Firenze! Comfy Beds!
Ciao bellas/bellos
We are now safely ensconced in Florence and yes, Lydia, Mina & Philip did indeed make it across Europe to join us, even if the journey, for them, was slightly fraught and delayed.
Set off from Viareggio yesterday morning, saying a fond farewell to Paradise and its large bunny rabbits. Seemed to take half of the campsite with us though, with sand emerging randomly throughout the day from trouser turn-ups, trainers and bags. We won't miss the hard floors, bruised bones or mosquitoes, but the site was so idyllic that we may, just may, return. (But this time with a bigger tent and the comfiest airbed we can find)
To keep you up to date with the 'loo saga', we just have to inform you that if you were to choose to use a loo anywhere in Europe, for any purpose, then do visit the loos at Viareggio train station. They are fantastically odd, each cubicle set in a converted lift, and the door only sliding open after the digital display outside informs you to insert 20 cents. The door then slides shut, trapping one inside this strange metal box - as you take a seat, you press a button to set the automated loo paper machine into action, which provides one square at a time (but no more than 10 squares, if you happen to be greedy) Once finished, you hold your hand under a laser beam to receive soap, then another beam for water, and finally another button for air. Once all is done, you press a big black button for the door to slide open again, which then closes behind you, sets the digital display to 'disinfecting' and disinfects/flushes the room before the next customer arrives. The 30th Century is officially here, in a small seaside train station toilet.
Expected to meet the Lempriere clan from the train at Florence station, but received a phone call half-way through the journey to let us know that they would be late due to their plane being delayed, but that they would tell us all about it later. Thought nothing more of it, due to the fact we are a day behind with UK/world news as the papers we receive are a day late, and we haven't watched any TV for weeks.
Finally met them at the train station, and were filled in on the news re: UK airports/terror scares etc - they were very very lucky to have flown to Italy at all yesterday. Their plane was due to leave at 6.30amish from Stansted, just before the flight cancellations began, so although they were delayed by about 4 hours, their plane took off and landed safely - any later flight and they would still be in England. They still had the rigamarole of packing their hand luggage into the hold, and putting passports etc into clear plastic bags, and the queues and queues of people around the airport. Keeping an eye on the situation & hoping that Lydia will be able to fly on Monday morning, to get back for work!
All were exhausted yesterday afternoon, so went to the Hotel Colomba by taxi, booked in, and flopped on the beds (beds! comfy beds!) before going out for a bite to eat for lunch, in a cafe overlooking Piazza della Repubblica. Wandered around, had ice-cream from the best gelateria this side of France, ('Perche No?' or 'Why Not?'), and retired to the hotel again to have catnaps (on the comfy beds!). Ate in the evening, had another ice cream from Perche No? and went back to enjoy the comfy beds and Go To The Land Of Nod.
Saw the Duomo, or Santa Maria del Fiore, (H for the 2nd time, A for the 23rd time) which is an amazing sight, however many times you've seen it. Begun in 1296, it took 170 years to complete the works, (originally designed to be the largest Roman Catholic church in the world) and it towers above the surrounding Renaissance buildings. This, as well as every other inch of the place, is crawling with tourists at the moment, as it really is 'high' season so is incredibly busy, and you become very adept at dodging over-zealous tour guides and ducking under cameras pointed at various famous objects.
Every step you take in this city, you are bombarded with culture, art, history and beauty (as well as very nice smells of food and ice cream) and one visit is never enough. Still, we're going to try and pack it all in, along with visits to the family and lots of sleep in the comfy beds. Will keep you all informed as to where we all are and whether or not we've all got our transport connections!
Going to sign off now, and possibly have a nap this afternoon, due to a particularly savage mosquito keeping us awake during the night with ferocious buzzings and bitings, before (possibly) the first of our family/friend visits this evening, Gian Carlo, Carla and Monica for supper.
As usual, hope you're all well and, Uxxxx Mxxxxxx, we will be in touch (very) shortly about the South of France...
Lots of love
A,H,L,M&P xxx
We are now safely ensconced in Florence and yes, Lydia, Mina & Philip did indeed make it across Europe to join us, even if the journey, for them, was slightly fraught and delayed.
Set off from Viareggio yesterday morning, saying a fond farewell to Paradise and its large bunny rabbits. Seemed to take half of the campsite with us though, with sand emerging randomly throughout the day from trouser turn-ups, trainers and bags. We won't miss the hard floors, bruised bones or mosquitoes, but the site was so idyllic that we may, just may, return. (But this time with a bigger tent and the comfiest airbed we can find)
To keep you up to date with the 'loo saga', we just have to inform you that if you were to choose to use a loo anywhere in Europe, for any purpose, then do visit the loos at Viareggio train station. They are fantastically odd, each cubicle set in a converted lift, and the door only sliding open after the digital display outside informs you to insert 20 cents. The door then slides shut, trapping one inside this strange metal box - as you take a seat, you press a button to set the automated loo paper machine into action, which provides one square at a time (but no more than 10 squares, if you happen to be greedy) Once finished, you hold your hand under a laser beam to receive soap, then another beam for water, and finally another button for air. Once all is done, you press a big black button for the door to slide open again, which then closes behind you, sets the digital display to 'disinfecting' and disinfects/flushes the room before the next customer arrives. The 30th Century is officially here, in a small seaside train station toilet.
Expected to meet the Lempriere clan from the train at Florence station, but received a phone call half-way through the journey to let us know that they would be late due to their plane being delayed, but that they would tell us all about it later. Thought nothing more of it, due to the fact we are a day behind with UK/world news as the papers we receive are a day late, and we haven't watched any TV for weeks.
Finally met them at the train station, and were filled in on the news re: UK airports/terror scares etc - they were very very lucky to have flown to Italy at all yesterday. Their plane was due to leave at 6.30amish from Stansted, just before the flight cancellations began, so although they were delayed by about 4 hours, their plane took off and landed safely - any later flight and they would still be in England. They still had the rigamarole of packing their hand luggage into the hold, and putting passports etc into clear plastic bags, and the queues and queues of people around the airport. Keeping an eye on the situation & hoping that Lydia will be able to fly on Monday morning, to get back for work!
All were exhausted yesterday afternoon, so went to the Hotel Colomba by taxi, booked in, and flopped on the beds (beds! comfy beds!) before going out for a bite to eat for lunch, in a cafe overlooking Piazza della Repubblica. Wandered around, had ice-cream from the best gelateria this side of France, ('Perche No?' or 'Why Not?'), and retired to the hotel again to have catnaps (on the comfy beds!). Ate in the evening, had another ice cream from Perche No? and went back to enjoy the comfy beds and Go To The Land Of Nod.
Saw the Duomo, or Santa Maria del Fiore, (H for the 2nd time, A for the 23rd time) which is an amazing sight, however many times you've seen it. Begun in 1296, it took 170 years to complete the works, (originally designed to be the largest Roman Catholic church in the world) and it towers above the surrounding Renaissance buildings. This, as well as every other inch of the place, is crawling with tourists at the moment, as it really is 'high' season so is incredibly busy, and you become very adept at dodging over-zealous tour guides and ducking under cameras pointed at various famous objects.
Every step you take in this city, you are bombarded with culture, art, history and beauty (as well as very nice smells of food and ice cream) and one visit is never enough. Still, we're going to try and pack it all in, along with visits to the family and lots of sleep in the comfy beds. Will keep you all informed as to where we all are and whether or not we've all got our transport connections!
Going to sign off now, and possibly have a nap this afternoon, due to a particularly savage mosquito keeping us awake during the night with ferocious buzzings and bitings, before (possibly) the first of our family/friend visits this evening, Gian Carlo, Carla and Monica for supper.
As usual, hope you're all well and, Uxxxx Mxxxxxx, we will be in touch (very) shortly about the South of France...
Lots of love
A,H,L,M&P xxx
posted by the travellers at 2:01 pm
4 Comments:
I couldnt resist writing a little message , even though im now with the bloggers!
Zegna, will expect a full blog comment now please.Bit slack arent we?!
Two ice creams in two days, not doing too badly, although with the ring leaders (me and daddy) trying to be good, we have been sharing two betwwen 5 after carefully selcting flavours we all like. Although quite successful so far i took a mouthful of Yoghurt by mistake(how i winced)
Love to you and boys, and to everyone else, we are taking care of the intrepid ones!
Lydia xxx
Ha ha!!
Very funny blog, will remember the useful tip about toilets. I think that that comes a close second to the Texaco garage as you leave London. (Lydia will explain!)
I am sooo jealous that you are all there and I am here. Maybe next year!
Just to remind Lydia about shopping, if you buy something that you think I might also like, for gods sake buy one for me!!!!
With regards to the ice cream, you have got to have some fig for me with the whipped cream in a big tub with a pink spoon! I'm suprised that you are being so restained, though only your first day!!
Glad you are enjoying sleeping in comfy beds and hope that you are feeling lovely and rested.
I will look forward to reading your next blog even if you only tell me what Zia Anna cooked you for lunch! Am on a serious diet trying to loose all those holiday pounds!!! So I will be very interested to hear what you have been eating!
Have fun at the Uffizi, wear comfy shoes, you will walk miles!
Lovely to talk to you all tonight, made me miss you even more! Will call you on Sunday, probably late afternnon as we are at the Bruces for lunch!
Love you all very much and missing you lots.
Zegna, Chris, Samuel and Leo(otherwise known as Superman, I not Leo!!!) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Congratulations on your intrepid perseverance and undimmed sparkle. Your Blog continues to rate as priority reading.
Gpa & Gma T xx
We are now back in the land of the living (England) following our amazing adventures in depths of darkest Wales. Lots of blog to catch up on.
SO glad you got to us the tent. Fun isn't it - camping? Love the sound of the giant rabbits. Harvey and his mates? I heard electricty generating noises coming from the direction of the electricity generating building in Hissar. Turned out to be frogs. Although frogs (except S American tree frogs) tend not to roost in trees.
Collected kitties this morning. New cattery - v. expensive, miserable woman running it, doesn't seem particularly interested in animals, however, kits looking V well - not too fat - and happy. Delighted to be home.
H - will email you.
Glad to hear you've all met up OK. A's thinking about driving to Amsterdam in September - will probably be quicker (in view of delays).
Tilly's just turned up on cue. Dribbly one end, smelly the other. Sends loads of love.
Love to both - all - of you.
M&A xxxx
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