Buon Ricordo - Good memories in Florence

We have been to Florence many times but the purpose of today's visit was to get another Buon Ricordo plate for our collection. You get these plates by going to certain restaurants and ordering the designated dish (which is not always made obvious) and when you leave you are presented with the hand painted plate.

We didn't want to drive into Florence because for us there is no worse place on earth. Many of the streets in the old city are now for permit holders only, many are one-way, parking is difficult and the traffic is very busy on the approaches. With no little effort over the past several days we finally worked out the bus system and got tickets, and left Impruneta at 8.45 am this morning. Forty minutes later we were in Florence. Why would you drive!

Our booking was for 12.30 so we had plenty of time to wander about beforehand. There was quite a crowd at all the main attractions but not the size we would normally expect. People are still being cautious. Later we noticed the cruise ship crowds in organised guided tour groups and in the restaurants. Not our favourite type of tourist!

If you have ever been on the Ponte Vecchio you will know this is not a normal crowd, and you can see why we are still the oldest tourists we have seen.

Neptune was under repair last time we were here but he is looking pretty good now.

Wandering around the little lanes we saw several workshops doing unusual crafts. In one, three people were making or restoring stringed instruments. A man was making those highly decorative picture frames to hold old masters. In another a lady had an ancient mercers. She sold braids, threads, buttons and lace ... and much more.

Then we came upon a workshop that was repairing and making copies of old statuary. Quite a lucrative busineess in Florence, one would expect.

And then you catch a glimpse of the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

It certainly has the Wow factor, and never loses it.

Our lunch date was at Il Francescano near Santa Croce church and we arrived to find the place packed with cruise ship groups. Not a good start but we settled in to our corner spot and enjoyed all that was going on around us. Then I realised that the meal I needed to order was not on the menu. The waitress explained that they only do that in the evenings. Kel said 'We have come all the way from Australia for that meal and the plate.' She went off and spoke to the head waiter and the chef and came back to say they would do it for us. Now that is service!

The meal was called Fritto del Convento, fried morsels from the convent. Rabbit, chicken, carrot, zucchini and onion rings, all lightly battered and fried and served with lemon. Sooo delicious. We followed that with an unusual tiramisu with walnuts in it.

Tuscan bread and a bottle of prosecco and we had a delightful lunch ... 

... and we were given two plates as both of us had the same food. So, one to hang on the wall with the other eleven and one to use.

Dante, born 1265 in Florence, poet, writer, philosopher. Ah, memories of year 12 history.

Nearby we saw this unusual sight; home delivery gelato. Could be interesting in these 36 degree days.

Wandering along towards the bus station we came to the Leather Market where we made a couple of purchases of the cincture kind. 50% off after all!

Then in via Tornabuoni, the street with all the big name stores (Gucci, Ferragamo, Prada, Armani) I spotted these sneakers. Probably not called sneakers! If you have to ask, you can't afford them.

Who slept all the way home on the bus?