Friday to Sunday 10 to 12 October 2025

On Friday we caught the train into town to have an early dinner with Alyssa at an Italian Restaurant, joining the fully booked venue crowd - eventually for a pre theatre meal. The place was loud and packed but the food was good. Of course, in fine print at the bottom of the menu was the now London ubiquitous, “A 12.5% optional service fee will be added to your bill.” Not bloody likely says Flashy. And to the embarrassment of all and sundry, he asked for it to be removed. “Was something wrong, sir?” “Not at all, he replied. Are you not paid a proper wage? I object on principle.” Was it worth a tip? Not on your nelly. Certainly not £30 worth.

Anyway, of we went to see ‘Operation Mincemeat,’ a show at the West End’s Fortune Theatre. A real WW2 story of Glyndwr Michael, a homeless tramp from the city of London, who died from eating rat bait and whose body was dropped by submarine off the Spanish coast, disguised as a British Officer with fake papers to deceive Hitler that the Allies were not going to invade Sicily. A true occurrence partly devised by Ian Fleming. Sound familiar? Flashy knew this, of course.

What he didn’t know was that the show was a musical and a comedic one at that. After the initial shock of seeing the female leads all dressed as men and breaking into song, he settled back to enjoy a wonderful performance, appreciated with a standing ovation.

Saturday was moving day. So, after packing up, we hit the train to Gatwick, had a seamless check in with Veuling Airlines, a nice lunch at the airport grill and boarded the A319 to Florence. The two hour  flight was full but comfortable. With the sun setting and the traffic building, we taxied into the old part of town to San Firenze Square and our apartment.

The square is lined with restaurants and our apartment is squeezed in between two of them and backs on to a church. Consequently, we are serenaded with street noise and church bells and choirs! Lucky the windows are double glazed. We walked 20 metres across the road for a negroni and a small pasta for dinner.

We were awoken on Sunday by the church bells and walked the 10 minutes around the corner to meet Kathy and Mac at their hotel for breakfast. At 9.30 am, the crowds were thick. By 11.00 am, when we ventured back onto the streets, the tourists were as thick as flies on a wet turd. Not quite the worst case of over-tourism but enough to make Flashy thankful that he was only in Florence for a couple of days. Seriously, you can study more sneakers and baseball caps, fat butts and aimlessly wandering look look click click’s, than see any of the supposedly beautiful architecture.

So, negronis in our little square, with the shades pulled down and with backs to the crowd, eased the painful experience.

And observing the party at the table next to us, as you do since you’re sitting on top of them, Flashy hears a chap say to the waiter, “Is the ravioli any good?” The waiter says “Yes, it is.” “Yeah, but really good? he says” The waiter looks puzzled. I’m sure he was about to say “No it’s disgusting! You should order the beans on toast, or just f**k off!” But no, he just wanders away, shaking his head. We finish our negronis.

Lady P’s gone for a walk. Flashy’s locked himself in the apartment. He may need another negroni soon.

Dinner has been arranged with Kevin and Robin Daynes, who are living here for half the year. Their favourite restaurant is Innocenti Enoteca, two minutes from our apartment, but out of the square and surprisingly not busy or full of tourists. It is a quiet night, with about half the tables occupied. Magnificent fifth century Roman frescoes are exposed on the walls, including the earliest part portrait of Dante.

It was a great meal with matching wines and cooked, portioned and plated in French style, which in Italy is rare. Dinner lasted three and a half hours, with great conversation and nice wines.

Great view down the street.

Packed streets

Magic eraser has removed the tourists heads from this photo.

Wonderful architecture, I think.

Breakfast respite in the 5* hotel.