https://www.vinnyvespa.com/aunty-avril daily 0.75 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/91e24ac2-63e7-4868-bb3b-b7ba3f6adbb3/Aunty+Avril.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/ae7598ed-146a-4baa-942f-0e32120c28dc/Nephew+and+nieces.JPG https://www.vinnyvespa.com/aunty-avril/africa-east-coast monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/a1cb1e8f-2bdc-4284-8946-e075b5069a83/3_1.png Aunty Avril - AFRICA EAST COAST - Nyali Beach, Mombasa, Kenya Unlike today, Nyali Beach in 1957 was a serene, secluded paradise characterized by white-sand shores, scattered palm trees, and a protective coral reef lagoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/e2f4b81a-15e8-46d1-845a-7b8eaa92ab37/3_3.png Aunty Avril - AFRICA EAST COAST - Mogadishu, Somalia In 1957, Mogadishu was the bustling capital of the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian administration, and its full independence eventually occurred in 1960 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/b13a284a-862e-4743-91d0-dadabde37420/3_4.png Aunty Avril - AFRICA EAST COAST - Mogadishu, Somalia In 1957, larger ships anchored in Mogadish’s open sea and passengers went ashore on smaller boats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/510e84a7-216f-4aed-822e-21cbcbc6d928/3_5.png Aunty Avril - AFRICA EAST COAST - Aden, Port Yemen Situated at the entrance to the Red Sea, in 1957 Aden was a critical maritime hub, serving as the second busiest refuelling station in the world after New York. https://www.vinnyvespa.com/aunty-avril/mv-europa monthly 0.5 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/c64cceec-f072-4fef-aad0-cd90b45d5a93/2_1.png Aunty Avril - MV EUROPA - The MV Europa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/63a7f75a-09d3-439e-a953-5e826085e16d/2_2.png Aunty Avril - MV EUROPA - MV Europa swimming pool Sulzer- and Fiat-manufactured diesel engines provided a service speed of 19.5 knots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/5f9be004-12c5-41b9-aa2c-df06d4fe0704/2_3.png Aunty Avril - MV EUROPA - MV Europa get-together dance / farewell dinner The ship’s capacity was about 148 First Class and 250–300 Tourist Class passengers, served by a crew of more than 200. https://www.vinnyvespa.com/aunty-avril/leaving-home monthly 0.5 2026-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1781073883233-LCUBH8R5ACPOUPEY9VC9/1_1.png Aunty Avril - LEAVING HOME - Durban docks: Africa: Aunty Avril and her two friends prepare to board MV Europa for their journey to Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1781073883268-3AL412EFCYU5P5EHVUS6/1_2.png Aunty Avril - LEAVING HOME - Aboard the MV Europa Aboard the MV Europa: Cecil and Mary bid farewell their daughter, Aunty Avril. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1781073885988-Y990SGQHVNIENQVJTXZH/1_3.png Aunty Avril - LEAVING HOME - Durban docks, Africa Passengers and crew board the MV Europa ahead of departure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1781073886249-LEZSR9CZWMMJNBD1Z0ZD/1_4.png Aunty Avril - LEAVING HOME - Durban docks, Africa Three grey 1956 Vespa motor scooters are loaded as cargo on to the MV Europa. https://www.vinnyvespa.com/big-adventures daily 0.75 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/91e24ac2-63e7-4868-bb3b-b7ba3f6adbb3/Aunty+Avril.jpg https://www.vinnyvespa.com/big-adventures/chapter-2 monthly 0.5 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/f3dbd6bc-4a35-4bdd-aa31-19f944d0c9f0/Holding_IMG.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 2 - Calculating a pyramid star A giant moon hanging over the desert watched a pair speed across the early-morning golden sands… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1778235459158-VFT2QCCXGHG0XNC82OY7/Holding_IMG.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 2 - Sun god Re At the base of the Great Pyramid, a shiny black scarab beetle emerged, its shell gleaming like polished glass. It waited patiently, clearly expecting them. When the scooter skidded to a halt — ten seconds late — the beetle puffed out his chest and spoke in a surprisingly regal voice, “I am Re, the one and only sun god.” They stared at the tiny creature in awe. “I am moments away from completing my morning rebirth,” Re continued proudly, “Rising from humble beetle to divine god. Each dusk, the celestial sky goddess Nut swallowed Re whole, and each dawn she gave birth to him anew. “Fortunately,” Re added, glancing skyward, “Nut forgot to wind her alarm clock last night. She is running a little late.” Above them, the sky yawned and stretched, then urgently seeped grey into pale blue “There’s one minute left,” Re whispered urgently. “Just enough time for your clue.” He raised a delicate front claw, leaned close to Aunty Avril’s ear and murmured, “Use the point of the smallest pyramid.” Before she could reply, the ancient heavens shimmered as Nut descended to gently consume Re before vanishing in a ripple of light. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1778235459158-VFT2QCCXGHG0XNC82OY7/Holding_IMG.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 2 - Make it stand out test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/34398d4b-309e-4945-9ada-4239cf5e3ab5/Holding_IMG_2.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 2 - Uneasy Pharaohs Suddenly very interested in what was going on, the moon, sun and sky paused their celestial tasks to investigate the pair pursuing the bluish shadow darting across the desert. The celestial beings were astonished to learn about humanity’s plans for an artificial star. Listening in, even the buried pharaohs stirred from their afterlife in their stony coffins. They were excited at their god-like authority being able to command a seeing-all object in the sky. “We will become what we claimed to be,” they thought haughtily as Vinny and Aunty Avril lost sight of the shadow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/1778235459158-VFT2QCCXGHG0XNC82OY7/Holding_IMG.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 2 - Meanwhile, in London, Marmalade wondered how much Darjeeling tea he would require for his afterlife as he delicately sipped black Sri Lankan tea from a teacup decorated with black scarab beetles, and remembered to wind up his Florn alarm clock. https://www.vinnyvespa.com/big-adventures/chapter-1 monthly 0.5 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/5764eda4-8150-447b-bd74-d849e23b30a2/01_Hero_IMG.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 1 - Call in the dark When most good people were asleep, a black telephone rang on a Saturday night at 11 o’clock in 1957… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/df817678-0cf5-49c2-94ad-133bbebfa6c7/02_Secret_Bank.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 1 - Secret bank assignment Flicking the telephone cord sideways before setting handset on its cradle, Aunty Avril looked up to see her parents inquisitively peering at her from their bedroom door. “It’s just the bank,” she said dismissively, brushing aside her brown curls. “Special assignment. I will know more tomorrow.” “Strange hour for a special bank assignment,” sniffed her father disapprovingly, before retreating back to bed “Indeed,” agreed her mother, following his footsteps. Whiskey, the family’s much-loved black Scottish Terrier, threw Aunty Avril a sleep-disturbed look of displeasure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/5d836236-030f-4c5f-b425-669d6ee3001f/03_MrPhilby.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 1 - Make it stand out test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69ee1834b487323b820669f5/40b12c6d-f5c0-4a8c-8cee-6a96913b88d3/04_Vinnny.jpg Big Adventures - Chapter 1 - Meeting Vinny for first time Sunlight the next morning zoomed into Aunty Avril’s bedroom, chasing away nervous spiders, bouncing light bubbles off the walls, and nudging her out into the hallway. There, waiting patiently on the little table, was a brown envelope. The very official instructions were regally approved with a cat’s paw print, and signed by someone named Marmalade. The note told her exactly where to go. When she reached the street, a shiny Vespa was waiting, its smooth lines glowing and its black leather seat looking ready for adventure. Aunty Avril blinked — if scooters could wink, this one surely did. She placed her hands on the handlebars “Hello, Aunty Avril,” said Vincent the Vespa cheerfully. Aunty Avril smiled knowingly. Together, they were about to begin a global puzzle race of a lifetime. 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