London with the Grady-Brandons

After getting back from Italy that Sunday evening, I woke up bright and early Monday so I could take a 777 across the English Channel. I still find this to be a bit excessive, but when the Eurostar charges €370 I am not left with many choices. Regardless, I made it to London went to Aunt Sue, Uncle John and Dave's hotel and gave them a lovely wake-up call then we all enjoyed a day of sightseeing. We had a nice breakfast, rode the London Eye, went to the Turner exhibit at the Tate Britain and had a nice Indian dinner. And the weather was excellent.


Cousin Dave on the London Eye


Aunt Sue and Uncle John on the London Eye




They should really clean the windows...


Look kids, Parliament


Quite the view


Aunt Sue, Dave and me


London Eye pod


More of the view

Christmas in Italy

After much internal debate and several somewhat crazy ideas, I settled on going to Italy for Christmas. The original plan was to fly to Milan, visit with Ilaria, train to Bologna, visit with Francesco then take the night train to his town in Puglia in southern Italy.

However, Mother Nature had a different plan. Tuesday morning (at 6 am) I am on the airplane to Italy, we get the safety schpiel and push back only for the captain to come on the PA and say that the airport in Milan was closed because of the snow. Wonderful. I eventually get a ticket to go to Bologna the next day. Thus I didn't get to go to Milan but it is probably for the best as the trains in northern Italy were also severely impacted by the snow.

So I get to Bologna, meet up with Francesco, go for aperitivo (buy one overpriced drink and enjoy the delicious buffet of Italian snacks!) and go for a tour of the city.


Francesco with gelato


It was rather cold, hence the frozen rain gutter


Francesco!


Piazza maggiore


Sasn Petronio Basilica


Blurry Christmafied tower


Christmas decorations in Bologna

After a brief afternoon/evening in Bologna, Francesco and I got the night train to Puglia (the heel of the boot) and to his hometown of Manfredonia. We only had to wait in the sub-freezing weather for 90 minutes before the train came. Then we got on the train and it, too, was freezing. Moreover, one of our compartment mates would not stop talking in the entire 5 hour train ride. But we soldiered on and eventually made it to the south where it was a wonderful 60 degrees. Needless to say, I was a happy camper.

Upon arrival in the lovely town of Manfredonia, Francesco and I napped. Then we ate at delicious lunch. Later we went out with his brother and I got a nice tour of the town and surrounding area before going home for a phenomenal Christmas Eve dinner.


The main street in Manfredonia


Christmas decorations in Manfredonia


The castle


Part of the castle walls


The sea at night


The castle from an alternate angle


I fratelli Falcone on the beach

Snow in Brussels

Before Christmas Brussels actually got a substantial (well, substantial for Brussels) amount of snow, ie 3 inches. It made getting around a bit tricky but made the view from my widow quite lovely.


The European Parliament with snow


I am extremely fond of this view.