Our last day is filled with poignancy. We’ve crafted and settled into such a comfortable and happy Florentine routine it’s a little hard to fathom that our ‘Residenza’ in Firenze has, after 84 days come to its end. In a single word, “we’re sad to leave and excited to return home.”
Such as it is, after jam-packing our suitcases, dismantling and crating the bike and submitting to the requisite humiliations of swabbing our noses while ZOOMING a faceless ‘COVID test proctor’ we are cleared for takeoff. Woo!!!
The day went by pretty quickly. Anne and I respectively took our Morning Walk and Ride, logged in for the COVID test (two negatives 😊), Rental Car Return, Lunch, Packing, off to Dinner and ended with our so-named VICTORY LAP through Piazza del Duomo.
Arrivederci and Ciao to Firenze. We will see y’all soon!! ❤️❤️😘😘🇮🇹🇮🇹🇺🇸🇺🇸
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That’s a slice of Pigeon Pie. When I told the server and ristorante Matron at Sunday dinner how much I LOVED it they pronto booked us a lunch table for Thursday to enjoy the piece of the pie they saved for me. 🥲🥲 Waiter said it was a large portion. Grazie Mille 😘😘The view walking into town that, as we say, “never gets old.” Arrivederci Fiume Arno!!Seated in a cozy little corner in a fave bar/ristorante near Centro Storico for our last supper. It’s customary that we take so-called “Victory Laps” on the final night of our trips. Even as our figurative cups runneth over, the stroll is a warm and fuzzy Brandt Fam tradition.
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I took my 76th ride … putting me over 2,500 miles for the duration with nearly as many pics, to be sure. I’ll miss everything about cycling here. ❤️🇮🇹🚴🏻♂️
This stretch of pavement is the beginning of a climb made famous by Gino Bartali – the legendary cyclist from Florence – that begins to the immediate left out of our Villa’s gate. Legend has it that he took it ‘no handed’ … I don’t. I can’t!!Now departing Grassina’s city limits. Hillside town that transitions along Route 222 from commercial to country. Departing Greve – the town is perfectly placed and equipped for a mid-ride Caffe refueling. Buh-bye, Ferrone. A small River town that is kind of a hub for 3-4 different routes.The Greve River valley is home to many factories. And while the museum crowds ooh, aah and marvel at David’s ‘MARBLE’ … I guess his ‘marbles’ were cast, not carved. 😜🙄This is the view of the Certosa Convent/School descending into Galuzzo. When I see this … I know I’m just about back in the city.The Old Vintner statue welcomes visitors into the north end of Chianti. I’m going the other way, this time. Arrivederci Signore. Ciao, Ciao!Departing Firenze. ‘Nuf Said. 🥲
Wow! What a trip!
I’m a little teary eyed seeing you leave and I’m sitting at my boring kitchen table! I will miss your updates!
Safe travels home and God Bless!
Ciao, Ciao!
The Brandt Blog 
April 8, 2022 at 06:43
Wow! What a trip!
I’m a little teary eyed seeing you leave and I’m sitting at my boring kitchen table! I will miss your updates!
Safe travels home and God Bless!
Ciao, Ciao!
April 8, 2022 at 15:13
Grazie Mille! We love that you followed and hope we can get together pronto! 😘😘