Thursday 24 March, Maundy Thursday

Beside the River Arno with Ponte Vecchio in the background

We arrived in Florence after a six hour train journey via Milano. Firenze is sunny, cool in the shade and very busy. We are staying in a B and B in the city centre not far from the Duomo and the Uffizi. Going out soon to explore and find a wine bar.

We strolled round the city to Piazza della Senoria; we saw the Loggia with the sculptures of Perseus holding the head of Medusa and others, saw the impressive facade of Palazzo Vecchio, and walked past the Uffizi to the River Arno and Ponte Vecchio.

The Campanile and Duomo floodlit at night

Then we had a white wine in Caffe Strozzi before finding a great place for dinner, La Bussola. I had aubergine parmigiano and we shared roast lamb with potatoes and chard, finished off with chocolate torte. Plus a bottle of Chianti Reserva 2012. Delicious.

Then we strolled to the Duomo and went inside, where there was a silent procession of people dressed in black. It was part of the commemoration of Holy Week. Outside, we marvelled at Giotto's facade for the Campanile and the pink, green and white marble on the Duomo walls and the Baptistery.

Now quite tired. I am reading Death of an Englishman by Magdalen Nabb, set in Florence, probably in the 1970s.