Had a manic dash across Paris on the metro during the rush hour to the Gare de Lyon, with our backpacks and wheely thing..... I had to have a pain-au-chocolat to calm me doon!
Florence (Firenze) Arrived by HS train in Florence mid morning and first impressions were great coming out of the station - not crowded, no litter, pretty and sunny! It just got better and better. 10 min walk to the hotel - describe themselves as unpretentious - so we expected plain, nothing fancy, but it was perfect - right in the centre, but quiet, smart, spacious and welcoming and our room overlooking a pretty courtyard. Dropped off our bags and got straight out into the touristy hubbub. It's a small city centre so easy to get around and crammed with many little streets full of artisan, art, heritage, renaissance, impecable high end fashion in every direction. Found the famous Mercato Centrale fairly quickly with its amazing mezzanine floor just for.... eating!! and lots of it. The original building of iron and glass opened in 1874 with the mezzanine upgrade in 2014. Wow, wow - fabulous food selection, relaxed seating and plenty interesting peopl...
‘Spanish Steps’ Walked over to the famous Spanish Steps which have little to do with Spain really and were commissioned by Louis 14th of France. They climb a slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom and Piazza Trinita dei Monta and the church of the same name at the top. Only 135 steps but beautifully designed, to link the French church and the Spanish embassy below. Lovely views over Rome and as Jeff discovered an interesting tea room at the bottom - Babingtons which was opened in around 1890 by two English ladies who introduced the notion of tea drinking to Rome. We nearly went in to introduce our Yorkshire Teabags but alas will have to save that for another day. The Vatican We thought all the self-guided slots at the Vatican were booked but Jeff suggested we just went anyway and 'knocked on the door' so to speak. Amazingly they h...
Rain chucking it down this morning so I'm taking the chance to update this Blog since I've not had much on-line time in the last two weeks. We have been reflecting on this year which has been one marked with almost unbearable grief as most of you will know. I miss my two brothers so much and often still catch myself thinking I must ring them, or send a funny message. This year has made us resolve to live life to the full, be in tune with every moment and find joy in the everyday. All cliches I know but it is how it is. On a lighter note we have been following every day the health challenge of our dear granddaughter Susie who has just undergone a major operation to correct a spinal condition, scoliosis. She is a brave girl and just starting to make a recovery at home. Thanks at times like this for digital messaging so we have been able to visit her virtually at least. We are so pr...
Hope the bags are holding up. Xx
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