Ciao from earthquake free Firenze as Rome begins to disintegrate according to some dead self taught seismologist who Mussolini gave his stamp of approval - he also gave this stamp to Adolf Hitler so hence my frivolity at the "predicted quake" today. The prediction was made decades ago, but many Italians are apparently taking it seriously and staying home from work - any excuse for a day off. I doubt this would cut it back home - "I can't come in today as my dead ...

Well we made it to Firenze unscathed even with the best attempts of a petrol tanker trying an overtake maneuver like he was in VW Golf. After enduring a cramped and odorous cab ride in a Seat (the other choice was a Fiat Multipla) we got to our wonderful apartment around the corner from the Uffizi and a stones throw or two from the Duomo. Inner city living at it's best. Grace is thrilled to bits as she has a gelateria right across the street as she has had gelati...

After a great nights sleep and good feed the night before (braciole and verdure di griglia - Italians take on meat and veg) we woke to another flawless blue sky. We had breakfast in the grand lounge of our B&B which was a massive smorgasbord. The girls feasted on eggs, salami, cheese, prociutto, cake and pastries whilst I stuck to toast as I had not seen standard bread since we left home. One thing the Italians do better than anyone is coffee (albeit tepid). ...

We left Rome today via the Frecciarossa bullet train which had us in Firenze in 90 minutes. There is no real order in Italy I am quickly realising. Trying to get 2 kids, 4 cases and a stroller on a train via a door a dozen people are trying to get in at once was very hairy and once on the train the chaos continues as you try to stow your bags whilst everyone else feels waiting for 30 seconds may be life threatening. One bonus is though you get served real espress...