The Roma Polizia are very friendly!

The police drive three-wheeled scooters, and are very chatty… especially patrolling the empty streets - suddenly central Rome was turned into a pedestrian's paradise as open thoroughfares… little did we know it was all prepared for a protest march demonstrating against the Mayor… maybe the Mayor should propose making Rome a traffic free zone permanently!

Charlie's first round bed!

Initial scepticism gave way to complete acceptance when he noticed the TV on the wall..

Final stop - Roma!

Charlie's ambition to mix with Romans was satisfied but he thought the city was in a sad state of disrepair! I seem to remember George W making a similar observation !

Selinunte, Sicily

Described as one of the most important Greek historic remains outside Greece!

Even the buskers have a flutter

Marsala buskers are very tame...

Guess who ordered tiramisu?

David Doyle and his favourite dessert - acres of it...

Venus of the Callipige (beautiful hips)

 Venus of the Callipige, a 2nd Century AD Roman copy of a Hellenistic original of the 2nd Century BC, housed in the amazing Museum Baglio Anselmi, an ancient winery for the production of the Marsala wine.

The museum also contains the oldest wreck of a Punic war ship, discovered in sea off the coast of Isola Grande near Marsala, and excavated in the early 70's. Probably sunk by the Romans as Lilybaeum was conquered in the Battle of the Egadi Islands in 241 BC.

Marsala - Marsa Ali - Harbour of God !

First Lilybaeum, splendidissima civitas, then Marsa Ali under the Arabs, and finally Marsala. Garibaldi started the Italian Risorgimento in the city of flowers, strawberries and pottery.

The Piazza Loggia, with the Cathedral of St Thomas Becket, and the Palazzo VII Aprile.

A city with Phoenician origins, with Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Spanish and English influences.

The Greeks brought wine here over 2,000 years ago. Discovered by Englishmen Woodhouse, Ingham and Whitaker, they fortified the wine to transport it and Nelson contracted the wine for the Royal Navy's daily rations.

Sciacca port, Sicily

As featured in 'Sicily Uncovered', to witness the landing of such delicacies, haggle with the fishermen, and then feast on fresh seafood at night, is what Sicily is all about....

Villa near Menfi

With the Waughs, Doyles and Christensens... Pool and beach, Sicilian seafood, pasta and gelato, limoncello and World Cup matches on Italian TV!

No spiders in the pool, only dogs !

Palermo, Sicily - where cultures collide

Fred - sorry to miss you in Paris

But we noticed you've "gone global", and it was great to see you on our return to Sydney, and to meet Claudia. Let us know what the movie is like!

A towering figure !

The only bridge without a padlock?

172 rue de Grenelle

And a nostalgic visit to the most elegant apartment - chez Whelan - in rue de Grenelle. 3rd floor with nine balconies!

That sticker-bitch! ..

I

Bryce - she's still the scourge of the Vespa

The new ICC - at Trocadero!

Dawn Chardonnal gave Charlie and Jack a guided tour of the new International Chamber of Commerce office on Ave President Wilson, Trocadero - and wow, what a roof terrace!

So many favourite Parisian spots - most involve food!

 Positano, in rue des Canettes, where the proprietor seemed to recognise us from ten years ago! Simply the best, hmmm.

 Le Procope, founded in 1686, and reputed to be the oldest restaurant still operating anywhere - and is open 24 hours a day!

 Charlie's favourite - the Matsuri sushi train - in rue Marbeuf, 8th arr. - where Dad regularly enjoyed a local work lunch, and where we compared appetites by counting plates!

 Cafe du Marche in rue Cler, 7th arr. - with Thomas, Maria, Harry and Lisa - exactly the same menu - even the Salade de Caesar, with its Tandoori Chicken - and the Bric de Chèvre - but many more tables. No, Michael, I didn't have the duck - but next time, only with you there too!

Padlocked bridges

The bridges over the Seine are all now adorned with locked padlocks left by lovers who have thrown the keys into the Seine.. of course the few combination locks seen suggest a more sustainable approach by those who insure their relationship with a potential for a new combination!

The Eurostars hit Paris!

Shopping, World Cup matches, boating in the Jardin de Tuileries, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre..