Magic roundabout ?

Florence today and we were both looking forward to it. Having checked out the railway station, tickets and parking the day before we simply had to turn up, park the car for free (yes - free!), buy our tickets from the man in the cafe at the station and climb aboard. It cost all of 9.60 euros return for both of us and the train was comfortable, clean and air conditioned. It was a lovely 40 minute ride through countryside and so we arrived relaxed and cool.

What can we say? Florence is beautiful as most people already know. There are so many things to see and do but we couldn't do them all justice in one day. The weather continues to be very hot and humid and that is tiring in itself. We still managed to see most of the sights and take lots of photos and really enjoyed ourselves. What surprised us was the prices - inexpensive for a tourist city. We bought lovely fresh rolls for lunch with cold drinks and sat in San Marco Square to eat them and take in the atmosphere. That was only 11 euros. Later we bought bottles of chilled water for 40 cents each and two coffees for 1.19 euros in the market place cafe. A lovely, vibrant market selling fruit and veg, meat, fish and cheeses - wonderful colours and even better tasters! We discovered some wonderful garlic cloves marinated in vinegar that are eaten with salami and bread. They are not the strong, smelly variety but taste clean and fresh and really enhance the meat.

Ice creams in the afternoon were 2 euros each for huge cones with real fruit in. Steve says that was the best strawberry ice cream he has ever tasted. I had my favourite - coconut - and yes Pat, it was delicious.

We walked our legs off and had a memorable day, despite the heat. The air conditioned train journey back to San Piero a Sieve was very welcome and we were refreshed by the time we arrived back.

A quick dip in the pool and an hour with our books on the sun loungers was a good way to end our day. The gorgeous steak we cooked for dinner rounded it off nicely - and so to bed said Zebedee.....boing!