Hello from St P.
We have had such a good time here – there are 4 of us now and lots of walking.
Last night we glammed up a little and went to the Kirov Ballet at the beautiful Marinisky Theatre. It was a great production of Spartacus. It’s so different even going to the theatre. It started late – everyone just had to cloak their coat ( that cold weather creates another hazard THE COAT) then have a drink (Russian bubbles is not great) then pose for photos! It all takes time so they were late starting. We were in a little box – kind of sitting side on but curved towards the stage. The production was great. Very strong athletic preformances. Huge cast and lovely leading ladies and men (though the girls thought them a little on the gaydar) . There were 2 intervals between the acts – which both lasted 30 mins or so. The crowd move slow here though they certainly know how to push. Although it was thrilling to watch we were a little starving. It started at 7 and finished at 10.45. We caught a taxi back to near our hotel and tried 3 places before finding a restaurant that would serve food at 11pm. It was an ENGLISH pub!
Today a slow start – then a lovely boat ride up the river out to the gulf of Finland and to the Sumer Palace. It is gorgeous there . We walked took photos of the stuning fountains – worked out the ticketing. The Russians haven’t quite worked out how to ticket things to make it easy. A ticket for the ferry , a ticket when you arrive to get into the gardens, a ticket at the Palace to get in a ticket to see the boat house! We worked up a hunger so stopped by the water in the warm sunshine and had soup and mulled wine. YUM.
Ferry back and into the Winter Palace – to use the toilets the internet and make a copy of our photos onto DVD. Pip leaves tomorrow about noon and Phoebe about 4pm. All very sad as we’ve loved having their company.
Pip is off for a grand adventure in London. Please excuse any mistakes – don’t have time to preview!.
Photos next time as they will be on DVD. I hope.
Love to all
Uncategorized
Russia
Finally a computer!
We arrived in Moscow and everything went smoothly in a cab to the hotel. We did well. It was a lovely little hotel really handy to Red Square and all the sights.Lovely rooms and really good staff.
The reason I comment is because in St Petersburg – not so lucky. Hotel not what I would choose! Shame as Phoebe Rouse has now joined us and She and Pip are sharing a small space. Never mind as The weather is fantastic.
We spent yesterday walking,walking, walking and then had to rest before dinner as we had all missed sleep the night before – us because we left Moscow on the Red Arrow train an overnight experience! It was good fun but not great for my sleep. Phoebe had an overnighter from London. So after a good rest we walked some more and found a place called the Idiot! It was recommended some time ago as a good place for drinks and dinner. It was fun and we all had a vodka definately the drink of the country. Yes it’s all true.
St Petersburg and Moscow are BIG GRAND and lacking good places to eat. We took in a Mozart Concert in Moscow and tonight go to the Kirov ballet in St P.Such luxury.
I will try and upload tomorrow now we have found our hotel- though not really up to scratch, does have free internet and a good breakfast.
Also the wedding tradition has continued! We have seen weddings all over St P. Always having photos and looking seductive in their frilly over the top gowns
Keep looking and I hope to have photos.
Last Day in Italy
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| Last night dinner at La Serra |
We had a lovely last day. We went to a beautiful spot for dinner. A little village called La Serra. Roberta knows the owner and he is a very good chef. We wandered around the village first / got some cute little italian boy to take our photo / he was about 6 and very lively.
Then we wandered down to the restaurant for a beautiful dinner. Complementary fried Polenta and sardines. Then followed soups and fish and pork / all yummy. Not to forget the limoni gelato.
It is hard to believe our time in Liguria has come to an end. It,s been so lovely so special being with my two nieces.
This morning we had a little party for Berties birthday. She is 31 and being away from Fabio and the family is hard for her. But she is so great. We shared a Tanti aguri song and then we went to Sarzana for coffee. We ran into Ilaria / the Italian teacher. She is such a funny person. She told us she had met a girl from Australia and it turned out to be the girl we met yesterday at Castlenuovo. The girl who might visit rob in Barca.
We caught the train and arrived in Milan for a good nights sleep before Russia.
Heard from Phoebe Rouse / she is all organised and coming to meet us in St Petersburgh.
Now to dinner our last in Italy. Oh my / what will I choose!
Love fran
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| A toast to Bertie for her Birthday |
Day at Porta dei Marmi
Very exclusive shopping and beach clubs – not public beach that we could see
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| Beach at Porta Dei Marmi |
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| Pip Massi Patrizia |
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| Pip at Castlenuovo |
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| Sitting on the Poo sculpture in Carrara |
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| Dimi, Antonella, Fredrico, me and Pip |
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| Dinner at Patrizia and Massi |
All lovely nights out. Lucky us. More photos later – computer a little slow
Almost time to leave Italy
Our last few days have flown. Pip and I had a little trip to La Spezia yesterday. Bertie was feeling tired and needed a rest so we made her promise to rest and we caught he bus. Not as easy as it sounds here in Italy. Still we made it. We both bought a cashmere cardi and a few little things then on the return trip stopped by Trebiano – another small village nearby .
I’ll show a few more photos – that will give you a look at what we are up to.
The weather has been great. Today we went to Porta dei Marmi – its by the water and very exclusive – with VERY BIG name shops. The markets were on and they were pretty exclusive as well. Wish I could bring home some things!. Bertie did a little shop and we encouraged her! After coffee we went to Castlenuovo – a very OLD town – yes on the top of a hill. It was siesta time and was so quiet. We managed to run into the only other tourists there and they were Australians. Mother and daughter – food reviewers fro Sydney. The daughter may now visit Rob in Barcelona! No not matchmaking just being friendly (though she is Lovely).
This afternoon we’re packing and sorting and planning dinner out. It’s Bertie’s birthday tomorrow – and we leave so we’re having a celebrations tonight.
Ciao Tutti
Dinner at Patri and Massi:
La bella sera
Went to the most beautiful house last night, and enjoyed a lovely meal in the piccolo casa – which for travellers is available for rent.
Think Steve should be here – he would love it so much and we miss him.
Photos soon
Fran
La Bella Vita!
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| On the boat near Lerici |
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| On the boat to Portovenere |
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| Lunch in Telarno |
 Overlooking the Cinque Terre coast |
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| An Italian wedding – Portovenere |
Ciao tutti….. It’s now a week since arriving in Italy and I think my Italian is improving. Yesterday Pip and I went into Sarzana a town near here. There were markets on and we finally worked out the bus timetable. We wanted to give Bertie time at home – she has assignments to do and we have been taking up all her time. So saimo andati on the bus. We did so well working it all out that I gave INSTRUCTIONS in italian to an italian bus driver . He was driving along and pulled up to ask where a piazza was – he was a tour bus so I – IN MY BEST ITALIAN gave him directions. Very funny. We caught the bus to Tolarno – if it were down the coast a little it would make the Cinque Terre the Six Terre! It was gorgeous and pretty and hilly, little houses up and down, rough waves , people walking – but locals . We even saw a birthday party for a little girl called Aurora. The little girls were running all over the village.
We caught the bus back down the coast to Lerici and Bertie picked us up at 6. We went out with her friends Patrizia and Massimo to a local and very popular pizza place. It was packed with young locals and chatting and using their mobile phones.
We called into another friend Gabrielle – a builder who has renovated his house and has a lovely apartment underneath. It’s about 5 mins from Bertie’s place and easy distance from the coast – so if anyone wants and authentic italian experience – its the place.
Today another italian lesson with Illaria. It’s one on one and I learn alot.
Well I can hear the church bells and so its time to go – andiamo!. I’ll download some photos now.
Just returned from our day today.
Italian lesson followed by lunch outside Sarzana on a little agritourismo . Had the local speciality Panigarci. Then went to a beautiful winery for a tasting. Now for a sleep before dinner out with friends
Saturday in Lerici
Last night we got lots of rain – after going to Massa , where Roberta had a doctors app. She is now 28 weeks pregnant and looking radiant. We met her sister-in-law there as she is helping with Fabio away on the boat. We stopped in for a lovely meal on the way home and woke to blue skies again today. We went to the markets in Lerici and then took the boat across to Portovenere, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Had a great walk around there – spotting my highlight of the day (see below). Went also to the cemetery overlooking the sea. What a place. Caught the bus to the next little town of La Grazie a quiet little bay with lots of boats. we had a quiet lunch , a delicious gelato – new flavours for me mela verde and melone! We’re going to Antonella’s for dinner with her husband and young son. They live in Carrara so we’ll be seeing some marble.
HIGHLIGHT of the DAY: Seeing two weddings at Portovenere. One was very stylish with the guest dressed in gorgeous dress – navy being the latest fashion. Will post photos when I upload them.
Day 2 & 3
Ciao,
Weather here is so beautiful and we are getting out along the beautiful coast. Lerici the closest little village by the sea is just gorgeous and we’ve been there for diner, gelato, a paddle, a little shop etc.
Yesterday Pip and I went on the train to Portofino. It is just lovely – you’ve probably seen it in movies as its the playground for the rich and famous. It was such a lovely visit and the highlight of the day was the blue water and the amerena gelato!
Last night we had some friends of Roberta’s for dinner. I had suggested I cook . It’s so hard in a little unknown kitchen! But I managed to turn out some little pastry squares with pesto, tomato and feta followed by chicken sort of morrocan style with cous cous.
Roberta made a delicious pav and we had a great night on the terrace. Her friend Massimo plays guitar so we sang along and tried to speak Italian – as they had limited English. Roberta is speaking so well now. With Fabio away she is really pushed into it.
Today another Italian lesson with Alaria in near by Sarzana an lovely town back from the coast.
HIGHLIGHT: Dinner on the terrace with Italian friends
frans travel tales 