Liz and Frank

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Lucca - the top of Tuscany

Off to our 2nd last stop in Italy, we left Sirmione early and headed south to the Northern section of Tuscany to a walled town called Lucca - not far from Pisa and just north of Florence. The map of Lucca below shows the outline of the 16th century brick wall which rings the entire old town.

Our drive was trouble free, up until we tried to find the appropriate gate for entry through these walls - it was Porta Santa Maria, which after a quick couple of circles of the exterior of these walls, we found it, entered and then followed the guidelines along these tiny lanes the Luccans call streets to our small Hotel, Alla Corte degli Angeli, and yes they had parking in a building site down their "lane" and it was at this stage we decided the car could stay there until it was time for us to depart Lucca in a couple of days .

The welcome to Angeli was very warm, just a charming little place, had a proper lift , and the rooms had been recently renovated with soft "fresco" type artwork on the walls .

Below is the ceiling in Angeli's lounge bar and Internet room.

After un-loading the car and unpacking slightly, we then headed off to do the "Wall Walk".

This is the 4th wall around Lucca, preceding it were the roman walls from 180BC, later on the medieval (12th and 13th century) and the third wall completed in 1544. The total length is 4.2 kilometers.

Row upon row of centuries' old trees - chestnut, ifex and plane - line the 60ft wide wall top.

This wall is 40 ft tall

and 98 ft wide at its base.

Within the 4.2 kms there are 12 bastions distributed, ll bulwarks (with ample subterranean areas in the interior)

in which armories and store rooms for gunpowder are still visible

and a moat encircles with protective earthworks and protective barriers

The town gates are provided with draw-bridges and iron bars to bolt the town and make it impregnable.

As you wander along this wall there are some lovely sites within this walls

Above - the Basilica San Frediano

We then walked to, and stopped at Piazza Napoleone

for a late Pizza (lunch and dinner) - a great one too!

such a lovely Piazza to relax and eat at

We wandered on past the 11th century - Dome San Martino

and past the other end of the beautiful San Frediano

Dedicated to an Irish Missionary and Bishop (Frediano) - 6th century

Below - we stopped and had a chat with Puccini ( La Boheme) - born in Lucca in 1858.

and then back through the lanes -

Lucca's grid of streets still follows the pattern of the former roman colony founded in 180 BC.

Above is the 13th Century Torre Delle Ore (Clocktower) at 50 meters it is the highest building in Lucca - and this present clock was installed by Louis Simon in 1752.

This moggy looks rested - a serious hint that it is time for us to find our way back to Angeli for our time out me thinks, plan to climb to the top of Guinigi tomorrow!!!.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Fathers and Grandfathers Day - Downunder

Sunday - Fathers Day in NZ , and of course Grandfathers Day in OZ as well. Frank thoroughly enjoyed his call from Ian, and of course had another long and interesting chat with Ethan,

and a very talkative Immy.

young Dan was assisting his Mum with some chef duties .

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Riverfire - on the Brisbane River

What a difference a few months make - it wasn't long ago that this river had flooded and the city of Brisbane (along with other large areas of the State) were basically a disaster, and so many lives lost. Since then all the wharves on the River are back in action and tonight the annual Riverfire event attracted the largest crowd ever to Brisbane to watch this stunning display - the RAAF's Super Hornets above the City commenced the "noise" late afternoon.

Then came the RiverFire!

Queenslanders are recoverers!!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione

It's unfortunately our last day in Sirmione, sun was shining again, we had consumed yet another superb Hotel Pace italian sweet breakfast, - and we did have a few plans for the day - firstly we would walk up the hill to Grotte di Catullo.

"Grotte di Catula" the ruins of a Roman villa - lies at the tip of the Sirmione Peninsular - as in forefront of the photo below.

It is said to be the most splendid example of a private building belonging to the Roman aristocracy in the whole of Northern Italy.

The Villa is rectangular (167 by 105 meters) with two projections on it short sides

and covers more than 5 acres in all

It has a large Olive Orchard

a huge fresh water cistern nearly 43 meters long

Ample baths consisted of several rooms - probably dug out at the beginning of the 2nd century AD - they say.

The Villa itself dates to Augustan times (late first Century BC)

it has incredible views across Lago Garda

And fortunately for the Brig and I, we were the only ones at Catullo at this time of morning.

A superb couple of hours

On our walk back down to town we could see that some early birds had also hit the surrounding beaches.

Back to the lively Piazza Giosue Carducci

To catch our ferry to Gardone Riviera

*******

After our Ferry escapade we decided to have a final roam around Sirmione

The Church above (and it's roof below) is the Santa Maria Maggiore (XV century)

It has some lovely porticos and frescoes

and attractive courtyards overlooking Garda.

Now it's time to find an antipasti stop

to stock up for our last evening's snack

on our Hotel's pontile - a super Sirmione finale.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Faulkners - North Wales

The Faulkners - Frank's sister and husband, their 3 sons, and partners and 2 grandchildren, took a week's family holiday a fortnight ago. This year they chose the Lleyn Peninsula in Northern Wales and rented a large farmhouse for the week.

The Lleyn Peninsular is south of Anglesey and west of Snowdonia- it jutts out into the Irish sea about 30 miles - shaped like a huge finger pointing across to Ireland.