Left ship at 8.20 for coach to Florence. Had a coffee then a good wander about. Lots of handbag shops as well as the Duomo etc. Back to the meeting point in time for a slice of pizza each and another coffee and pastry each before our 15.45 meeting time for the return coach.

Now over to our shopping reporter - George. The final score in today's shopping fixture

Leather Handbags Athletic 3 Other Shopping City 0.

( 3 scores were disallowed by Shoes, Jewellery and Perfume. Wine missed a sitter in the closing minutes. The twin strike force of Hard Bargaining and Tough Negotiator put in some sterling efforts to overcome the stubbornness of the shopkeeper's defence. There was no added time by the referee.

Just before we left Florence it started raining which continued all the way to Livorno and the ship.



Just found out that as there are going to be 45 mph winds tonight we cannot leave Livorno. It would be too dangerous to get out of the harbour. This unfortunately means we are going to have to miss out Monte Carlo. What a disappointment. The captain says we will stay another day in Livorno and sail tomorrow evening directly to Tangiers. Many passengers have been asking for them to reinstate Monte Carlo and miss out Tangiers instead but don't know if that is a viable proposition. Watch this space.