A number of fiddly tasks this week to try to make sure I have the background information that will help make the trip run a bit more smoothly.
First, checked the timetables for all the Italian train journeys – including the regionals – and updated the train list with the most likely times for each journey, plus options either side. There are some significant fare increases since I last looked, and one reduction, but the increases are apparently due to significantly faster trains:
• Bologna-Florence: was 1h and €18.10, now 37mins and €24.00• Florence-Rome: was 1:40 and €39.90, now 1:35 and €44.90
• Rome-Pisa: was about 3h and €35.60, now 3:11 and €29.00
• Lucca-Venice: was 4:40 and €40.30, now 4:01 and €47.10
Lucca-Venice is now a regional train to Florence, then an ES Italia AV to Venice. I think it used to be a regional train to Prato, then InterCity to Venice. I need to update the map. The time savings are useful.
Then, checked Orange's voice and data roaming charges, for keeping in touch with folks back home, and hopefully for blogging when I'm not in reach of WiFi:
• Call to UK: | 38p/min + 19p setup |
• Text message: | 11p |
• Photo message: | 60p |
• Data: | £3.00/MB |
I can post here by email, but it's nicer to use the TypePad iPhone app. While away from WiFi I did a receive-and-reply email test which didn't shift the iPhone data usage at all (shown in increments of 0.1MB). So I don't think there should be a problem with emailing and blogging on 3G, provided I'm not tempted to use Safari or other data-heavy apps. For times when I do have WiFi, TypePad have i.typepad.com for mobile browers, though management of the blog is easier on a proper screen.
I had to set up a Help ticket with TypePad as there's a bug in both the iPhone app and in i.typepad.com, such that in both cases the text field for the post doesn't scroll properly (or at all in i.typepad.com). Later I got a noncommittal reply from TypePad support to say that they are "always looking for ways to enhance TypePad for users". Like fixing bugs? Also noting that the iPhone app is not in fact a front-end to email posting (which I'd thought it might be) but uses their own API. Which is OK.
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