Arrived Italy

Friday 22nd June
Caught the first train to Sydney after work and arrive at good old Formula1 at about 6:30. Dinner was on the agenda & the bright lights beckoned but when I realised it was Krispy Kreme, Macca’s & KFC’s bright lights I went to the ‘posh’ hotel over the road. An early night was needed & I’d been away with the Fairies for about an hour when I was awoken by the fire alarm! I tried to get dressed - hard when in an unfamiliar room even getting bra upside down -  when a voice came over saying “We think this is a false alarm. Stay in your rooms.” Some time later “ Sorry it was a false alarm!”

Saturday 23rd June
Managed to get up & dressed (clothes in correct order!) & arrived at airport at 3:45am.Unfortunately only place open at that time for a cuppa was Macca’s but hey you have to change your principles sometimes! Flight left on time at 6am and 14+ hours later we were arriving in Dubaii where it was a ‘mild’ 39C. All people connecting to Rome were gathered together & marched to the departure gate - it was far enough away to feel like we were walking to Rome! Another good flight & 6 hours later were arrived at Leonardo De Vinci International airport (sounds good doesn’t it!). Then caught airport express train to the centre. Hotel, not the best but it is right next to the station & I have a train to catch to Florence. One thing I’d forgotten about Italy was there bath towels - not like our fluffy - mine was, luckily, the size of a tablecloth & in fact would have been a good tablecloth. The towel are like thin tea towels - strange!

Sunday 24th June
Woke far to early but that’s jet lag! Arrived at railway station & got on wrong train but realised in time to get on the right train. It was one of the high speed ones & in little over an hour I was in Florence & the gang was there to meet me.

We wandered through the streets to the river passing various sights that I had seen before - the replica of David being one. Not many shops were open &  there were few tourists. The leather area was interesting - windows full of brightly coloured gloves, We will return in a few day to shop!

As we started to drive back to the villa we found that the temperature was 39C - slight change from 16C in Sydney! The villa is in amongst the vines - this is the Chianti region. a snooze & quick swim took us to dinner. There is a restaurant straight across the road - ten steps & you’re there - perfect!