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.