In Florence

Up (relatively) early and off to the train station.  After much discussion, Louise and I had decided it wasn't necessary to book for train to Florence.  There's one every half hour ... how busy can it be ... tour groups take a bus, businessmen drive ... oops!  Got to train station early enough for a 9:30 train, but it, and the 10:00 were sold out, so we had a coffee, did a little shopping, and enjoyed the bustle of Termini Station while we waited for the 10:30.

Arrived in Florence and took our stuff over to the Rectory of the American Church, where Louise, Daniel and Annie are staying with long-time friends of Louise's mom.  It's like an updated version of "Room with a View," including two lovely older American women also staying at the Rectory.   

Wandered along the Arno into the center of town.  Louise and Daniel went up the Campanile of the Duomo while Harold and Annie went into the Baptistry and appreciated the gorgeous 14th century mosiacs on the ceiling, then walked through the Duomo itself.  We then switched; Harold went up onto the top of the Duomo, while Annie, Louise and Daniel hit the Baptistry, then the Duomo Museum.  Harold caught up with the crew in the middle of a tour they were taking; Annie had taken a liking to the tourguide, a very personable American woman doing a junior year abroad.  Annie was peppering her with questions ... and very knowledgeable questions, if I do say so.

After the museum we collapsed into a taxi for a ride back to the rectory.   Rector and her husband were gracious enough to drive us across the Arno up to the Piazza Buonarroti where we had a beautiful view of the sun setting over Florence.  

Harold scooted off to his hotel for a very welcome hot bath, then back to the rectory for a wonderful dinner -- the Rector and her husband, the four of us, the two American visitors and three U.K. organ experts  who are installing a new instrument in the church.   Very lively conversation.  Lots of fun.  Then the four of us went out for a walk and a final gelato of the day for the kids.  

Have an 8:30 a.m. ticket for the Pitti Palace tomorrow, so it's off to bed!