Details of our travel

Mount Vesuvius at dusk

Ok folks, now that I finally have some downtime I can fill everyone in on our comings and goings over the last twenty-four hours. It has been crazy, fun, tired and hectic all rolled into one beautiful cannoli. (Argh...I can't believe I used such a terrible metaphor. )
Anyway, our flight from Logan to London was fairly uneventful, but sleep proved elusive for several of us. I did notice some of the kiddos with mouths open and heads back snoring (Tyler, Cody and Ms. Mullis). I was in a broken seat that would not recline, while the British traveler in front of me had no problem going into full recline mode. What is the protocol for that type of thing? Does one put a knee in the back of the person?
Upon landing in London, we had a bit of a scare when Angela could not find her passport, it did turn up much to her shagrin..in her bag. Svea spied some nice items in the airport shops, and bought a few.
Our flight to Rome left two hours later and was uneventful except for the fact that MY luggage somehow was left behind. I did pack an extra pair of pants, tee shirt and unmentionables in my carry-on so I will be prowling for some good bargains tomorrow at the Naples Archaeological Museum. Hopefully they have some clothing items. The kiddos have been good about chipping in with shaving razors and contact lens wash for me. (Janica and Jilly are the hygenic supply queens!)
I will be gathering up my luggage in Rome on Tuesday, I just don't trust the Italian characteristic for lack of punctuality or efficiency in getting my bags four hours south to Sorrento by then. I would rather gather it in one spot than miss it on its way south when we head north...lol.
On our ride south we passed Mount Cassino, a beautiful monastery used by Benedictine monks since  the early 600AD's. Info on the Abbey

Monte Cassino Today

 The German army used the abbey in the Second World War as a defensive position to block the road to Rome and deny it's use by the Allies. The American air-force bombed the abbey to full destruction in 1944 and it was later fully rebuilt to exacting specifications after the war. It is a beautiful site as it sits on a spur of the Apennine Mountains. Off in the distance Mt. Vesuvius loomed over the landscape.
Tomorrow..onward to Naples and we will be doing some Tarantella in the evening. Ciao!

Monte Cassino in 1944