13 - 14 September - Rapallo

My birthday was truly memorable. The day started with cuddles.

Cuddles and giggles

It's pretty hard to beat being on the Italian Riviera, in accommodation that has a sweeping view down the Ligurian coast, sharing the day with your daughter, husband and three grandchildren.

John got up super early because he had to drop Nic off at the train station. Nic was heading to Manchester to watch his beloved Manchester United team play over the weekend. The rest of us were up early too (the kiddies wake about 6am). After breakfast we organised ourselves to walk down the hill (20min on narrow footpaths) complete with two pushchairs but we made it safely, pausing to admire some of the incredible mansions and properties on the adjoining hillside. 

We really liked this one!

With just two minutes to spare we jumped on the correct train and headed to small coastal settlement of Camogli, a little further to the north. It was another version of the Cinque Terre villages, just without the steep hill backdrop. Hence, it was beautiful, so gay and cheerful, full of people having fun, but not overwhelmed by tourists. We picked up a coffee and pastry and had a walk around before going down some steep stairs to the stony beach. The stairways proved rather an obstacle with two pushchairs. We stripped to hit the water, which was wonderfully warm. 

Fun on the train

Camogli waterfront, complete with plentiful fish

Beach time

With three kiddies getting hungry it was a quick turnaround back up to the boulevard, where we soon found a focacceria. Liguria is famous for its focaccia bread, and this certainly didn't disappoint. The layered pesto and goat's cheese was particularly tasty. 

Focaccia delight

Negotiating the train, then catching the right bus back up the hill was a feat in timing and juggling handfuls of kiddies, strollers and bags but we made it. The 30+ degree heat was pretty draining. The kids went straight to bed for a nap. Everyone was rather too exhausted to even go to the swimming pool later in the afternoon, so it was an earlyish night for all.

Saturday 14th

Our daughter's birthday. John and I had put streamers and balloons around the living room before we went to bed the night before, so it was quite festive when Bella and the kiddies got up early in the morning. We determined to head out again, this time just repeating our steps down the hill, then wandering around the streets of Rapallo. It's hard to get enough of the beautiful buildings, so many of which are decorated in 'trompe l'oeil'. 

Rapallo

Pretty lanes

We came across a playground at one end of the bay so the two girls played merrily for a while, letting the adults sit in the shade. Collecting focaccia and food from the supermarket before lunch, we made it with 30 seconds to spare for the bus. We are cutting our timing more and more fine as each day progresses, typically meaning the last few hundred metres are a mad dash. It's all good fun though and the kids are very cheerful about being rushed along.

Choosing the daily bread

Home for lunch and then naps for everyone except the two of us. We hit the pool afterwards, where John had a great time playing with the two girls. Heath also loves splashing in the water. Once the kids had had their meal and were in bed, we had a chance for a leisurely evening meal with Bella. The sunset going down over the Ligurian hills was outdone by the full moon coming up. What an amazing spot.