Dateline: Elba, Italy. 24th April, 1997. From a big, red notebook. “Today the weather is not so good on Elba. It’s overcast and cold and the wind is strong. Yesterday, I washed all my clothes at once which is a bad idea because you can’t go outside. I also thought I’d lost my money belt with both passports and 200 FF. This would mean going to Rome to the consulate then waiting forever to get a new passport. We went to the local store to buy some wine and Gina found the belt in her own bag. Phew. It’s raining now, a bit cold too. Last night they had fireworks over Portoferraio – couldn’t really see them due to the fact I had no clothes to wear out, so just enjoyed the flashes from the horizon. I’d like to sit in the hot sun this afternoon and go for a walk away from the hotel.” I don’t recall it being such a dull trip, but I must be mistaken.
