Travelling Shoes

I hate travelling. Anyone who knows me well can testify to this fact. Recently my husband suggested- once again- that he'd like to spend more time on the road. I seized the opportunity to expound the disadvantages of all the common modes of transport. I concluded that my favourite are: the bike, the horse and human feet.


 Perhaps in the future teleporting will become commonplace? Then I'll change my mind. I'll grab my bags and passport and shout 'Beam me up Scotty!' No more hot car journeys. No more frantic platform changes.  No more Ryanair!

Dream on! I write this sitting on 10B on a Ryanair flight from Naples to Manchester. Ahead of me lies the usual Manchester Airport bullying security staff ( lost a bottle of perfume amongst other things for ' passenger safety'). Then on again to Edinburgh. By tomorrow I'll be back in my own village. Two weeks with no travelling shoes. Bliss!

And yet this is not even my first journey this summer. And a number lie ahead. Different scenes. Different people. Different footwear.

Travel One: Tour of The Garibaldi Warship, Taranto

And for my first journey this summer it is not so much the case of finding the right shoes, but finding my sea legs! After three hour car journey to almost the heel of the boot - ( yes - and under the summer sun!) - we reached Taranto. Taranto lies on the coast of Italy between the Mar Grande (Big Sea) and the Mar Piccolo (little Sea). Bridges link the mainland to the old town, on a small island.  They open twice a day: 12 midnight and 5 am to allow large ships to pass out to sea.

It is such a large ship that we have come to see: The warship Garibaldi, Italy's first aircraft carrier. This is the fourth Italian navy ship to be named after the famous Italian general: Giuseppe Garibaldi.

 Proudly I can boast that I have a personal connection to this vessel as it was the ship my husband contributed to built, as a Navy Officer, in Monfalcone's shipyard.

To get all the apparatus working, Garibaldi, which is an aircraft carrier, has got 4 power stations and 6 generators, further than 4 turbines each giving a power of 25,000 HP to propel the ship to a max speed of 30 knots.Operations room, the hangar and the living spaces are spread over 12 bridges and the aircraft get to the flight bridge thanks to two special big elevators.


Impressive or what?! I spend a long time on the flight deck with the captain learning about the amazingly short distances that the planes need  for take-off on the ship's runway. I opt for easier task of steering instead!

Travel Two: Caserta Wedding at the Mulino Reali

For my second travel this summer I certainly needed very different travelling shoes! Unfortunately these were shoes that were not made for any method of travel at all- and certainly not for any of my favourite modes.

 After my long-suffering husband managed to bring the car closer, I managed to at least arrive with buggers on! However with a steady 35 degrees all afternoon,  the evening found me shoeless and in the water once again!

And what a relief that was, I can tell you! All thanks to the clever engineering of those famous Bourbons who had the architect Vanvitelli (see earler posts 'Fit For a King' and 'Sing a Song of Sixpence').

  He constructed a huge aqueduct to supply their palace, the Reggia di Caserta and the San Leucio complex with water coming from the foot of the Taburno,  38 km away!
 I can reassure you that it  is still very fresh when it arrives  from the springs of Fizzo.Translucent and fizzing, in fact, that I was sorely tempted to shed more than my posh peek-toe shoes!!!

Travel Three: Seaside Holiday: Montesilvano

After my third journey this summer, I can finally kick my shoes off altogether to enjoy long walks on the soft sands of Montesilvano.

And who wouldn't! Aurora's flaming fingers beckon you to the balcony. Coffee in hand you are soon watching the fishing boats come in as she dispels the darkness in a blaze of burning rose and amber.
 She continues to beckon until you are down on the beach itself. Sandals are soon off and you are enjoying the feel of the soft warm sand on your feet. Brexit blasts may be disturbing British shores but here its only the quiet purr of sand- seiving machines. Yes here its just Cinque Stelle and clean sand. Who would want to contemplate further travel at all??????

Travel Four: Village Sale in Killin, Perthshire

I must however contemplate one final journey this summer. Back on with the travelling shoes- and soon these will be replaced with sturdy wellies. Yes, you've guessed it: I'm back in Scotland again! And by early September we are already in autumn.
Adorning our favourite woolies like lucky talismen, we are soon back in our stride. Staring into the flames of our chimneas and stovies, we bemoan summers ruined by unreliable weather and unreliable pilots. Seriously , of course, we're welcoming the change of season. And what isn't there to love about fresh crisp mornings and long romantic walks through Van Gogh portraits!

What better place to experience the autumn canvas than the Scottish Highlands with all its glens and forests ablaze with colour!

 It's Open Perthshire Studios week and I'm here to help my family sell honey, produce and paintings. (See Instagram: highland _graphite)


We're drinking Italian Kimbo coffee and munching scones and raspberry jam. I'm trying to forget about the forthcoming two flights I need to face.

But face them I must!The travelling shoes are on my feet once more and I'm trying to cram a large pile of purchases into one small trolley and handbag.






Can I do it? Have I got a magic wand? Have the travelling shoes sprung wings?


No of course not! I have to cough up the £50 excess if I'm not to surrender my bargains. Once again I'm reminded of the myriad of reasons why I hate travelling! I resolve to become more environental friendly and cut my air miles.
I close my eyes and dream of the day when I can travel in a virtual glass of fizz. Hands Free, my baggage will already be there when I reach my destination. The only two things I need to bring personally are: a thirst for adventure and, of course, my travelling shoes.