Race time

Sunday 8th July

We headed out this morning to watch some of the dragon boat racing. Gail's first race was 9.30 so we were there early enough to watch them load into the boat. The venue wasn't really great for spectating - we were on the other side of the river and couldn't hear the announcements so you really needed to know who you were looking for. Still, we did have a reasonably good view even though a little distant. Not a win for the team, but a close third.

Loading time.

Waiting for life jackets.

Paddling down to the start. Gail is second from left closest to camera.

New hairdo.

Life saver Italian style.

The full team headed to the start.

At the finish line - a close third.

After lunch we took a trip on the hop-on, hop-off bus with the main aim of going to the Piazzale Michelangelo which is on a hill overlooking the city of Florence. Apparently a great place to watch the sunset but the timing wasn't right for us. The views were pretty spectacular.

Remains of an old medieval wall, and a lovely manicured garden behind.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence. 

Ponte Vecchio - they call this the golden bridge because of all the gold jewellery stores.

Santa Croce Basilica.

The Florence skyline with the river Arno in foreground.

Statue of Michelangelo at the piazza.

We had aimed to be back at the river by 5ish to watch the flowers on the water ceremony, but a missed bus connection and a half hour wait for the next one made us miss this. Hot and bothered we headed for an Indian restaurant we had seen Friday night and enjoyed an Indian meal for our last night in Florence.