Fwd: Last day in Lerici

Dressed in pink made by Gaga Marg

Barbie doll given to Cleo by the Priest

Beautiful Demi

 Big day today as its Demi's Christening and the ceremony starts at 10.30 in Carrara, about 40 mins away. So all up early including Caleb, Bertie's friend from Australia. All dressed and ready, Fabio in his summer weight suit; Bertie in a lovely blue dress; and little Princess Cleo in a gorgeous dress made by Grandma Marg (otherwise know as Gaga). Baby Demi was in a pretty dress (also made by Marg) made from a fabric from a favourite shirt of Grandma Betty.

Steve and I went with Massimo and Patrizia, who live in a gorgeous house nearby. It was a "short 40 min" drive to the church.

We all assembled at the church in Carrara, and Fabio's sister Antonella and husband Fredrico and son Dmitri arrived all smiles as they were to be the Godparents. Several other friends arrived and the Priest came out ready to start. He was also the media manager as he kept telling where the photographers (Dmitri and Massimo) should stand to get the best shots. He also gave Cleo a Barbie doll, a great surprise and something I've never seen in an Australian church. That kept her completely occupied.

Parents and Godparents sat up near the altar and away we went. Demi was perfect as usual, she's a really lovely easy friendly baby. We got all the photos and then moved outside for more photos and chats.

We were moving onto to a restaurant near by - well not so nearby. We drove for nearly an hour, out of Liguria and into Lucca and up several mountains untill we arrived at La Cerratola.

It was like a mountain get away.

Lunch was delightful, beautiful traditional antipasti followed by 3 pasta dishes followed by a meat platter with 4 different types of meat and salad then the cake and gelato for dessert. Just as we were finished bad news arrived.

The whole way up Massimo and Patrizia had been a little distracted as their friend Oscar was very ill in hospital in Genoa. They then got a call saying he had passed away. There were many tears and a fairly quick end to the lunch, we moved outside and discovered Massimo and Patrizia had left and we were without a lift home. Well, in lovely italian style it took 15 mins to arrange cars, count people distribute between cars etc...... to save Steve and I being left on the hill. Eventually we went with Stempy and Veronica and their daughter Greta. Over an hour later of winding corners we arrived back in Lerici and everyone was exhausted. Gorgeous party to welcome little Demi. Thank you Fabio and Roberta.

Had a peaceful night and planned an early morning departure for Cotignac and the last week of our holidays.