New Year’s Day

It turned out that not everyone had an early night last night. I went out at around 7:00 am - the streets were deserted but strewn with empty bottles and other NYE detritis.

Florence wasn't messy for long though, By the time I headed back for coffee and breakfast, the street sweepers were out and the story book beauty was restored.

Most of Florence was closed for New Years Day. It was strange walking over the Ponte Vecchio with all the jewellery stalls closed and locked.

The Leonardo da Vinci museum was open so we spent an hour or so there. We went across the river and walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo to look out over the old city.

Came back along the Ponte Grazie where George throws Lucy’s photographs into the Arno (because they were covered in blood).

We visited Santa Croce then had dinner at Osteria del Gatto e la Volpe.

Today was a great gelato day. I have discovered an unbeatable combination - hazlenut (or could be nocciola or baci) with cherry (whole soft stewed cherries in a sort of fior di latte).Read more