Extra update from Ruth

So far this holiday has been mostly about food and sun. Began with strawberries and cream by the lake in Regents Park while Jim was at Lords and moved on to watermelon and greek yoghurt in Zak. Now that we're in Italy no more yummy yoghurt so I've moved on to gelato ... mmmmm!!! In between eating I've been soaking up some rays either beachside or poolside with Rach while the boys play silly games and drink beer. Have finished 2.5 books and got a good start on my tan. Serious tan envy in Greece followed closely by kaftan envy ... I'll be buying myself one for the kiwi summer (in the meantime my loaner has been working well ... thanks Sue :)). Sadly I have yet to start the shopping ... the beaches were more attractive than the shops in Greece and although Rach and I had a bit of a browse in stores when we went to Zante it was mostly junk and soft toy turtles! Now that we're in Venice am planning to rectify the shopping deficit ... did a bit of a dry run on our wander last night and the murano glass jewellery is looking pretty good. Figure I have to purchase at least one pair of Italian shoes so that will be my focus over the next few days (in between sightseeing of course) ... will report back soon. P.S. Although you might think from my food descriptions above that I'd lost a few pounds ... unfortunately Greece also had copious amounts of two of my other food staples i.e. potato chips and diet coke ... ah well thats what holidays are for ... eating!