The "Red Arrow" to Napoli

Today loomed over us like Vesuvius. Would our navigation skills get us by bus to Roma Centrale station? Would we cope with a day trip to Naples by fast train? Would we traverse Naples train station and catch the fabled Circumvesuviana suburban train to Pompeii and still be in possession of lives and wallets? Would our marriage survive hours of trekking over the world's greatest archaeological site?

We found Bus H and it took us to our train in good time. Catching the Frecciarossa was a dream - on time, FAST (298 kmh), comfortable and clean. (Mussolini must be smiling.) The way to the Vesuviana line was clearly marked and the service cheap and efficient. (Naples has probably saved money on paint - every circumvesuviana train and train station was gaily and generously painted by the local youth of the area.)

Community train painting initiative - also known as the Circumvesuviana

Pompeii is big and interesting. The traditional owners appear, by their attitude, to be the local dogs. We saw two employees actually on site once we went through the gate (that were not selling something). One was desultorily sweeping up rubbish in the Forum. The other had chosen a random corner to guard with his walkie-talkie. Everybody wandered around, mostly respecting the numerous ‘No Entry’ signs.

We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners...

It was nice to see plenty of gardens - it tends to make the place less like a ghost town. In parts you wouldn't have been shocked to see a tumbleweed roll past. There were a few signs put up by the Italians justifying the gazillions the international community gives them to save this site.

Olives and vineyards where there were once olives and vineyards. Half a mountain where there was once a whole one.

We spent a marathon 5 hours there. Lyn deserves the Matrimonial Medal of Honour for support of Ridiculous Spousal Obsessions. By 4.00 we were done up and it was back onto the particoloured rattletrap back to Napoli. Where the beautiful red train departed exactly on time.

Are we done yet?

It was great to hear from Katie who rang our mobile just as we were pulling into Naples.

Lyn will have her revenge tomorrow. Saturday is shopping day!