Florence

We managed to make it to London six days ago barely ahead of a volcanic ash termination of flights, and managed to fly to Florence yesterday three days ahead of a proposed strike by British Airways employees. We feel lucky. And we only got a spit of rain in London, although I am convinced that when a sunny day is forecast that it means you will see at least 10 minutes of sunshine. Florence is, as usual, gloriously sunny with temperatures in the upper seventies, so I was finally able to unpack shorts.

Our apartment overlooks the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio and is quite comfortable. We lost the coin flip and got the bedroom on the street side of the apartment, where there was party noise throughout the night and far too much traffic. Rick and I sat up until past midnight sharing wine and wisdom, both of which seem to have disappeared. Sleeping beauty continues her somnomulence at 10:15. Wish I could sleep so easily through noise.

Highlights of London were visits to the Tower, Westminister Abbey and the British Museum, along with numerous walks through the city. The subway, nicknamed "the tube," was clean and efficient. Yesterday, we took the train to Gatwick airport for our Meridianna flight here. These old European cities reek of history and I finished Our First Revolution by Michael Barone about the history surrounding the Glorious Revolution in England in 1688-89, a far more important precursor to our own revolution than I ever imagined. I am now reading The Borgias and Their Enemies by Christopher Hibbert, which takes place in the late 1400's and early 1500's in Italy. All these people dueling for power were quite ruthless and violent. Dick Cheney would have fit right in. I am telling you that shotgun incident was no accident.

I trust nothing much has changed in the States. I don't miss hearing about the Tea Party. Buon Giorgno.