.  It was a wonderful experience and not something that we ever expected to do while we were away; a real bonus for memories.

Wendy and the kids are still asleep but I will get them up shortly as we want to get into Florence today to have a snoop around and a wee bit of shopping :).