Florence - Day 4

Friday morning we headed straight for the Duomo. After a short queue (you have to expect it!) we stepped into the hushed interior. More money was spent on candles and wishes and we were startled but thrilled when the organ rang out and enveloped us in deafening cacophony. It was terrific! We were all keen to climb the dome so James led the way. His little legs powered up the 463 steps - not a grizzle or a rest at all. Although he did like to stop and look out of the windows of the stone spiral staircase! He had his own toy telescope which he insisted you could only use to look at things far away. Looking at Dad or pigeons was not acceptable! I had jelly knees going back down all those steps but it was fantastic and I will do it all again when my shins stop hurting.

Back down on the ground we went through the adjacent Baptistery. James counted all the "Little Baby Jesuses" and angels. There are always things to find and hold his interest!

After a rest we crossed the Arno at the Ponte della Grazie and walked up the steep hills, past Galileo's home and around the Fort Belvedere. It was here that Martin and I had picked an olive from the monastery wall 9 years ago and reeled in it's bitterness. James thought that was funny but was willing to try one himself if he could find one! It was not to be! We walked down the valley and up the other side to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It's a bit touristy up here but if you turn your back on the crowds and sit on the steps overlooking the city of Florence you could be the only ones there. We were waiting for the sunset and spent about an hour, just sitting on the wide steps eating salami, peccorino cheese, panforte and chocolate.

Friday night we had dinner at a trattoria that I don't know the Italian name of, but the English translation is 'Discourteous'. Hmmm... It was a real find and because there was such a crowd of hungry people in such a tiny place we shared our table with an American meteorologist. The food was as simple as you can get, the Chianti great and the coffee a perfect end. We loved the good-natured banter between the waiters and the fact that we sat next to the open kitchen as they boiled my pasta and hacked off a slab of Florentine steak for Martin! Just bliss!

Overall gelati consumption: James - lemon, strawberry, berry, pineapple and cream. Espressi consumed: too many to count. Bottles of wine: ditto

Photos are here.