Back on terra firma - if that describes Venice.

 Well we have completed the arduous task we set ourselves of a cruise in the Mediterranean and are now in Florence via Venice.

Perhaps the most interesting thing that happened in Venice was the quest before we sailed for a laundromat. Our infallible guide the Lonely Planet assured us one was to be found just a few hundred metres from our hotel, so off we set dirty clothes at the ready.

If you haven't been to Venice you will probably not appreciate the way unlikely shops are to be found in even more unlikely places down impossibly narrow streets.

We looked and looked and finally asked a local. She was only too happy to help and even seemed pleased someone wanted to make use of the "facility",  and pointed out what you see below. More language problems or is that what the Lonely Planet really meant?

Either way washing on Venice would have been a near criminal waste of time. What a strange, fascinating and wonderful place!

Picture perfect in every direction.

Venice of course punctuated our cruise, we sailed from and returned to Venice. Something we did with some 15 to 18 thousand other people on both days. There were 5 or 6 cruise ships sailing and berthing the days we did, busy is something of an understatement.

Greg, it appears the Strom Troopers have been busy in Corfu, we spied this up a narrow street. Holding out on us?

Now we are in Florence sleeping in a building begun in the 11th century with a more modern addition completed in the 15th century. You have to think about that for a minute or  two for it to sink in. The new bit predates Columbus sailing or Luther nailing his theses. The old part was being built while William was doing his conquering. The owner assures us the roof is original and from inside is a wonder to behold, terra-cotta tiles laid on timbers and cemented from above.

We spent some hours today in the museum which houses among other thing Michelangelo's David. Also among the exhibits are the most exquisitely hand written ledgers for entering and leaving the city. It was illuminated! The fellow either took pride in his work or didn't have any where enough to do.

The buildings, everything has a pride of workmanship and attention to detail which is nothing short of amazing.