Firenze #5

Council Chamber

Last day in Florence. Ju and Sare headed across the river and up the hill to the Annigoni museum and exhibition. Apparently it was worth the climb as it was"pretty speccie". Also the view over Florence was outstanding although someone had forgotten her camera! As for me I dropped some washing off at the laundry so I can head off to Venice all nice and clean. Then walked over to the Medici Chapel for a gander. When we were here in 2006 the main chapel was under restoration. It still is - just another section. Have a display of a series of paintings created in 1510 for the memorial service Cosimo de Medici ordered for Henri IV of France after his assassination.

Palazzo Vecchio

The ambled over to the Palazzo Vecchio to meet S and J. Operates now as city hall and has been the base of Florences government since the 1300s. The council chamber is seriously large and impressive - could give John Banks visions of grandeur. Some stunning ceilings. For some reason it wasn't possible to go up to the battlements. One of those random Italian things. Had lunch in a restaurant in the piazza so we could observe the comings and goings. The food was as ordinary as we expected for tourist central and the service indifferent. The look we were given when we didn't tip should have reduced us to three piles of ashes!

Think we'll redo the lounge when we get home

Then we split up to make independent ways back to the hotel. Final leather goods purchased. I wandered into Orsanmichele which was built as a grain sales centre but was turned into a church. Was mostly empty when I arrived but the peace was broken by a walking group - I think of the faithful. Assumption based on the way they all dashed up the front and started lighting candles. Can a good final wander around all the local streets. have decided that Florentine drivers are a greater risk to one's safety than those in Rome. At least in Rome the seem to recognise the significance of of pedestrain crossings! Sare left 4:30 and we got sorted ready to leave tomorrow.

Booked on 10:30 train tomorrow for Venice.