Mr Buckingham

Hi Parents and Friends,

Sorry for the slow start to the blog — everyone is well and safe! We encountered a bit of a major snag leaving Greece, as the ferry arrived four hours late, so we were four hours late leaving; we then lost another hour somehow during the voyage, and ended up arriving in Italy not at 3.30 in the afternoon but at 8.30, which meant that we missed all the trains which could get us to Rome that night.

Without too many options up my sleeve, I decided to wait it out and to try for the 3.50 am, yes, in the morning, train, which would get us to Rome by about 8am, so we didn't lose a day in transit.

Bunking down in the train station, we discovered that it closed up at 11pm, so that option failed; bunking down outside the waiting room, we discovered about 1am that Italian police don't allow this ('eeeezz eeeeemposssseeeeeeble!!'), so we got moved on, albeit very nicely and with obvious sympathy — fortunately just round the corner to some seats, where we could sit, but not lie down. Oh well, only three hours to go before the train....

So, long story short, we got to Rome (late, but only a little) and got some breakfast at the hostel before heading out for a loooooong day of walking. So, the boys are pretty tired, and I'm afraid I was too sleepy to post anything up last night — but, as you can see, we've been busy writing!! Most likely the posts will come in bursts, as I get the boys to write as we travel.

And, aside from the odd rash, blister or two, sun burn, heatstroke and general winter illness here and there, everyone is pretty chipper!! The weather in Greece was great, 35 degrees plus on most days, and the same is true for Rome. The monuments have been great, and in St. Mary Major, the first church we went into in Rome, we stumbled across a Latin mass with full incense and choir, and no fewer than four cardinals and a bishop in attendance!! I desperately wanted to stay and listen, but we had to move on — but rather special all the same!!

Anyway, Vatican tomorrow, so we're up early, and I need some rest!

Hope you're all well, and the boys continue to tell me how much they're missing you!! Please send them some messages!!

Warm fuzzies,

Warren B