A STOP AT LAGO TRASIMENO, AND ON TO FLORENCE

Charles & Irene at restaurant on the River Arno, Florence.

In the middle of Piazza Signoria, Florence. Horse gets hungry too......

Our friends home, Don & Jodi Waller, Castiglione Del Lago

Florence (Firenze), the main Duomo in the center.

Castiglione Del Lago..... outer wall of the ancient city. The Ponte Vecchio in the background

We wanted Charles and Irene to meet friends that live in Castiglione Del Lago. Ex-Pats that moved totally over to Italy and are loving it. I'm sooooooo envious!. They bought this country place and remodled. A very cozy and comfortable place. We enjoy spending time with them there. A nice view of the lake too. We went into the ancient town on the hill and had dinner outside in the piazza. Next day we were on our way to Florence for a couple nights. We had reservations to get into the Academia to see the'David'. Since we had a lot to see in a short time, we then took the double decker bus for the whole city overview. A grand thing to do. Got off the bus and had lunch overlooking the city then on the bus to continue. Got off again near the Famous bridge, the 'Ponte Vecchio'.

AN EVENING WITH FRIENDS

The day before we left for Formia, a Navy League group was organized by Betty Reese, the European Pres., at our favorite restaurant. Was wonderful. As you can see above, it was a perfect setting with the islands of Capri, Procida and Ischia in view.

AS WE HEAD NORTH.......

Looking at the inside center of the Coloseum, Rome.

In the country at a favorite restaurant........ where we get quail.

One of the major hallways in the Vatican Museum on the way to the Sistine Chapel, Rome

In the Museum on the way to Sistine Chapel

A stairway to the lower original part of the Monte Cassino Monestary. What you see are artifacts found as they were rebuilding after the war.
A view in the center of the Monestary......Monte Cassino

Of course we had some bread and wine..... and olive oil (for the bread) before we went on the next jaunt of this trip.

We went up to our town of Formia and hit some of our favorite local spots, like a little restaurant in the country, then another day was Monte Cassino, and the train to Rome for a couple days.

SEPT-- ITALY, HERE WE COME

Our timing was perfect for the 'vendemia'.... and putting the grapes through the machine and into huge barrels to start fermenting.

From the vine to the barrel.......

When company comes, it's not complete until they see Pompei. It must have been a beautiful city.

Here we are on the Amalfi coast and stopping at one of our favorite spots. From the Hotel San Pietro with Positano in the background.

Part of Naples, going by an old fort wall up to what's known as Posilipo

FINALLY!!! After a year and a half back from living in Italy, we are headed back for a visit. Charles, who is with NOVACES and is responsible for Bob joining them, and Irene Mount took their 2 week vacation to come with us. They had never been there and had not had the opportunity to come over while we were living there. We wanted to show them around and show them 'our' Italy with only a touch of the 'tourist' places. After they left, we had 2 more weeks of enjoying our 'home away from home' with little reunions and local friends.

MONTEREY - LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY

Sir Stirling Moss and wife, Suzie, arriving for a book signing. Glad to get a special 'hello'.

Wow, I did get a pretty good shot of the cars. These are the Can-Am cars of the 70's.

Here I am (with wind blown hair!) with Sir John Surtees, and Brian Redman

In July we were part of the fundraiser for the NCWS (North County Warrior Support), called Thanksgiving in July, to start planning for the Christmas holidays for two families at Camp Pendleton. I got to co-MC it with our local radio celebrity, Sam Bass. A successful event, and lots of fun.

August was the yearly event, that we've missed for a few years, of the Vintage Races, and at Pebble Beach the Concourse D'Elegance of gorgeous old cars. We were at the track and seeing some long time friends.