The Italia left Milan early this morning.

The Italia left Milan just before two this morning. An ungodly hour, but Umberto Nobile was keen to avoid the media. Almost immediately the airship ran into bad weather, with some heady turbulence tossing the Italia as it headed northeast towards the Alps. Now, mid-morning, the Italia is near Vienna and plotting a course that will take it north over Moravia and Silesia towards the Baltic.

Everyone aboard is well. Well everyone except Titina, the only female in the company. Titina is Nobile’s dog, a feisty little fox terrier. She is a bit miffed at being cooped up in the airship – not quite the freedom to run around that she would like.