Vinci

Last night, we slept much better, but still woke up early, as we do every morning. Over breakfast we discussed our loose plan for the day. We say loose, because the plan has a habit of changing due to circumstances. Which is just what happened today. We had originally decided to visit Florence, being so close by, it seemed wrong not to take the opportunity. We had read on the internet that some people had, had their vans broken into there, but we sourced a recommended 'secure' car park on the internet, and set off. As always we mistimed our arrival, It was 12 noon, just the time the Italians break for lunch, and it seemed like every car, scooter and motorbike had taken to the roads. But Marge, now fairly fearless, having learnt a few tricks on Italian driving, got amongst the people of Florence. Upon arriving at the recommended car park, which sounded perfect, as it would have only been a fifteen minute cycle ride into the city, we both had the same gut feeling, as did the German couple who arrived just after us. The van would not be safe here.

So we changed our plans, and thought about moving onto Lucca. But after some research on the internet, we decided to also give it a miss, as van security there was also a major problem.

So after our false starts, we headed straight to tonight's aire, at the small town of Vinci. Yes, as in the one and only, Leonardo da Vinci, inventor, painter, sculpture, master of drawing. He was born in Anchiano, a nearby village. As it had been so hot today, we decided to do the sensible thing, and walk up to the town later in the afternoon.

It was a fifteen minute walk to the town, uphill as always. The town was quiet, the day visitors now gone, leaving just a few local people, and the camper people from the aire to mill around, which was great, as we were able to take a lot of photographs without some random person appearing in it. Except for Angela, who always seems to have the same man wandering into the shot.

The views from the town, of the breathtaking Tuscan countryside were amazing from every angle. As we walked around taking in the sights and exhibits, the heady smell of jasmine, growing up the walls of the houses and restaurants, filled the air.

We took a look inside the church, where Leonardo was baptised, the original font used, still in there today. The modern lectern and alter of carved olive wood were stunning.

Tomorrow, we will head back to the town to visit the four Leonardo museums. This evening we obtained a map from the Tourism office, so we are already to go. It will be nice to be able to set off straight after breakfast, without having to drive somewhere, find somewhere to park Marge, and then tired from the heat and the travelling, set off on foot to explore.

Four weeks tomorrow, we return to England. We can't believe how quickly this last week has passed by. To date we have now travelled just over 2,600 miles.

But for now, we will enjoy the bells from Vinci's church, which we can see from our aire, and the late evensong of the birds.