Our journey almost began with disaster when I managed to buy a parking ticket for the wrong car park at Kings Lynn station and then had to wait for a space in the section for which I had a ticket.  Overcoming this, we had a safe journey to London, a pleasant meal at Carluccios in St Pancras station and a sleepless night in a Travelodge.

This morning we began the day with a glass of Champagne at Searcys Champagne Bar before boarding the Eurostar to Paris from St Pancras.

We are now on the TGV from Paris to Turin, a five hour journey which will drive just after eight o’clock tonight.

I hope that we get a better night’s sleep tonight before we set off to Montecatini!

Next week Pearl and I embark on what we hope will be the holiday of our lives – so far!

Because for 17 years we took our two pedigree Persian cats (Peaches and Pebbles) with us on holiday, we have not spent a great amount of time out of the country.

We both love the idea of travel, the lack of stress by not flying and good Italian food.  So a train tour of Tuscany and, as a bonus, a few days in Venice will be an ideal holiday.

Watch this space!