Tuesday, May 11:
R. announces at breakfast that we are to make an excursion to Vesuvius. Swift preparations, hasty lunch at Figlio de Pietro’s. R. sends word that he is unwell, and he does not join us at lunch, but nevertheless wants the outing to continue, feeling it will do him good.
Silent journey. Arriving at the observatory, we seek a room, none to be had. The children off to the crater with some guides; R., feeling worse, I suggest returning home. We do that, home at 9:30. R. to bed. The children, exhausted, do not return until close on 11.
Strange, dreamlike day, saw nothing, just experienced the reality of worry!