The photo is a takeaway Spritz. I mean how good is that?
Anyway. I forget where I was up to! I think it was Monday when the photography exhibition was closed. Then we all met up again for the mandatory aperitif before going off for a meal…the one where we spilt an inordinate amount of wine on the table.
That was a fun night that ended farewelling Andrew, Desiree and Gail as they were heading off to the Cinque Terre and I was leaving before they got back. Then Ann and Simon arrived after 11pm to stay the night as they had a night of homelessness. That all went to plan.
The next day was 39 deg again. The 3 of us set off for a fabulous breakfast place and sat about for ages. We then we went home and sat in front of the little air con unit until their place was ready for them to move into. Off they went and I went out to see the photography exhibition I’d missed the day before, arriving in a giant pool of sweat. Fortunately it was small and manageable and very enjoyable. I then went to get my first gelato since arriving in Italy. I went back to what used to be one of my favourite places but it definitely didn’t live up to expectation and my gelato treat turned into a gelato disappointment!! Then home again to cool off before the drill of meeting for aperitifs and then a meal. This time we went to a fantastic wine bar for our drinks and then a really fabulous restaurant where Ann knew the owner. This time it was Ann, Simon and Carmel. We had a great meal, sharing plates and enjoying everything.
Ann and Carmel decided that they were going to come to Firenze with me in the morning. So home for a last night in Lucca. Tidied up and packed up in the morning and Ann came to my place to pick me up. We met Carmel at a place for brekky and then they took my bags from me and off we all headed to the station. I was so glad to have them. It was hot, the elevator at the station had broken down and the regionale trains are like mountains to climb up on to!! So that was great.
In Firenze they went off shopping and I plodded off to my hotel. By the time the train got in at 12md the temperature had climbed to 40 deg. So I arrived at my expensive hotel in a pool of sweat with a face like a fucking beetroot!! I’d booked a single room of course but they told me they would upgrade me and here I am in a fabulous and massive suite. It is unreal and totally wonderful. I regrouped briefly and then set off for the Mercato San Lorenzo where I was meeting the girls for lunch. It was a 20 min walk away and when I got there I was once again like a walking, dripping beetroot!! But a glass or 2 of prosecco later and some pasta to die for (a truffle pasta that was truly divine stands out) and I was revived enough to head back to the hotel while they went off for some more serious shopping.
I only got half way to the hotel before I had to stop and get a juice to maintain my equilibrium. I came back here and flopped on my lovely bed under the air con. That was an hour and a half ago and I’m waiting for them to finish their shopping and meet me at the hotel for drinks in the bar before they head back to Lucca and that really will be it!!
I must say I couldn’t keep up the pace for much longer but it has been the most amazing time of being swept up with friends and feeling very much part of something extraordinary. Chris is worried that my expectations will be too high for the next phase of this incredible holiday. We meet on the train in the morning and that will be great too. First night in Slovenia I’m told after picking up the car.