Now that our personal blogger Debbie has left to wing her way back to Oz, it falls on the us to continue her excellent work – thanks Deb, and safe travelling to you both !!

We departed Venice disappointed at not having seen another aqua alta.  The promised high water didn’t eventuate yesterday; just the very low lying footpaths were under water.

Not as aqua alta as we had been led to believe

Venetian lace, in a shop on a Venetian Canal – priceless

We arrived at the Ferrovia Venizia with hours to spare as we had left our apartment very early to avoid having to wade our way to the station later in the day.  We wandered around the station precinct until it was time to board out “”bullet train” to Florence.  And it was indeed a bullet, notching up a top speed of 240 kms per hour.  The scenery flashed by, and we went through some very long tunnels to avoid some of the climb up and over the Appenino Tuscano.  We still ascended and descended quite a bit as it was; our ears popped twice on the way up, and then again on the way down.  It wasn’t a very nice day, overcast, cold and showery, and we didn’t feel as though we had missed out on any lovely Tuscan scenery.

We found our way to our hotel with great ease, only a leisurely 10 minute walk from the Stazione di Santa Maria Novella.  We went for a quick walk around our immediate area after a quick unpack.  It’s ankle wrecking territory out there – cobble stones which are laid at all different levels and angles, quickly catch the unsuspecting ankles of the unwary.  I’m not sure how the girls in their 8 inch Prada heels navigate without face planting.  We are surrounded by top end shops such as Gucci, Dolce and Gabana, and Prada to name only a few.  Pete’s locked his credit card away in the safe, and has said that he won’t be giving me the combination any time soon !!

Back to the hotel and upstairs to the top floor of our hotel for our welcome drink, and something to eat, before crashing into bed.  Our bedroom window faces onto the main street but the windows are triple-glazed, and we don’t hear very much of the passing parade, only the tolling of the bells (every half hour and on the hour) and the ambulances as they dash by with sirens blaring.  It’s a real shock to be confronted with vehicular traffic again, after getting used to pedestrian only Venice.

Alan, great to hear that Pat is so much better.  Please give her our love and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Ilze x