Pisa
An early start for the second of our excruciatingly expensive (for what you get) excursions. A short-ish coach ride to Pisa (phew, thought Fif) then a trek through the untidy, weed-clad, dusty outskirts of the town to the edge of the Field of Miracles. The historic buildings - baptistry, cathedral, cemetery and tower - are set in a walled field and flanked by souvenir stalls selling the tackiest, cheapest, bawdiest souvenirs you ever did see. We resisted the urge to purchase olive oil-filled leaning towers, boxer shorts with big willies, tea towels of every design, popes bearing barometers and other such necessities. After a guided tour of the Baptistry (which I couldn't stay in as it was too echoey for my brain) and the cemetery we were give free time - all of 15 minutes which only allowed for us to leg it back to the meeting point. No tour of the tower for us then. Back on board ship in time for lunch and then sunbathed on deck all afternoon before setting sail for..........
Elba
A beautiful island and easy to see why Napoleon decided to be exiled there. Don't know why he didn't want to stay longer. We fell in love with it and would love to return for a holiday. Did the last of our three (well, two and a third) excursions here and it was excellent - Footsteps of Napoleon. We spotted this reprobate on Napoleon's balcony so had lunch with him and his better half. Mick and Jackie were great fun and part of the crew, good seafaring mates.
And the rest of the crew......
Never have there been so many bald men round one table - Nick, Luke, Mick (the exception to the rule), Alan and Dave
Alex, the most gentlemanly of gentlemen
But what of the barn? And the brain? The barn's coming together rather nicely thank you. No new pictures yet as we've been too busy looking at light fittings, shelf locations, door knobs etc.
The brain, on the other hand, isn't coming on too well at the moment. Rather feel like I've slipped back a few months and still no news on the CT, although I do have a next appointment date at the specialist. Let's hope he's seen the scans by then......
2 comments:
Brains can be amazingly resilient. Down medical history there are tales of recoveries as surprising as the original injuries were shocking.
Eat well and don't, as they tell me when I've given blood, do anything too strenuous. (A strain on the vein.)
Brenda is delighted to hear you're back.
popes bearing barometers.....can't believe that you didn't buy one...could have been a great talking point in your new home!
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