November

The first three weeks of November were unusually warm and sunny. We took long walks without wearing our jackets. On several occasions we took our lunch to our nearest park and watched the dogs have fun chasing one another. We decided that we would explore the outer parts of the city and found leafy suburbs riverside walls, beautiful parks and piazzas. Our first explorations took us to familiar territory like the Parco Cascine which is a large public park that stretches along the Arno but this time we went practically the whole length then found a footpath back along the banks of the Arno. 

Another park we found was our side of the river - the south - the park of the villa Strozzi. Very different from the Cascine which is flat. The Strozzi park is on a hill and has 5 different areas, some lovely picnic areas and children's play areas with wooden animals carved out of tree trunks.

Then one day we explored different areas of the city north of the city centre. We always found interesting shops or hidden piazzas. 

Then suddenly the weather turned cold and we had to wear our winter jumpers and jackets. Our walks continued our favourite walks usually take us along the banks of the Arno going further than on previous occasions. The area of San Nicolo has proved to be a favourite route then crossing to the north side of the Arno for the walk back. 

This is a picture of the memorial to

The "mud angels" the people who came and helped rescue precious art books and manuscripts after the terrible floods of 1966. They worked in mud and filth to help the clean up. 

One full month & a bit more!

Can't quite believe that we have been here in Firenze for over a month. The first few weeks were very busy which was the first surprise and the second was the weather. We had expected it to be a lot warmer but the first couple of weeks were wet and cool. 

In the first couple of weeks we made quite a few contacts with people from a Facebook group and went to an event to meet people. We also answered an advert from an Italian couple who wanted language partners - our first meeting was a great success and we will be meeting up again soon.

The highlight of October was a visit from my son Gareth and his partner André. They arrived a day before Gareth's birthday. So we took them to our favourite Trattoria I Raddi - unfortunately I had forgotten that there was not such a good selection of vegetarian options - but it was still a good night. We started with Aperitivo at the caffé Notte ( of course) where we met up with a friend We met last year so it was brilliant to renew our friendship.

It was great showing Gareth & André our lovely city. On the Monday we took a walk up to San Miniato - up on the hills above the city. We had never managed to visit so this beautiful church. It is a long walk mostly up hill and the Church has many steps up to the front. Once there the walk is very much worth it. The Church is beautiful with lovely frescoes and we arrived in time to hear the monks sing the Gregorian chant at Vespers. From the Church there are wonderful views of the city and the Arno valley. 

The weather also improved and we had a gorgeous sunny day. 

Sadly Gareth and André could only stay a few days. 

The day Gareth left we had a farewell drink with our Ammerican friends who we met here in Firenze a few years ago and we meet up every year. They kindly brought quite a bit of food that they hadn't been able to use up including some Yorkshire tea bags! 

Every day life for us usually consists of - in the morning going out for the bread for breakfast followed by the short walk into Piazza Santo Spirito to see what is for sale in the market ( it changes daily) and to buy veg & fruit. We always have a longer walk in the afternoon and this year we have decided to explore areas we don't know - the more suburban areas and further along both sides of the river. We nearly always discover pretty piazzas or small parks and quirky shops. 

This week - the first week of November it has been warm and sunny with not a fire work in sight ( or sound) brilliant! 

Every where you can see chestnuts, the new olive oil and new wine for sale - who said dolce vita doesn't exist. 

First Week - diary filling up

It was a good end to our first week.When you stay in Firenze for only 2 or 3 weeks getting the supplies in is very different; you are always thinking of the leaving date and what you will need to use up. For the first few days of this longer stay we went round the familiar local shops and markets buying just what we needed in the short term. 

By the Wednesday we were ready for a bigger shop and headed across the city to our favourite large market mercarto San Ambrogio which sells everything on the stalls outside and in the large covered area. Not as famous as the more well known mercarto Centrale we actually prefer it - not as "touristy " and somehow friendlier. 

As we walked the familiar route that leads across the Piazza Santa Croce I started to feel "at home" with that feeling of belonging I always get in this beautiful city. In the covered bit of the market there is what I can only describe as an old fashioned grocers. There we stocked up on dry goods like rice, beans, lentils & the essential coffee - freshly ground. It was a bit of a heavy load but good to be buying in bulk and practicing our Italian. 

On Wednesday evening we met our friends from America who we first met here in Firenze a few years ago and we always have a catch up over Aperativo. We met in the caffé Notte (where else) and as we are living above it we just hung out of the window until we could see them coming! 

Friday evening found us heading towards Porto San Niccoló and a bar called Gecko for a meet and greet event organised by a Facebook group foreigners in Florence. It was a fun evening and we met some nice people but on reflection it would be better to meet with people for language exchange.

By Saturday I had managed to catch a head cold but it didn't stop us going to the local Festa in Piazza Santa Spirito in celebration of the Bianchi's winning this years Calcio Storico. Free food & vino at 1€ a glass what's not to like ( we did put a donation in for the food).

Arrival in Firenze checking in to apartment

The train journey from Paris to Firenze involved a change at Milano. Not just a platform change but we had to change stations. Finding out the information before we travelled was a great help. We knew that we could get from Milano Garabaldi to Milano Centrali using the Metro. It was only two stops and proved very easy even with suitcases. 

It was a long day ( we left Paris at 06.30) and arrived Firenze SMN at 17.00. We ate a packed lunch - a baguette bought in Paris - and drank a bottle of wine! Well it's got to be done and we couldn't get a bottle with a screw top, the cork broke so we were forced to drink the whole bottle - what a bummer!

On arrival we phoned the landlady of the apartment and she was waiting for us - having decided to walk from the station but no hardship when you know the way and the sun is shining.

Our landlady is lovely she made us very welcome and said she would get us any things for the kitchen if we found there was something we needed. The apartment itself is very spacious light and airy with a large living room/kitchen equally large bedroom and the best bathroom we have ever had in Firenze. There is also a separate utility room. 

We are right above the caffé Notte which on previous occasions had been our favourite place to "hang out". It now has new owners & changed a bit so at first we were sad as we had got to know the previous owner Daniello quite well also some of the staff and regulars. We have since discovered that there is someone still working that we know. 

We knew that being above a bar was going to be noisy and it was especially the Saturday night as there was a large crowd outside until about 3 am. John was tired enough to sleep through it but I was not. However that was the worst night since then we have got used to it and during the week it's been a lot quieter.

Oldies in Florence - Paris Interlude

After the often tense time of the 3 weeks prior to setting out for Florence ( clearing the allotment & a week of illness to name two). We travelled by train - Newcastle to London and then Eurostar to Paris. Both journeys went smoothly and we arrived on time.

This was my first visit to Paris and I was not disappointed. We stayed in the Hoel Helvetia very close to Gare de Lyon station ( chosen for that reason). The Hotel was clean, comfortable with an amazingly large bathroom & very reasonably priced. 

We had two full days in Paris so not enough to see everything so I decided I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. John is very familiar with Paris and speaks good French so for him it was lovely to hear French and to speak it. 

So on the first day Thursday we set off to walk along the banks of the Seine towards Notre Dame. We walked most of the way down on the embankment itself. Most of it has been developed for leisure and has lots of houseboats and pretty gardens. It was a long walk and when we got  to Notre Dame there was a long Q to get in so we decided to walk on to the Eiffel Tower which is pretty impressive close up.

After a picnic lunch we walked back to Notre Dame and went in. Much to our surprise there was a service on the music was beautiful so we just sat & listened. 

On the Friday ( my legs were very tired) we used the Metro more. We went to the Pompidou Centre and then the Arc de Triomphe & from there walked all the way down the Champs Elysees. Beautiful with some lovely shops and pretty "gardens".

Getting ready - seven weeks to arrival

In seven weeks time John and I will be in our beloved Florence at the beginning of our four month stay. Our big adventure is also the start of the next phase of our life together. John will have retired. So it will be a time of adjustment for us both. 

The apartment is booked the train tickets bought and a hotel in Paris booked. We are going all the way by train well three trains to be exact with a three night stopover in Paris which is exciting in itself. 

Before we get to the departure point there is still a lot to be done. Number one priority for me is getting the allotment weeded and left in good order. I can't leave anything planted as I have no-one to look after it for me. So I shall clear the weeds and cover the exposed ground as weeds will still grow through the winter albeit slowly.

Deciding what to take is a tricky one we don't need bedding towels etc as the apartment is fully serviced. But we will need warmer clothes and I am thinking of taking some of my craft stuff. 

We both have to have check-ups with the doctor and I still have to have a dental check. All sorts of small details that you don't need to organise for the normal 2 - 3 week holiday. 

If I think about it too much I get in a panic but mostly I am very excited and feel that this will be a life changing experience.