Apologies for the radio silence but we’ve been having technical difficulties beyond our control 😉 Very relieved to be posting again. Here’s the very delayed end to our last trip back from Greece. We’ll be posting on our next huge trip round southern Europe in the coming days.
On arriving at the Italian port of Brindisi, we gave the dogs a good leg stretch. A friendly chap came to see what we were doing and asked if we had a ‘piccolo cane’ for him. Although we didn’t have a little dog to give him, he still presented us with a bag of fresh peas and flat-leaf parsley straight from his allotment — lucky us!
The generous allotment-holder we met in Brindisi
Maya out walking in Brindisi
Mara also enjoying the fresh air
Alfie looking good against a green and purple background
Link
Near Vesuvius we met up with Link, a large and handsome tabby cat with plenty of character. He belongs to Flora, who’s moved to London. Flora’s dad told us Link is missing her, and also that Flora’s mum felt that Link should go to London to keep Flora company.
Flora’s dad delivering Link — their journey started the previous night when they left Sicily by ferry
Birba
Young Beagle Birba is travelling with us to join Georgiana in Norfolk. It was quite a tearful handover from Georgiana’s mum, who’s already missing her daughter. It’s often a bit tearful when parents hand over pets belonging to their adult children who’ve moved abroad — not only has the child left home, now the pet has too!
Maria delivering gorgeous Birba
Nina, Kim and Dali
We collected this family of three super dogs near Rome. They’re on their way to rejoin owner Cristina, a vet, who’s relocated to London for work.
Kim, a black Heinz 57, with white American Staffie Nina
Bull Mastiff Dali — as well as affectionate, she’s playful — it’s quite a challenge playing with a 50kg dog on a lead!
South of the Alps
With our new passengers all on board, we spent the night in the north of Italy, at Tenuta Variselle, a great example of an agriturismo hotel in Roppolo, just south of the Alps.
Great dog-walking opportunities — and lovely patterns formed by the rooftops, which caught courier J’s eye
Beautiful blossom
A closer look at these intricate blooms
A fine sight — a row of wine barrels!
We saw this intriguing sign on the outside of an old concrete wine vat. No longer used for wine, it’s been moved outside to store water for using on the garden during the summer months.
The resident Golden Retriever came to check us out
Maisy out walking in the Italian sunshine
Maisy enjoying new scents
Kevi taking the air
One of the dogs spotted this blackbird fledgling but was good enough to leave it alone
Nina enjoying the view this morning…
…and fascinated by horses — perhaps she hasn’t seen any before
Matilda and her wide eyes!
Tippy a bit less keen on being photographed
A very relaxed Link
Grom, who almost has a milk moustache!
Floofy ginger-and-white Persian Carmen
Snowy-white Gery, who loves a tummy rub
A local on guard
Spring flowers — wonderful in white…
…pretty in pink…
…riotous in red and yellow
Butterfly in the morning sun
Resident hound hoping for a breakfast treat
What a nice variety of pets, local feathery friends, flowers, blooms and you even got a butterfly!
Yes, the variety is rather good – Spring does bring out the nature photographers in the couriers!
O I bet that was a super tour… some pups wear the same hairstyle like dad’s rival Rod :o) Maybe they sang Sailing while driving to italy?
Oh they sang, just not sure what tune it was 😀
The pictures are just beautiful.
The sun does bring out the best.
Beautiful canines and felines…and gorgeous scenery! Safe journeys!
We do like to share the great places that we’ve visited!
Oh such glorious photos of some most happy travelers…….the countryside is gorgeous – flowers popping in Spring and lots of reunions just around the corner!
Hugs, Sammy and Pam
We’re lucky to get to see some gorgeous places on our travels. The dogs seem to like them too 😉
I agree with everyone – beautiful photos.
Thanks Jovina – the sun sure helps the photography.
Oh your photos! That rooster is fantastic! Wonderful seeing you up and posting again!!!
Thanks Marty, it was a frustrating time! We love the rooster too!
Such beautiful places and beautiful travellers, Annie! Good to see your posts back again. Yes, to see a child leave and then the pet too must be quite hard for the parents.
Thanks Lavinia. Yes, we do have some very tearful departures after pets have waited with parents. Totally understandable.
So amny luvley doggies an kattss! mee reelly admires Grom Kat; hee iss so-o hansum! An LadyMum luvss Matilda. Shee used to feed a kittygurl named matilda where shee used to live so that name iss speshell to her 😉
Maya an Birba are luvley doggiess! Wee luv readin about efurryone’ss travelss. An yur Spring there iss gorgeeuss. Ourss iss gloomy an gray an nuffin flowerin yet 🙁
An thee butterfly iss beeuteefull. Fankss fur sharin such a luvley trip with us.
***paw kissesss*** Siddhartha Henry xxx an {{{hugs}}} LadyMum
We were blessed by some gorgeous pets on the trip. Hope spring arrives with you soon 😀