Firenze
Avisephoria: The mild euphoria felt by navigators and drivers alike upon seeing the red Avis sign where the car may be dropped off. A sensation felt this morning when we drove without getting lost back into Florence. We left the car and Tuscany behind us. It was with bittersweet sadness that we left our little home of 7 days in the Chianti county. We spent our last day eating and drinking. Our pasta course provided us with much pasta to be eaten in one day. I think we did quite well out of it. We enjoyed lovely lunch alfresco looking out on the vineyard of red(merlot) vines and yellow and green vines(sangiovese). Most of Chianti classico wines are made predominatly from Sangiovese and up to 10% only of other varietals. We also enjoyed a Verancia(spelling?) from San Gigimano- a white grape varietal typical of San Gigimano.
Thursday night we went to Panzano in Chianti to have dinner at Solociccia. A restaurant made famous by the butcher that has featured on Anthony Bourdain and Jaime Oliver. For 30 euros, we enjoyed 6 smallish meat courses at a shared table complete with wine, bread and dessert. It was not gobsmacking amazing but the quality of the dishes and the general ambience was fantastic. Highly recommendable. Of particular note, a beef shin stew with celery and carrots cooked with a touch of vinegar.
Today, in Florence we went to the Academia to see David. It was pretty amazing, especially with the iPod on Mozarts Requiem drowning out the tourists droning about around us. The weather has turned coooollld. I am in 3 layers and still freezing. Hopefully the cold snap turns before we go further south to meet up with the Wilsons and the Ujuk. Tonight is the big grand final rugby match so we might try to find a bar nearby to watch it in.Â
Hope you guys are over whatever bug was bothering you, and are back into top gear!
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