Nearly, almost!

Yes it's nearly time for 'friend' Debra and her dishy, tall (to me anyone over 5'3" is tall, and he's 5'11") red headed husband Joe are due to fly out of Newark N.J. airport later today for their holiday up here with me... YIPPEE!!! (and before you ask - NO Bijoux is not coming with them....)

I'll be picking them up from Malpensa airport (just north of Milan) tomorrow morning. They are due to land at 7.50am so it will be a fairly early start for me. It's not that far though (140km) so I'll probably leave at about 6am but I'll check that their flight left on time before setting out.

We've been in contact on numerous occasions over recent weeks - for obvious reasons. And right up 'til last night there were one or two points that Joe wanted to check on. But perhaps the most important call, from my point of view was mine last Wednesday. I had a favour to ask... I have heard about the things that I wanted them to get for me over the years, in films and from other people - but I had never (even during my times over there) ever bought or tried one. So what better opportunity that this to satisfy my curiosity once and for all. On Wednesday I did just that and asked Debs if she could possible bring me not one but TWO Hershey Bars!!!! Well whatever did you think I meant - pastrami on rye - a bagel???? No...CHOCOLATE is what I crave - and two bars will last me for ages. I'm very good with things I shouldn't eat, especially chocolate. No.1 son bought me a 1/2lb bar of Cadbury's Milk at Christmas and I made that last me 'til the end of March! But 'Good Grief' it is soooo difficult to resist temptation.

It is going to be a wonderful 10 days for Debbie and Joe, as in addition to meeting me for the first time (though we do talk regularly on Skype), they have another English couple who have just moved fro the UK to near Geneva but in France. They are driving over for two days to meet Deb and Joe for the first time too. It's going to be great - I just know it!

They will be seeing a lot of the lake and the surrounding mountains and several days out are planned. Maybe a boat trip from Bellano to Belaggio then down to Como and up to Brunate too. Deb said she wouldn't mind 'dropping in' to George's place (Cloony that is) for a cup of tea or whatever he might have on offer! Fat chance of that I reckon - and if it 'was on offer' I rather feel she would find herself at the back of a queue long enough to stretch back to New Jersey (LOL).

So all that remains now is for their arrival in the morning. Can hardly wait to meet two lovely people who already feel like old friends!