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From Northern peaks to Southern volcanoes - July 2016

Having been held up in transit flying back from Peru, Jo and I were relieved to arrive in time for the FIM event at Erba, near Como in North Italy. I very much appreciated receiving the Legend of Rock Award, and it was great to meet fans as well as our friends who took us to a restaurant afterwards in a beautiful part of the Alpine foothills. My thanks to the FIM organisers and to pal Mino for all his help.

The following day we travelled by train from Milan to Naples. The following day the Mayor of Naples gave me another award. I then attended an event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Italian Genesis magazine Dusk as well as a couple of books written about the band. Once again, it was a joy to meet fans and have the chance to talk and answer questions. Thanks to Massimo, Mario and Giovanni for all their help with the event.

Naples was as atmospheric and lively as ever. Dusk Editor and pal Mario with his partner Ada took us to Herculaneum (Ercolano) - another town which like Pompeii was destroyed by the big Vesuvius volcanic eruption. Extraordinary ruins, some of which are two storeys high. It's very poignant when you see the skeletons of those huddled in the arches of the port, waiting for boats to take them away to safety.

Event organiser Massimo took us on a drive along the wonderful Amalfi coast before we took the plane back to the UK. From North to South, it was great to attend both events, and to join so many Italian pals in that wonderful country... Grazie Mille tutti!