Bologna; home of Spag Bol!

Day 519 (12/9/09) Steps 14123
Sitting eagerly by the laptop at 6am, we were shattered when neither radio station/s could be streamed over the internet. The lack of mobile reception added to our frustration when we tried to phone home (via skype) to get a score update. Disappointed we went back to sleep for a couple hours... to await the results. Which were disappointing Tarra failing to go through undefeated and mixed feelings with Beechworths lose to Tallangatta. We tucked into a late breaky and caught the train back to Florence. We stored our bags and roamed aimlessly through the flea markets making our way up to Michelangelo's Piazza for some magnificant views of arguably Italy's most beautiful city. We soaked up the atmosphere watching the hoards of tourists come and go, three brides pose for perfect pics and settled in listening to a great band on the steps as the sun began to set. We returned to the city centre to have dinner with Sean and Katrin (who feature in our African adventure) from Germany. They had a trialling day with a minor car accident, hence were running late, nearly ran out of fuel, then a diesal mishap over the shorts followed by the difficult task of finding a car park in Florence (all the reasons why we don't drive in Italy!!). Nonetheless we had a lovely dinner as time soon disappeared and it was time for us to head off for Bolonga. We said our goodbyes promising to catch up again soon, collected our bags from storage and caught the next train to Bologna the home of spaghetti Bolognase (even if they don't call Spag Bol!). After a thirty minute delay, during which we debated swapping trains, until finally we started rolling only they didn't open the seating so we sat cramped in the entrance between the door and our huge bags for the hour journey. We arrived at Bologna, caught a Taxi to the Astor Hotel (a rude and uninviting place where everything is extra!) and called it a night.

Day 520 Steps 10813
After a sleep in, we caught the bus into the centre after some entertaining sign language with a helpful Italian lady and grabbed some brunch. We meandered the near empty streets (not much happens on a Sunday in Bologna) past the Fontana Neptune (Jez's favourite Fountain), the impressive Palazzo Commule Buildings and the Le Due Torrie (Bologna's own pair of Leaning Towers). We roamed the antique market with everything from grammaphones, old scuba gear to original old school rayban, through the University Quarter and past the Gucci, Armani and Louis Vuitton for a bit of window shopping. Back to our room for a some further planning and back out to dinner for.... Spag Bol of course!

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