Leaving Livorno via SS1 Coast road to Rome , this old route very bumpy but not much traffic and only cost E5.20 all the way to Rome and they are slowly rebuilding this route.

very hot 35 C this route goes around the towns and only adds about 30 minutes .

then the E 6 to Naples and the last 25 miles over the mountain 1 hour, great roads? Lots of hairpin and steep drops ( a very small intro for us when we venture up the Alps ) to Amalfi then the IL Saranceno Grande Hotel.

What a place, views to die for,well if you lean over to far, stunning scenery , magnificent views across the bay to Amalfi and beyond. Private pool and beach.

the drive through the narrow and twisting roads great to hear the cars perform ,Porsche and Jag driving a treat so far and no damage ,fun for driver.

top gear moment.

Left Arles early for holiday makers 09.15 start into road works which were not signposted , but we followed the local out of town, wrong way up one way streets, reversing when ever we had to ignoring all traffic signs until we found the route out.

Fabulous view on the drive along the Cote d’ Azore, stunning to see this coast ,but it must be dune via the old coast road, it’s absolutely stunning but a long drive of which we have not the time for but we have been fortunate to have driven a few years ago.

lots of fun driving through the tunnels dropping gears and giving the cars some welly, great sounds and reverberating from the within , just like kids with new toys or top gear presenters,well Phillip and I enjoyed it!

Hotel in Livorno , Gran Duca and ok stop for passing through, just as well all leisure facilities were closed? Not the best position for tourist as in the industrial and harbour area but very historic dates back several centries , had a good meal in there restaurant .

Stay a few miles down the road stunning beaches for miles.

Had a lovely meal last night, sitting in the square and enjoying the ambiance .

Back in the hotel it is lovely , cool and quiet .

the room is rustic and built into the old city walls. Woke early and took and early dip in the pool, it is small but sufficient .

breakfast was taken in the square 7 euros very good.

visited the Arene , walked and viewed all levels, views over the city are marvellous can see Avignon which is only a few miles away.temperature 36 and rising , found a we’ll needed rest bar for beers and cooling off.

visited amphitheater and managed to sing on stage and do a scene from up Pompi , thankfully no one around to hear.

ambled back through park and cooled again in pool with regulation beers.

forgot a priority today, a replacement hat for Phillip,that was not the only thing blowing on this trip, but we have found a bargain stool and were spoilt for choice, so if you find this new one later perhaps it could also be returned

 Arrived in Arles, medieval city,Roman ruins and a few

English too

Graham and Pauline had lost Phillip and Helen on the route in, so on arriving in the city toward our hotel, hotel d’ Arlatan, we had to drive through the very tight and twisting streets of the old town to reach the hotel, best of all you could drive down the no entry streets to access the hotel garage, a must if you are coming here.

A rustic hotel was Pauline,s description, but as soon as we had booked in a beer by the pool was most welcomed .

arrived at Best western Lyon, good location near river and central .

wandered about in the evening to take in the city atmosphere , there was a gathering of people around the embankment area just having a great time, seems like a great city.

we all hab a half decent meal here steaks preferred then just ambled back to get in an early start for our journey to Arles.

Well we are on the road to Lyon , only had to wait at tunnel an extra hour but we have got away.

Long drive on the auto routes, great roads with very little traffic, we are just passing through miles upon miles of farmland as far as your eye can see. most of the drive pretty unexciting just cruising between 125—145 kph.

had a rest and drink stop on the ,that is where we found the elephant man. Post script. if anybody has found a new straw hat on the road to Lyon , could you please inform us as Phillip would appreciate it being return in the condition he left it, was last seen flying and rolling down the road.

up at 05.00am, new one for me but. Will be leaving good old ramsgate for foreign lands and a bit of a long haul to Lyon for the first stop over on the way to Amalifi, our main destination.

well looks like a fine start to our trip travelodge Ramsgate with views overlooking the harbour.

had our last english meal fish and chips and a beer, very nice too.

early to bed as tunnel crossing at 07.50 tomorrow.

Well getting to grips with bing maps and sorting route, still have a couple of weeks before we go and have some long trips install . Will look to do as much as possible off toll roads.