Having delivered cats Willow and Teddy to their owners in Brittany, and Hector to his family near Paris, Animalcouriers headed for the border with Italy. We stopped near Geneva to collect Yellow Labrador Bumble, who’s been staying with Rowena and her Golden Retriever Rusty. Bumble is travelling with us to rejoin Jude, Roger and family, who’ve gone on ahead to Athens where Roger is working in shipping.

Once across the border, we stopped in Milan to deliver Iorek to Nadia, who welcomed him on behalf of Isabella, who’s following on from Birmingham. The whole family turned out to greet him!

Then it was on to the picturesque town of Monterchi in Tuscany, to reunite bewhiskered black-and-white puss Tubbo with Ian and family. Monterchi boast the only known depiction of a pregnant Madonna — unfortunately we couldn’t stop to see it, but fortunately Wikipedia came up trumps.

This morning we drove to Naples where we reunited Beagles Bertie and Ted with their owner Robert, who’s on an attachment with NATO. These lucky dogs are just a couple of minutes from the beach, and have a nature reserve on their doorstep that contains some ancient ruins. With their noses, perhaps they’ll sniff out some antique treasures!

Rusty, Bumble's temporary host — any excuse to post a picture of a Golden Retriever!

Rusty, Bumble’s temporary host — any excuse to post a picture of a Golden Retriever!

Bumble behind, Rusty in front, Rowena in between

Bumble behind, Rusty in front, Rowena in between

Bumble enjoying an evening leg stretch

Bumble enjoying an evening leg stretch

A joyful reunion for Iorek with his owner's sister Nadia and other members of the family

A joyful reunion for Iorek with his owner’s sister Nadia and other members of the family

Man versus pizza. Courier Mike was beaten hands down!

Man versus pizza. Courier Mike was beaten hands down!

Wonderful Tuscan countryside

Wonderful Tuscan countryside

We just had to get closer to those sunflowers!

We just had to get closer to those sunflowers!

Tubbo safely delivered to Ian. You know it’s Tubbo from those magnificent whiskers!

Bertie and Ted delighted to be back with Robert

Bertie and Ted delighted to be back with Robert

We've driven round some splendid roundabouts on this trip. This one in France…

We’ve driven round some splendid roundabouts on this trip. This one in France…

…and this one in Italy

…and this one in Italy