Thursday:
Eight to Florence (Team Sheridan plus Packers), seven
to Greve and Radda (Team Betty minus . . . you get the picture).
We took the express train to Florence and arrived by mid
morning, disembarking at the Santa Maria Novella – who names their train
stations after saints?! Tanya and David were off to the Academia while the rest
of us walked, first to the Duomo in all its majesty (and the longest entry lines
in the world), then to the Piazza della Signoria to experience the outdoor
gallery of sculpture, across the Ponte Vecchio to window shop gold selling in
the most romantic setting in the world, back across the Ponte Trinite to the French
Market, then into the Academia to say hello to the “other” David. As you can
tell by the photos he is magnificent from all sides!!
We completed our Florence day with a drink at the Heineken café
(strange name for a quintessential Italian bar), the speediest train ever back
to Montevarchia, and yet another fabulous meal at a happened-upon restaurant
close to the stazione.
As for Team Betty? They reported a wonderful day in Greve –
a charming mountain town with a piazza surrounded by abundant shops (perfect for
Rose), a fabulous café with lardo (the treat that keeps Shaun returning to
Chianti), and a stop in Radda to acquaint Kevin and Allison with its many charms.
We ended Thursday as we had each other family day in Chianti - around the table, rum and coke or wine or limoncello or Jagermeister or espresso or tea in hand - recounting the day and laughing . . . a lot. Betty's presentation of a David to our David was the icing on our Ciona cake! I was struck with a "Shirley" moment when Betty stood and so "solemnly" spoke. Two incredible peas in a pod!
Just another (perfect) day!
Caio xoxo
Who forgets to take a front view of DAVID!??!?!
WOW! Florence looks incredible
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