Darling mini-Schnauzers Poppy and Rocco headed home with us to London after a summer in Italy.

They spent five glorious weeks in the seaside town of Sirolo, near Ancona, which is where courier Sarah collected them. It was a busy day on the Italian autopista as everyone was travelling back from the coast after their summer holidays, but Poppy and Rocco took it in their stride.

Courier Sarah and her charges made for the mountains, where the weather was pleasantly cooler, and took the Frejus Tunnel to France. The French roads were much calmer, and the mountain comfort stops and walks were both refreshing and breathtaking.

Irresistible Poppy and Rocco enjoying a grassy walk

Irresistible Poppy and Rocco enjoying a grassy walk

This bonded pair sharing a drink

This bonded pair sharing a drink

Beautiful Poppy

Beautiful Poppy

Handsome Rocco

Handsome Rocco

The imposing Central Massif

The imposing Central Massif

Even mountains seem to have moods!

Even mountains seem to have moods!

Poppy and Rocco settling in for an overnight stop in Lyon

Poppy and Rocco settling in for an overnight stop in Lyon

Rocco thought it was too early to get up the next morning...

Rocco thought it was too early to get up the next morning…

...but the promise of a lovely woodland walk with his sister soon changed his mind!

…but the promise of a lovely woodland walk with his sister soon changed his mind!