Consistent Livin'

God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault. You're certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God's work among you, are you? I said it before and I'll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don't eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

Romans 14: 17-23 (The Message)

This passage has been on my mind today... There is a lot in it that's worthy of my attention and action. I don't like people who try to tell me what to believe... whether they are Evangelicals or Evolutionists... I don't like being imposed upon! As a result I tend not to impose my beliefs on others. You get my faith as part of the whole of me but I'm not going to ram it down your throat. If you aren't interested then... hey... I'm cool with that! Jesus works for me... and He'll work for you if you give Him a chance... but I have to be sensitive to the fact not everyone is on the journey and I have to live consistently so as not to put people off from joining the travellers on this journey. I am not going to say anything that will interfere with the exchange of love. I love people just because... not because of any agenda or anything... its not about a sales pitch for me... I love people just because they are worth loving. I have to protect this love... and hope I have proved myself worthy of the love by my actions.

Hope this makes sense?!?

Technorati Tags: faith, church

New toys

Got a couple of new toys delivered today ::

First off is the iTrip Auto - bought a new car recently. Downgraded the MPV we had to a smaller car (a Vauxhall Meriva) - wanted a car suitable for the whole week unlike the Mazda that was a guzzler through the week.

Anyway... one modern gizmo that I didn't want was a CD player because I was happy with the tape connector for the iPods. Unfortunately, it came with a CD player so I needed another solution for hooking up for tunage. Had a look at Harmon Kardon's solution but it would have involved modifying the car... so I went for Griffin's iTrip Auto. Basically, it is powered through the lighter and transmits my tunage from the iPods (4g and nano) over magical cosmic waves to my new car's stereo. It was really simple to set up and works a treat on 87.9 FM without any interference. Nice piece of kit!

The other toy I received today was a replacement for the harddrive that got damaged at my work. My boss kindly agreed to replace it. I paid a wee bit extra to get the LaCie Brick - its a 40gb USB2 external hdd designed by oro-ito that looks remarkably like a lego brick. It works well and looks good with my iBook (its white). I doubt I'll use it at work but will keep it handy. Another sweet piece of kit.

Technorati Tags: tech, toys

New music :: Draumar Um Kalt Sumar

While over in Edinburgh, the Soos introduced me to a band called ISAN - He let me hear some tracks and I love them (post more on them later)

Anyway, found this fab compilation that includes ISAN... Its on Sutemos - another great electronica netlabel - and contains some other fab artists including Am-Boy and IJO. Its chockablock with the kind of mellow, downbeat, eloquent electronic soundscapes that I just adore just now. This is what they say about it...

Um Kalt Sumar - in a wonderful Icelandic language means Dreams About Cold Summer. If to be sincere we don‘t really know why we are dreaming about cold summer...It might be because it is unusual but still very beautiful - same as Iceland itself. In spite of the fact that none of us has ever been to Iceland we are felling unaccountable admiration towards this small, cold and mean island. We are so crazy about it that we even decided to dedicate our latest release to it. That is why its name is in Icelandic language (thanks to Steini). That is why its gallery is full of exceptional Icelandic scenery. That is why this music is full of those feelings that will tell you about this wonderland. About its clear, cold sky and unordinary lines of its landscape. We want to sincerely thank all of you who helped us in turning this idea into a little miracle. We also would like to thank all of you who were not afraid of waiting for so long.

We hope that you will feel like standing under the cold sky of Iceland at least for a moment while listening to this compilation. That would be more than enough for us...

As it says above... included in the ZIP file is some fab art... one pic for each track... makes for a nice effect when listening to the compilation. The graphics are by the talented Kioskas, Synthetiq, Nina, No_Joy, Modifikator, and Sleeper; and the photos are by Katja Orsega. Love it... even though I prefer hot summers.

Check it out :: ((link))

Technorati Tags: netlabels, electronica

Michelangelo's David

While in Italy we picked up a pretty unique present for some special people :: My Dad... The Soos... and Bobbito...

This present is an apron with Michelangelo's famous work of genius :: his sculpture of David. Although, this is art... not smut... I have posted the full pics on Flickr :: ((here))

Now I need to get my Dad and the Soos to pose...

Thanks Bobbito for being a good sport.

A More Satisfying Life...

My pal ((Pernell)) over at the Freeway... posted this and I thought I'd expand it here::

According to Time Magazine, here are eight steps toward a more satisfying life:

1. Count your blessings.
2. Practice acts of kindness.
3. Savor life's joys.
4. Thank a mentor.
5. Learn to forgive.
6. Invest time and energy in friends and family.
7. Take care of your body.
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardship.

I would also add:

1. Explore deep spiritual practices.
2. Invest in | live with | work with the poor.
3. Get involved in your neighbourhood.
4. Express love | compassion | grace regularly.
5. Laugh hard... alot.

What would you add?

Well... Personally I would add:

1. Take time to dance... whether it be a samba or a Dashing White Seargent at a community Ceilidh or even nodding your head to some live music... move!
2. Spend time on your own... Don't be scared of the silence.
3. Read... Read regularly... make it a habit. Read the Bible... Read Dan Brown... Make time to read.
4. Listen... Listen to God... Listen to your family and friends... Listen to trusted advice... Listen to music and audiobooks! BUT don't listen to loose lips and advice you never asked for.
5. Watch Scooby Doo with your we'ans.

What would you add? Leave a comment or copy the post... pass it on...

Lynden David Hall

Went into Glasgow this afternoon... to grab some food and then go see Cars - the new Pixar film. We checked out the Cancer Research UK shop on Sauchiehall St - it has vinyl!!! Picked up the other side by Lynden David Hall on vinyl and have to say... I love it.

However, it is bittersweet :: my heart is heavy when I consider the fact that he died on St Valentine's day, this year, of complications relating to cancer. We have lost another talented individual.

Support cancer charities... Do your bit... and check out Lynden David Hall's beautiful musical legacy.

Technorati Tags: soul music

Lifestyle Simplicity :: another perspective

One of the most common cries of city dwellers is that they are too busy to enjoy life. Yet much of our leisure time is spent doing things that do not feed our souls. Grocery shopping takes priority over spending time with family. Watching movies takes priority over conversation with friends. Neither our leisure time nor our working lives contribute significantly to the nourishment of our souls, the development of human community.../

God has blessed human beings throughout history. From the calling of Abram to the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has promised to bless his people. While God’s blessing is not restricted to material things, material prosperity has often been held up as a sign of God’s blessing upon his people.../

If God is concerned about our economic wellbeing, then so should we be. Unfortunately, in our society, our economic wellbeing often assumes too prominent a place in our thinking, with the result that we turn wealth into an idol. Rather than being acknowledged as a gift from God to be shared with all of humankind, wealth becomes something we pursue for our own ends, forgetting both God and neighbour.../

I found Dani's article on ((lifestyle simplicity)) on the rubicon to be extremely challenging and thoughtprovoking for where I am at. I suggest you read the article and think it through :: ((link))

Technorati Tags: church

The Brothers Brick

Creativity in all forms should be celebrated... especially if it involves LEGO

((the brothers brick)) is the blog of the Dreamcatcher (their minifig interpretation of Mr Jorge made me smile). Check it out for loads more minifigs... including Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, and characters from Final Fantasy. A real treat for the ol' eyes!

Who need's Kubricks when you can make your own. Well done Andrew and Josh in Seattle!

Technorati Tags: lego, blogs

Pele dos Santos :: the minifig...

Pele dos Santos
Originally uploaded by Dunechaser.

Found this on Flickr by accident and just love it! It is so in keeping with this weekend.

Pele dos Santos aka Seu Jorge from The life aquatic with Steve Zissou

Sweet - If you read this... thanks Dreamcatcher!

UPDATE
Here's a link to the blog entry that relates to Pele :: ((link))

TrocaBrahma :: Wow! 2

Check out ssoosay.com's pics, vids and commentary on last night's shenannigans!

Videos :: ((YouTube))
Pics :: ((ssoosay.com)) and ((ssoosayav.com))

Good stuff bro!

Technorati Tags: brazilian music, edinburgh

TrocaBrahma :: Wow!

What an event... This was more an indoor Brazilian contemporary music festival than it was a concert in the Usher Hall. The vibe was sweet with people moving all around... without any hassle or crush. I am grateful to the Soos for his kindness in hooking this up... It was great to hang with him... SSoosay.com... and the Dunc (all pictured) and be part of this event.

When we arrived Simon Hodge was on the decks playing some supersweet contemporary Brazilian and Latin tunage. Would consider checking him out again... I think he is local. Some capoiera dancers entertained us... busting some fine moves to the beats. Truly awesome!

First act on was the saviour of UK hip-hop :: Sway :: he got the crowd going with shout outs and a bizarre freestyle about the Usher Hall and a bra that some lassie threw at him... Funny! He is talented... and I managed to get an album sampler from him (Dunc got it signed to headphonaught which was way cool)

Sway then left and Instituto from Brazil came on... OMGoodness! These guys rock (well they samba as one of the rappers said but they rock!!!)

Their music is extra large... a wall of pure rhythm... with some sweet bass, rhodes and guitar... and a two pronged rap attack. The sonic impact was huge. They were very good - going to check them out when I can...

Sway came back on after a short set... and it was if they took things to eleven - Bam! three rappers... fat beats... wow!


After a short break with more beats from Simon Hodge and movement from the capoiera dancers, a supergroup of talent came on. Drumagik doing what they do behind some laptops (I think they were Macs but the guys had taped over the Apple signs)... Mark de Clive-Lowe on keyboards... Soweto Kinch on sax... Bembe Seque and Dynamite MC (no relation to Rebel MC or Young MC) on vocals.

It is important to get over the fact, here and now, that the Drumagik twins look like Mister Bean - they do! but they don't move like him.

The set had the feel of a big improv in the hands of the Drumagik chaps... which was, at times very good and at others a bit loose... It would have been good to have cut the talent loose... maybe some short sets from the main players, instead of this supergroup... I was disappointed not to hear more from Mark de Clive-Lowe, for example, he seemed a bit wasted in the mix.

When it worked however... it worked! Seeing Bembe Segue dance was tremendous - she can move!

All in... it could have been tighter... but the rhythm section did a tremendous job pulling in all the parts. Will check them all out too.

At this point it was over to Gilles Peterson to bridge the gap before Seu Jorge - I was actually disappointed at the low key way he DJ'd... I wasn't sure people got the fact that a music legend and global tastemaker was playing for them. He should have been in the centre of the stage... at least so I could have taken a better pic of him. He is the Don! His first set was flawless with old and new Brazilian music in the mix.


Seu Jorge then came to the stage with his band and ripped it up! He was amazing! I was expecting more acoustic work... and he did that later... but the opening assault was pure samba joy. Truly special.

He is a fab showman... and his band are the best of the best too. I wasn't familiar with the songs but I definately need to get his album. He was a different class.

He did some of the David Bowie tracks such as Ziggy on his own and the response he received was tremendous.

All in... he was the star of the show and deserved the top bill. I was glad to have been there and am extremely grateful to the Soos for making this happen. GP closed the show with more tunes... but this was 0130hrs and we were tired. Need to catch a GP set sometime.

Great night!

Technorati Tags: brazilian music, edinburgh

Be thankful... and bless His name.

Psalm 100 :: A Psalm of Thanksgiving...

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100 (New King James Version)

I woke up this morning just so grateful to be alive... and living today. Sure there is a lot of hell on this earth just now :: death, destruction, despair... but the presence of the Lord and His spirit is here... which means their is a lot of heaven too :: life, creativity, hope.

I crashed at the Soos' pad... Went out to see the TrocaBrahma event last night and was blown away (more on that next) - what inspired me was macro: the crowd... the acts... but also micro: the Soos and our friends.

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing Olly and the we'ans later today... and am glad I can spend time in the Soos' company just now... I just feel alive at these thoughts.

I am blessed with so much love and friendship... and am filled with hope and creativity and love... Heaven is here - right here... right now... and I just want to say that I am thankful to the Lord, and I bless His name... For the He is so good!

Music in Jesolo

One of the things I noticed most about Jesolo was the lack of music... Music wasn't really a part of their world - people weren't walking about like iPod zombies or booming bad house music from their cars. Sure there were some sweet clubs and most trendy bars / clubs / cafes had DJs but they weren't as intrusive as over here.

There was only one music shop in Lido di Jesolo... and, as you can imagine, I spent sometime in there... with little to show for it.

I was looking for something Italian... not opera or anything... just some sweet soulful contemporary electronica.

I finally picked up an off-the-wall compilation of remixes called :: ((electrojova - Buon Sangue Dopato)) :: I don't know much, if anything really about it - I took a chance and it paid off. Basically, there are a number of sweet electronica / house remixes over Italian rapping. It sounds like a terrible idea and is a bit of a shock at first... but it is a definite grower. Click on the link above to hear more. You'll be surprised, especially by the remixes from Alex Neri and Planet Funk. Could be something here.

In an open air flea market / antique fair, I picked up a couple of CDs :: Non Zero Sumness Plus One and The Illogical Consequence by Planet Funk - they are based in Naples and did one of the remixes on the Electrojova album. They play some sweet soulful electronica...and sound great. Picked up both their CDs for €15 which was nice. I recommend you check them out - their track Chase The Sun is very familiar but I can't quite place it.

Lastly, I picked up The Fountains Of Paradise by Loop Guru for €5... This album has nothing to do with Italy at all... I just took a risk with this one... and again it paid off. The Fountains Of Paradise is a deeply spiritual piece of ambient electronica that has an other-worldly feel about it. Beautiful.

All in... some good hunting! Check them out.

Technorati Tags: tunes, italy

Women are like tea bags...

Women are like tea bags
Originally uploaded by iamshimone.

Our holiday photos...

Wow
Originally uploaded by Headphonaught.

...are now on FLICKR.

Check them out here :: ((link))

Enjoy.

Wee Emma's blog

My wee cousin, Emma, has started blogging. Check what she has to say here :: ((Wee Emma's blog))

This is not my house..!

iToilet & ToiletBook Pro
Originally uploaded by GeoffMyers.net.

This isn't a pic from our loo... We don't have a MacBook Pro... yet!

Thanks to TUAW and Geoff Myers for this.

places and spaces in Jesolo

Found some amazing places and spaces while in Jesolo...

First off is this wee shop that had a fantastic range of Hello Kitty merchandise. Could have spent a fortune... some sweet stuff! Dayna picked up a superlovely HK bag for her P3 year. Like no other in her Primary!

Afterwards, my Stussy radar brought me to this wee boutique :: Hot Space Basico :: they were big on Stussy and Paul Frank... and had some sweet sneakers like limited Nike Air Force 1s and Air Stabs... the ones you only see in Hypebeast.

The cafe / bars were hot too... This one :: Sugar Cafe :: was open air and had a DJ who played sweet soulful dance music late into the night.

Another space was the fab Manja who also hosted some sweet DJ nights / residencies... along with good food and a laidback ambience.

Jesolo is a happening place. In fact, the super club :: il Muretto :: had a fab line up published with some big names such as Pete Tong, Miss Kitten and Alex Neri; coming to play their sets. We never got to check it out... couldn't with our we'ans... but it was listed 5th in a recent top 10 best global clubs in Mixmag... and they were hosting a huge beachparty with Fat Boy Slim on the 6th August.

Nice place to be.

In fact, I liked their approach to a night out... The locals were responsible drinkers - we never witnessed any drunkeness or bad behaviour... even though alcohol was readily available. Different class there than in GB. Better class!

Technorati Tags: italy

Quotes from [the Emerging Church]

I was inspired by The Emerging Church by Larson and Osborne while on my hols. Over the next week or so I am going to post some quotes that I found particularly thoughtprovoking for where I am on my journey. Let's get some discussion going...

The Wesleys, in their radical obedience to Jesus Christ, let the contemporary Christ express Himself through them in new words and forms. But what have so many generations of the followers of the Wesleys done? They have sanctified the words, ways, methods, and tunes of the Wesleys. Tragic!

If Charles Wesley were to return today, he would doubtless scrap his old songs and write new ones. John Wesley would probably not hold "camp meetings". Rather, he would find new ways to evangelise, recruit, teach, and train Christians, ways based on the cultural and sociological and technological pressures and opportunities of the present. To be 20th century (21st ???) Christians in the tradition of the Wesleys, we ought not copy their words and deeds, but emulate their spirit and style and sense of adventure. In their day they heard the great, unchanging God say again, as He said ot His faithful people almost three thousand years ago, "Behold, I am doing a new thing. The old is passed away; do you not perceive it?

Page 86

My reality within the Salvation Army is one where I see people following a course of action in worship and proclaimation that is becoming increasingly irrelevant to present society. We have sanctified the words of the Founder and his peers... we copy his words and deeds without necessarily following the spirit in which they were intended. What would Booth do now, if he was here? What songs would he use to proclaim the good news? I really doubt it would be brass band music or stuffy choir music... Personally, I think it would be raw and soulful and meaningful to ordinary people... something with a funk and a breakbeat... something with passion. Think about the Manchester Passion and you see where I am coming from... even Angels!

Technorati Tags: emerging church

My 1,000th Post

For my 1,000th post on the ol' Nanolog... I'd like to post a pic of Olly and say LOVE YOU, HONEY!!! I am extremely grateful for your company on life's journey.

I'd like to thank God for His blessings and for the opportunities He has presented with the Nanolog. This whole blogging malarky has really changed me for the better :: I can represent the whole of me... there is no secular / non-secular divide as its ALL GOOD!.. It has also enabled me to meet some amazing revolutionary people who think about God and music and stuff in similar ways to me... and get closer to my existing friends too.

So, please, let me say thanks to E V E R Y O N E who has supported the Nanolog since September. Means the world!

Transport in Lido di Jesolo

No trip to Italy is complete without witnessing the grace and poise of an APE 50 3 wheel mini-truck thing. Love them. I think a place in Glasgow had one recently... great marketing idea! decal the slowest machine on the road.

Loads of bikes on the road too. Some sweet Ducatis etc... This Honda Goldwing with sidecar was my fav. Not sure it can be called a bike, though... it was huge and I'm sure it had its own microwave or something.


Bikes were everywhere... the best form of transport supported by both young and old alike. Loved this Schwinn bike... pure grace. My kind of ride.

Expected to see some sweet Vespas and this one was gorgeous! Pure paninari class.

Lastly, a gratuitous photo of a Ferrari - the chap who owned it actually looked like Thomas Magnum... except without the shorts.

Technorati Tags: vehicles

Departure Lounge :: Edinburgh - 28th July

If I weren't heading out with the Soos to the TrocaBrahma event... I would have probably tried to check out ((Departure Lounge)) to see Digital Jones on Mr Haggis' recommendation. They played the last ((Boogaloo Bothy)) and I quite fancied hearing them.

Turns out Departure Lounge has a music policy that I could get behind...

The Departure Lounge music policy is as simple as it is eclectic. We play good new music from around the globe. Over the last few years we have seen an explosion in innovative artists who aren't afraid to fuse traditional music from places such as Brazil, Argentina, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia with cutting-edge electronic production techniques and other musical forms such as jazz and drum'n'bass. What you get is a new spectrum of sounds emerging which escape categorisation, and just sound, well, good.../

So jazz is colliding with flamenco, bossa nova with drum'n'bass, tango with breakbeat and African percussion with broken beat - and the result is a diverse and exciting range of sounds which feed the mind and soul as well as the feet.

Sounds like my cup o' cha.

Speaking of Mr Haggis... He has released a 12 minute excerpt of a piece of music he compiled for a friend's wedding. It is lovely and on the nano already. Check it out here :: ((link))

G'on yersel Paul... Loving it! Can't wait to hear the full 1 hour track.

Technorati Tags: music, edinburgh

Churches in Lido di Jesolo

When we were in Italy we saw some amazing "normal" ((ie not grand basilicas like St Mark's in Venice)) church buildings...

I have to say the church above was my fav. I am grateful to Olly for this photo - we only saw this church while in the local bus... and boy did the Italian bus drivers drive like Otto in the Simpsons.

It has no front wall... completely open to the elements and to the community. What a fantastic concept and a tremendous metaphor...

This is the main church in Lido di Jesolo. It has an amazing presence just off the main street and stands proudly with its elegant design.

We were very fortunate to be able to take a photo of the altar and the artwork surrounding it. Truly awe inspiring. I believe we need to capture art and creativity within the church as a means of informing and inspiring people... although we need to remember that Jesus wasn't European, nor was He a member of a 70's rock band.

Lastly, this church was in another part of Jesolo. It stood majestically on the main street. Simple but lovely.

Technorati Tags: church

Organic

Organic
Originally uploaded by he2012.

Thanks to JD for sending me a link to this pic. Picks up on a post I did a while back on Organic Church. Like it.

For Dayna :: Higglytown Heroes

Dayna is just like me in many ways... she was desparate to get online too. She found this on the Disney site - its a make-your-own Higglytown Hero generator. I like the cartoon... its sweet when we recognise the hero in ordinary folk... especially the vocations like Doctors and Vets and Firefighters.

Check out Dayna's renditions of Olly and me ::

Olly is the super-gardener...

... and I am the Starbuckaroo :: fearless coffee taster!

Make your own Higglytown Hero here :: ((link))

Technorati Tags: fun

TrocaBrahma

HUGE thanks to my man... The Soos... for getting me a ticket to the TrocaBrahma event at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.

Gilles Peterson (my fav DJ) is doing a set as well as a live set from...

Seu Jorge (the chap who played Pelé Dos Santos in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou). He plays some sweet, kind of weird, David Bowie covers on the Soundtrack... Love his sound.

UK hip-hop saviour Sway is going to be there as are Drumagick... 7 hours of the sound of now - I so can't wait!!!

Thanks bro for keepin' watch for the best of the best... You my man!

U P D A T E

GP has recorded 6 podcasts to support the tour and his compilation. Looks supersweet. Some cool interviews and some exclusive sessions. Its downloading as I type - check it out.

Technorati Tags: brazilian music

Time Out :: New Music :: Flicka

When I got up this morning (shows I was that knackered after the trip - I didn't go online immediately upon my return) I checked my sage RSS reader plug-in for updates. Everything went red... even Alex Young aka Milieu - he's been a bit busy lately and hasn't been updating. Hopefully, he's working on more tunes like his fab album Aurora Borealis!?!

Anyway, when Milieu recommends some tunage, I always check his recommendations out. He's the tastemaker who switched me onto netlabels.

Check out this 3 track release on ((TMBase.RO)) by Makunouchi Bento, SelfMadeMusic and Bleep entitled Flicka - 3 different tracks representing the sound of now. The download is about 30 mbs and well worth it - its on my borrowed Nano already.

Check it out here :: ((link))

Technorati Tags: netlabel, electronica

Takin' the bus

Travelling through the night and into the day and then through the night again to get where you are going is hard... hard... hellish hard work. I have to say upfront that the we'ans were brilliant on the way there and good on the way back. It was long for Olly and I... so we didn't expect that much from D & M.

Keeping occupied was critical... Between us we had 3 iPods, 2 Shuffles, 2 GBAs, 1 PSP and a host of books and mags for the trip... and put them to use.

Olly prepared a couple of totes with colouring books and games and stuff for the girls which kept them brilliant on the way there...

It really wasn't that bad... Especially when you could see Mont Blanc (the place, not the pen) up close and personaly.

Don't get me wrong, it could have been a whole lot better. The coach firm we were travelling with would lose their license if they dared transport livestock... but, for some reason, buses without air con in 38+ degree heat were acceptable. In addition, they seemed to be working to the time in Sydney, Australia. Oh and 10 mins is OK for a pee-pee but not for lunch!

Olly doesn't fly... Its her kryptonite... I have to say after surviving swollen ankles, back ache and a dead bum... the threat of plunging to your death from thousands of feet does actually seem appealing.

But then you wouldn't see Mont Blanc up close and personal... unless you were hurtling towards it.

Technorati Tags: italy, travel