Kevnjan's big adventure.

Wed. 14th. Mar. Another brilliant day. Bright sunshine, big cloudless blue sky, and warm. We prepared a picnic and two flasks of coffee and by just before ten were ready to catch the bus into the city. Well, I suppose we could have got up earlier! So good news and bad news. First the Tabacchi was out of bus tickets. That turned out to be the good news. The bad news? The buses were on strike!! So we set off to walk into town, about 3 Ks. Not a bad walk as it turned out. Got to the station and established that the tour buses were still running and invested in two day tickets at €16 each. A bargain, we took an hour's tour before lunch, which took in the sights within the city. It looked a bit more attractive from the top of the bus, the buildings were nice enough and the streets and river attractive. Then the bus went over the river and up the hill to Piazza Michaelangelo. Suddenly we saw what all the fuss is about. The view was staggeringly beautiful and for the second time in a few days Janet was lost for words. We got off the bus and let it go on it's way without us. This was something to savour. As we made our way to the parapet to get the best views we saw just below us three wedding parties, all Chinese or oriental people, the dresses, the girls were wearing were priceless. Pictures on Facebook. (Jan's instructions.) We took lots of pictures and a video. Had lunch up there and caught the next bus an hour later. Back to town, a quick look at the cathedral, one of the few free sights on show and a look around before getting the second bus tour at 3.15 which took in the town of Fiesole, in the hills above Florence, picture book scenery all the way, typically Tuscan. On the subject of the cathedral, it must be said, the building is enormous, the really interesting parts are roped off and an entrance fee is charged for each part - not really free then!! Still, tomorrow I suppose we'll have to fork out. There's much to see and it's unlikely we'll be back for a while. Have to visit the Uffici tomorrow too. Still at least the buses will be running, long walk home tonight!! Bus drivers!! Better have a glass of wine. Looks like being a busy day.