The Brandt Blog

It’s safe to say that after 14 days, Anne’s and my respective bio-rhythms have synched with Florentine astronomical, artistic and geographical cycles. If that commentary seems pretentious and absurd, what can I say? This is where the Renaissance began – SHOUTS OUT to: Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante and DaVinci. If it seems like old people kvetching […]

We came to Firenze figuring that a three month residence would be long enough to force us into local-like routines. This meant packing and planning to a degree so diminished from our previous family trips that our sum-luggage for a 3-month ‘residenza’ could only be considered to be minimalist. “We’ll figure it out when we […]

We drove south to lunch in Chianti… where the regional symbol is the Gallo Nero (Black Rooster). Not to be confused with Merlo Nero (Blackbird) our Villa’s name. Click the link in the caption to read the full story of the famous Chianti Cock. Most importantly, DON’T DRINK ANY CHIANTI without the Gallo Nero. Lacking […]

One week into our ‘residenza in Italia’ we’re feeling good. The Jet-lag has largely departed and we’re greeted with this view each day walking into town.

(Title trans. Morning Joe in Our Villa) So… after mastering the arts/sciences of home barista-ing back in the ‘Ville, searching out that ‘perfect’ brew whilst out of town can be difficult and discouraging. Even in a caffe-centric culture such as Italy, convenience breeds a contemptible compromise. Hence, the utter disappointment seeing that in our villa […]

Some pics of the Fiume (translated: River) Arno from/with it’s famed crossing. Looking: Upstream, Downstream and Mainstream. Yup – EVERYONE who passes through Firenze takes a pic with the revered Ponte Vecchio as a background. Well, everyone except for the little cold-blooded critter who posed for this pic simply on the GROUND of the Ponte […]

Anne asked me how I can concentrate on riding when the views are so beautiful. I reminded her that it’s SAFETY FIRST and CRASHING HURTS! That said, I must have pulled off the road six times to take pics … and this is just the first ride. That dome in the distance … it is […]

Yes – he packs the bike stand, too. 😊