Walkabout Anniversary Day

45 of 'em... Years married, that is. We had our typical breakfast - juice, coffee, pastry, then set off on our day. We went around the corner to the restaurant we tried on our first night here. I asked for a reservation at 8, and was told, 7 or 9. OK .. 7 it is. (W wanted 8 because it will be 2 at home- the time of the ceremony - although I was late.)

Our walk took us past the Arch in Piazza Della Republica, and on to Piazza Vecchio, with its statue of Davis and so many more. The lines for Uffizi were impressive. The towers are amazing around Tuscany, and Palazzo Vecchio is no exception. Onward to the Duomo. We got the lay of the land, and I got tickets online for Tuesday. We stopped at a restaurant for Coke Zero and a little tart for him, affogatto for me. I initially asked for gelato, but they only had big bowls... Too much for me. Affogatto was perfect.

We walked to the Cathedral of Santissima Annunciata, where I planned to visit the chapel of San Pellegrino and put in a word for some special people. Nope. Can't pray there during lunch time... They close at 12:30 and open at 4. It was a little after 2. Another day.

So on to Ponte Vecchio, which has beautiful views and a lot of gold shops. Not needing any gold, we enjoyed the views, and continued to the grocery to replenish the larder. It appears that we shop a lot- and we do, because 1) there isn't room to store a lot, and the fridge is tiny, and 2) we have to carry everything. And since we were right next to Strega Nocciolo, we had to stop for gelato. Almost to our apartment is a dark orange building, with a mark indicating the water height during the 1966 flood.

Then home to get ready for dinner. When they say 7, they mean not a minute earlier. We were shown to our table, and presented with glasses of prosecco in honor of the day. Such a sweet gesture. We had prosciutto and a creamy cheese. I thought I had ordered the spaghetti with tomato sauce for Wayne, but he was served a thick, hearty tomato soup. He also ordered white beans. I had osso buco which was so flavorful. I could only eat a small amount, so it will serve as dinner for both of us on another day. The people at the next table ordered a Bistrcca Fiorentina- this monster would be dinner for their party of five, and I'll bet they didn't finish it. We got some dessert to go, but we're still too full to eat it tonight.

The sun was setting, and I was able to catch some beautiful pictures of the sunset behind Ponte Della Grazie and Ponte Vecchio.

Another great day, marking another great year in this great life.Read more