Day 22 - Treasures of the Uffizi

Thursday we had had the presence of mind to advance book our tickets for the Uffizi, which is just across the piazza and round the corner. After hot chocolate and pastries in the cafe outside our building we were away. After queuing until the precise moment we were let in, it was through security and up the stairs. And up, and up! How many steps are there? Noone seems to mention them before you arrive. I wonder how the halt and lame get on.

Upstairs and it is the lavish palace setting for the treasures of Florence. So many famous paintings by the most famous artists of all time - Nearly all religious of course and covering the same subjects - I am sure someone must have tallied the numbers of madonnas, crucifixions and other standard subjects. It's very hard to take it in in the throng of people pressing through. But truly wonderful and not to be missed.

After Uffizzi, we had to attend to more domestic matters. The one downside of the apartment is that it is located in the main tourist area and we hadn't been able to locate a supermarket nearby and we needed a few  supplies. So we took a taxi to the nearest Essalunga, which is a major supermarket. I must be easily amused but I find foreign supermarkets fascinating and this one was full of interesting stuff- italian olives and antepasti, pasta, pastries, cheeses in varieties we never see. They don't see the need for breakfast cereal and it was a challenge finding a few items but we got what we wanted.

Catching a taxi back was a problem but Warwick was able to get help from the Save the Children canvassers who came to our rescue. We definitely owe them a donation.

Back at the flat we could wash all the clothes and relax with a very nice prosecco and antipasta. Ah, this is the life. And it's 26 degrees again.

Warwick went off exploring and nearly bought a leather jacket. There will be much to see tomorrow.