Why are we in Florence?

Friday 6th July

This morning we wandered down to the river to see where the dragon boat racing was to take place. We booked a hotel close to the park but it was still quite a long walk - not helped by the heat. We watched a couple of the practise races - no idea who the teams were. We found that we would be able to spectate from the opposite side of the river and also found that the tram would get us back close to our hotel.

The Arno river - looking towards the loading docks on the right.

Back to the hotel for lunch. Across the road is a rosticceria where we bought lunch - bbq pork ribs, and bowtie pasta arriabiata with crab (it's fish day the lady said). It was a yummy lunch and very cheap - who could be bothered cooking.

Late afternoon was the parade and opening ceremony for the dragon boats. We found ourselves a vantage point and didn't move from there.  It was quite moving to watch so many women, from all over the world, who are breast cancer survivors. I managed to pick Gail in the parade thanks to a flag in her hat. The Australian team seemed to go on forever with representation from all over Australia. We stayed for the official opening and some of the speeches, had a quick chat with Gail (once we found her in the crowd), then headed off for dinner and home.

The parade came from the Palazzo Pitti and finished in the piazza Signoria
in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.

 

Palazzo Vecchio.

Here come the Australians - not sure how many there were but they seemed to
keep coming and coming. Hard to pick Gail in the crowd.

Opening speeches.

Some of the statues in the Piazza Signoria.

It had been a long afternoon for them, waiting in the sun,
and then the parade, but Gail was enjoying the moment.

Wandering back to our hotel via some lesser streets and lanes and we came across some art sculptures in a little alley. Another friend for Odette.

Love this little car - but no room for the sewing machine.