Author Gayle

We’ve really enjoyed being back in Milan, especially at this time of year. By mid-December the Christmas lights are on, the little markets are bustling and there’s a definite wintry chill in the air. During this visit, as well as… Continue Reading →

People sometimes ask why we decided on Italy as our destination. As well as the obvious reasons such as culture and cuisine, we chose Italy because of its rich and diverse history. Technically this is a young country; it has… Continue Reading →

We almost missed Bergamo, despite the fact that the city is very close to Milan and the northern lakes. Then again there’s a lot to see in this part of Italy, which is probably why it took us so long… Continue Reading →

Visiting the doctor in Milan has meant basing ourselves in the city for a couple of weeks which, for us, is certainly no hardship – we love Milan. It’s also given us the opportunity to see a bit more of… Continue Reading →

It’s thought Shakespeare never travelled outside England, and yet the Bard set more than a quarter of his plays in Italy. There are all sorts of theories about why and how he did that, but it’s interesting isn’t it? One of those… Continue Reading →

After decades of writing for work, in recent years I’ve been having a go at writing that’s a bit more creative. It began with stories for children, the main character of which – Rosie – is shamelessly based on our… Continue Reading →

During our time in Italy we’ve accessed the local health system a number of times. The list of ailments for which we’ve had to consult the professionals is, fortunately, short and also varied: chest infection, allergic reaction, broken crown and,… Continue Reading →

The past few weeks have seen a series of destructive and deadly weather events in Italy – raging fires, wild storms and record flooding. People here talk a lot about the weather, and they’ll tell you weather patterns are changing…. Continue Reading →

In 2014 we attended the dawn service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France. The ceremony, 100 years after the start of the First World War, was incredibly moving. Scudding showers and a biting wind were forgotten as… Continue Reading →

As you see this is a story about Austria, and we will get there – eventually. But first, consider this; if you were asked to describe the German rail network, what might you say? Even if you knew nothing about it,… Continue Reading →